DV (Developed Vetting) is the highest level of UK national security clearance in common use. It is required for posts that need frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets or codeword material, and it is the standard for intelligence work, senior defence programmes, and the most sensitive nuclear roles. DV is significantly more thorough than SC clearance: it adds a full review of your personal finances, a detailed personal interview, and interviews with your referees. As a result it typically takes around 6 to 9 months to obtain, sometimes longer, and is managed by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) on behalf of a sponsoring employer.
What DV clearance allows you to do
DV grants frequent, uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET material and to TOP SECRET codeword information. It is also required for frequent uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material and for certain highly classified material originating from allied countries or international organisations. In practice you will see DV demanded for roles in the intelligence agencies, senior and specialist defence positions, and high-security programmes where the consequences of compromise are most severe.
What checks are involved
DV starts from a completed BPSS and a DV security questionnaire, then goes well beyond SC. It includes:
- a departmental or company records check;
- checks of both spent and unspent criminal records;
- a credit and financial history check;
- a check of Security Service records;
- a full review of personal finances: assessing assets, liabilities, income and expenditure, both for you individually and jointly with a spouse or partner;
- a detailed interview conducted by a trained investigating officer, typically lasting around three hours;
- further enquiries, including interviews with your referees.
Checks can extend to third parties named on your questionnaire. The interview is a routine part of DV (unlike SC, where it is the exception) and is usually conducted by video call, though some are face to face.
How long does DV clearance take?
DV is the slowest clearance to obtain. A realistic expectation is 6 to 9 months, and in periods of high demand or with complex personal histories it can run beyond that. The depth of the financial review and the need to arrange and conduct interviews are the main reasons it takes so much longer than SC. There is no guaranteed timeline: only your sponsoring employer, working with UKSV, can give you a current estimate.
As with SC, you can help your application move faster by submitting complete and accurate information, keeping detailed residential and financial records, and responding promptly to follow-up requests.
How long does DV clearance last?
Cabinet Office policy is that DV is formally reviewed at least every 7 years, and sooner if the risk owner sets a shorter validity period or a specific concern arises. Renewal is initiated by your sponsor and carries the same mandatory checks as the original DV, though it may exclude the referee interview.
Who is eligible for DV?
Because DV needs a verifiable long-term history, a substantial period of continuous UK residency, commonly cited as around ten years, is generally expected so that meaningful checks can be carried out. Many DV roles are restricted to British nationals, and the intelligence agencies require British citizenship or dual British nationality. Non-British and dual nationals may be considered for some DV roles, but the bar is higher than for SC and is assessed case by case.
For the wider eligibility picture, see Do you need security clearance to work in defence?.
A note on enhanced DV (eDV)
Above DV sits enhanced DV (eDV), used for a very small number of agreed posts requiring even greater assurance. It can only be requested by a limited set of sponsors with prior agreement from UKSV and the Cabinet Office, and adds family, travel and additional interview elements.
Where to go next
- Browse current DV-cleared defence roles
- What is SC clearance and how long does it take?
- UK security clearance levels explained
Sources: United Kingdom Security Vetting clearance-levels guidance (gov.uk) for access levels, checks and review periods; processing-time ranges are indicative and drawn from UK defence recruiters. Confirm requirements and timelines with the sponsoring employer.