U.S. Department of State

Hello, everyone!

It looks like I'm no longer in the running for the China CALNA position, sadly. (Best of luck to you all!)

I'm a little puzzled why I was denied country authorization, like a few other posters on this forum. Is there someone I could talk to in order to find out what DoS' policy is on country authorization? I still want to work for the Foreign Service in the future, and hope that this does not prevent me from doing so.

really sorry to hear that DC visitor. This makes me increasingly nervous too. I wonder if anyone has been disqualified for Brazil on that basis?

Wow DC Visitor, I'm so sorry. Bumping this thread up in hopes we can get a little insight on country authorization.

As the CALNA Vacancy Announcements indicate, in addition to a top-secret security clearance, candidates must obtain and maintain “a country-specific authorization to serve.”

There are a number of reasons why a candidate might not obtain that authorization, but country-specific authorization is most often denied because the candidate has close family, personal or professional ties in the country that could result in pressure being placed upon the candidate or the candidate’s family. The finding is in no way a reflection of a failing on the part of the candidate; it is, rather, a reflection of realities in some parts of the world. It is not a denial of security clearance.

There are a number of Foreign Service Officers who are not authorized to serve in countries where they have relatives and close friends. With generalists or most specialists, this lack of authorization means that the candidate may not work in that specific country, but is free to be assigned anywhere else on the globe. Unfortunately, for the Consular Adjudicator positions, the assignments are designated for a single country. Therefore, a finding that a candidate is not authorized to serve in that country essentially ends that candidacy.

Candidates who do not obtain a country-specific authorization would be welcome to apply for other Foreign Service positions, as it’s a very big world out there, with lots of places to serve.

So if we have relatives (not immediate family) in China, should we even bother applying?

Similar point: will the spouse of a Brazilian whose family members (inlaws of the applicant) reside in Brazil automatically be found inelligible to serve in Brazil?

Not necessarily. The decision will be made after your SF-86 is reviewed.

I would like to inquire when I received the denial of country clearance, I was not informed of whether I received the security clearance. Do these two go hand in hand? If not, how do I find out what security eligibility I have received as the result of SF 86?

Thanks.

Very good question.

Should we even bother applying if we have contacts in a certain country? Say, contacts on Facebook? Just because a person may know people in the country doesn't mean that person should be barred from serving in that country. I mean, it was the fact that we lived in that country and yes, made friendships, that gave us the ability to speak the language and therefore made us able to apply for this job in the first place. So it does not follow reason to bar a person from serving in a country simply because they may have acquaintances there. This knowledge will only make people withhold that kind of information on the SF-86.

Should a person go through their facebook account and "unfriend" all the people they may know in that country? Maybe so.