Fema Employment

Canada, federal government security clearance, is there any time limit for new Immigrants to get it?

As an immigrant of Canada, do I have the federal government security clearance? If not, is there any time limit to get it? I am new immigrant to Canada, there is a job opportunity which needs federal security clearance. When I told the job agency, that I am a new immigrant, they said I would have been stayed in the country for 5 years, to get the clearance. Is it true? What exactly is the time limit to get the clearance? Thanks for your response Jim. I am looking for a job in Information Technology. Couple of job agencies approached me regarding some job opportunities (which need federal clearance), when I told them that I do not have the clearance currently and I am a new immigrant, they are not continuing the discussion. Is it not that the employer is going to get the clearance for me if I get selected? I thought clearance is not that something that one can get on his/her own, the recruiting organization has to do, isn’t it? How come I am being asked if I already have clearance? What would I say if someone asks me if I have federal clearance? I appreciate your help. Thanks Tadepalli

Public Comments

1. Being accepted by the Canadian Government, as a legal Immigrant, does NOT give you ANY security clearance, at all. In order to be employed by either the Federal Government, or any Provincial Government in Canada you MAY have to have a security background check done, depending on the actual job that you are applying for. To be a roads worker, driving a street sweeping machine, does not require any security checks , but to handle money, or work in a position that involves Government secrets or confidential customer information, does. Security clearances are done by the RCMP, our national Police Service, along with the Canadian Intelligence Security Service, our national investigative group. It is NOT dependant on how long you have lived in Canada. It is dependant on your being an honest person, who has no criminal record in Canada, or in your home country. You close familiy will also be investigated, for political or criminal connections, in the past. Lets be clear about this...........If a person does not want to work in a Government job, they do not have to have a security clearance. They can live in Canada all their life with out the need for one. Jim b. Toronto.