Nationality rules

The following rules relate to a candidate applying for employment at GCHQ. Please read them carefully to ensure that you comply with them.

Nationality

A. You must be a British citizen (but see Note 1), and
B. One of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties with the United Kingdom or, if deceased, have had such citizenship or ties before death. (see Note 2).

Note 1: If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. If successful, you will normally be required to be prepared to give up your non-British nationality as a condition of your confirmation of appointment to GCHQ.

Note 2: For this purpose a person has "substantial ties" if: a. that person holds citizenship of a British Dependent Territory, is a British Overseas citizen, holds citizenship of the Commonwealth, holds the status of a British protected person, holds the status of a British National Overseas, holds EEA nationality, or citizenship of the United States of America and: b. has a demonstrable connection with the United Kingdom by way of family history or period of residence in, or other service to, the United Kingdom.

General guidance on spouses and cohabitees

A candidate married to or living with a person who is not a British citizen remains eligible for employment at the discretion of the department.

Candidates should note that marriage to, or co-habitation with a person who is not a British citizen after appointment may in some circumstances result in withdrawal of security clearance and transfer to another Department, or (if this is not possible or the officer does not wish to transfer) dismissal. Each case will be considered on its merits, taking into account the ties between the person involved and the United Kingdom.

Residence

Candidates for employment at GCHQ must normally have been resident in the UK for 10 years prior to the date of their application. You may nonetheless be considered if (for example):

• You have been serving overseas with HM forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HMG.
• You were studying or took a gap year abroad.
• You were living overseas with your parents.

The above is not definitive. If you are uncertain as to your eligibility, please contact the GCHQ Recruitment Office.

In such cases, you must be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas.

The duration of your residence overseas and the country in which you lived will also be relevant.

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