It’s extremely helpful to know the reasons why you may fail a security clearance especially considering that certain jobs require you to have a security clearance in the UK, including many IT jobs. Whether you work as a contractor or as a full-time employee, these clearances are often needed because you’ll usually have access to confidential information while you’re on the job.

There’s a certain process you have to go through when you’re trying to get a security clearance. The first step is filling out some paperwork with information that is required to prove that you are trustworthy.

Before you do this, you might be curious about some of the things they look for once they receive your application. If you get denied, there are generally five reasons why it has happened, and they are as follows.

If you have a criminal record, this is a red flag to the authorities completing your security clearance. That being said, the crime committed has to present a potential threat for it to count against you.

Regarding criminal records, here is what they look at most:

• The severity of the crime
• How often you committed the crime
• What, if any, risks it will pose that affect your trustworthiness and your reliability
• The specifics of the crime; for example, the reason you committed the crime

Naturally, it’s never a good idea to hide facts about any crimes you’ve committed, even if you think they’re minor. If you conceal something and they find out about it later, it will affect the impression they have of you and you will likely fail the security clearance.

Always be forthcoming when listing and describing your criminal record. To do otherwise will only make things worse for you.

The security clearance application has to be filled out completely. This is a more common reason to fail a security clearance than you may think.

You also need to include any documents they ask for, such as birth certificate, utility bills, or anything else that proves your identity.

Even if you leave something off of the application accidentally, it may count against you.

You’ll also be asked questions and be expected to answer every single one of them to be considered safe to work with.

The best piece of advice regarding this application is to make sure it is filled out completely before it is turned in. Otherwise, it can mean an automatic rejection from the vetting authorities.

Other reasons to fail a security clearance may be that the vetting officials will look for gaps in your employment record and if you have any, you’ll need to explain why. This is especially true if you have long gaps in between certain jobs.

It isn’t that the gaps themselves can cause your security clearance to get rejected. Instead, the officials are more concerned with why these gaps exist.

If you do have gaps in your employment record, it’s a good idea to let them know what you were doing during those time periods.

If you were in school, for example, they likely won’t be too concerned about the gap.

Just like the recommendation mentioned above, it’s a smart idea to be honest and detailed on any of the questions they ask you.

If you recently moved to the UK, your security clearance will likely be rejected.

This is because you have to have lived in the country for four out of the past five years to pass the security clearance.

This isn’t a reflection on your character, of course, so if you get denied for this reason, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Some people think that if you have debt, your security clearance will be denied.

However, that is not the case.

When the vetting officials look at your financial information, they’ll look to see how well you’re managing that debt.

Again, be forthcoming with the information so they can get a complete picture when it comes to your finances.

In other words, they’re trying to figure out if you can be trusted with any type of financial asset.

If they believe you cannot be trusted, you will fail the security clearance.

People get frustrated when they fail a UK security clearance, especially if they’re not aware of the reasons to fail a security clearance in the first place, but don’t take it personally.

It could be something simple, such as they need additional information or documentation from you.

Fortunately, there is an appeal process that you can follow when you’re denied. But first, they will most often tell you why you are being rejected.

The appeal process is done in two steps.

The first is an internal appeal, and as soon as you hear back from them, you can decide what to do next.

The second step is a final appeal, which goes through the Security Vetting Appeals Panel (SVAP).

You must file this final appeal within 28 days of receiving the results of your internal appeal.

So, what can you do to increase the odds that your UK security clearance will pass? First of all, learn about the five steps mentioned above that are crucial to the results of your application.

Whatever they ask for in your application, you’ll need to provide it to them.

Don’t fill out just part of the application and think they’ll accept that – because they won’t!

The more detailed and comprehensive your application is, the better off you’ll be in the end.

If they believe you are hiding anything from them, they’ll automatically reject your security clearance.

UK security clearances go up to Top Secret, and in addition to the application, you’ll have to be interviewed in person by a MOD official.

While their goal is for the process to be completed within four to six weeks, in reality it can take up to three months.

If you’re applying for a security clearance and you have any questions, don’t be shy about asking the person in charge so that you can get your answers.

While the process sounds complex, it’s really very simple.

It’s mostly a matter of waiting for the process to be completed, and that is much easier than it sounds.

Written by Lucid Support