The vetting process
If, after your job interviews you are offered work, you will enter what we call the ‘Developed Vetting' process. This takes, on average, about six months to complete. You will be visited by a Vetting Officer who will conduct a detailed interview covering your character, family history and personal circumstances. Your referees, who know you socially or from an educational/work environment, will also be interviewed as part of this process.
You may not hear much from us during the vetting process, but you can be confident we'll be working behind the scenes on your behalf.
It is unlikely we will consider you for a position in GCHQ if you:
- Have used Class A drugs (e.g. ecstasy, cocaine, etc) in the last 12 months.
- Have used Class B/C drugs (e.g. amphetamines, cannabis, etc) in the last 6 months.
- Are currently being treated for an addiction (e.g. alcohol, gambling, etc) or have received such treatment in the last 12 months.
- Have ever suffered from bi-polar disorder or a psychotic illness.
- Are currently bankrupt or the subject of an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).
Also, please remember what GCHQ is - an intelligence agency - if you wish to apply for a position here you must limit those you tell about your application to your immediate family (parents and/or siblings) and your partner.
Note: In order to obtain Developed Vetting Security Clearance, you must be 18 or over at the time of entry.
FAQs
Q: What is the security vetting process?
A: Checks are carried out only so far as is necessary to safeguard national security in the light of the current assessment of threats to security. All applicants for relevant posts are asked to complete Security Questionnaires. The questionnaires explain the purpose of the process and set out in full the Government’s statement on security vetting policy.
Q: Is Developed Vetting intrusive?
A: The checks can be intrusive but are only carried out to the level necessary to safeguard national security. You are not obliged to go through the vetting process but, if you choose not to do so, you will not be appointed to a post for which DV clearance is required.
Q: What about equal opportunities and human rights?
A: All applicants for security vetting are treated impartially and consistently, irrespective of their gender, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
Q: Will the information obtained during the security vetting process remain confidential?
A: All information obtained will be treated in strict confidence and protected from unauthorised access.
Q: How is my nationality relevant?
A: Dual nationality is not in itself an automatic bar to DV clearance, but we need to know what links you have with other countries so we can assess whether there are any security implications. If you have dual nationality or you think you might be entitled to other nationalities, you should let us know at the earliest opportunity. Click here to view our Nationality & Security page.
Q: Do I have to have lived in the UK for a set period of time?
A: To enable appropriate checks to be carried out you will normally have had to have lived in the UK for the past ten years. However, there are exceptions to the rule, for example if you have been studying abroad or living overseas with your parents.
Q: Who should be nominated as referees and what will they be asked?
A: Referees will normally (though not necessarily) be people you have nominated. They should be people who know you well and who, between them, have known you for a significant period of your life. Typically they will be personal friends, tutors, and employers. They will be asked to describe your background, character, way of life, attitudes and abilities in order to provide a rounded picture of you as an individual.
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