Job Discussion Forums

bowra · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

So after more than a year teaching in Korea, I am set to be given the flying boot after this contract since I have a DWI on my record. Korean Immigration now requires a FBI criminal check, which will turn up the DWI. I have been assured that I will likely be refused another visa since DWI is a "serious offence" in Korea. In reality, the more stringent requirements are in place simply to limit the number of teachers who come here.

The question then becomes, as I have committed three years to teaching abroad, where will I be able to get a visa? What are the various requirements for visas throughout Asia? Specifically the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand. I haven't done a lot of research on CBC visa requirements as I hadn't really thought of them as an impediment, but obviously now I see that I should do my homework.

Thanks in advance.

tttompatz

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

Is a DWI driving without insurance? Cause I have a DUI and I got a work permit in China and Turkey with no problems. You could try there.

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

I was told that Taiwan does require a CRC, but that unlike Korea they actually look at the offense and that not all offenses disqualify you. At least that's what the company I spoke with told me. I have a record for a misdemeanor possession of alcohol 20 years ago..... I was told that would be ok. But that if I had something serious like a violent felony or drug possession charge that it might not be ok (probably would not be).

In most states a state CRC and the FBI CRC will show the exact same offenses since they both use the same computerized national database. A state check might be quicker, but it depends on the State. So I would go ahead and get the FBI one. The FBI takes a long time because they actually run your fingerprints. Accessing the data itself though is very fast. Whenever you are pulled over by the police for a ticket they access the same database using your driver's license (so they can decide if they want to check you out more or not). If, for example, you have a lengthy criminal record then you can bet that the police will spend more time checking out your proof of insurance and such, than they would someone who has a clean record.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

In any case, I was caught drink driving a long time ago, and managed to get work permits in China, Turkey and Korea with no criminal background checks.

Korea didn't have so many hoops to jump through when I was working there. Now the red tape seems to multiply each year, while the salaries are either static, or marginally increased. I wonder what their next added requirement will be...?

kazpat · Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Kazakhstan

The FBI check is done against the III (interstate identification index) database. They use fingerprints to pull the records. States have their own databases, some of which are supported by prints, some are not.

When a state runs a criminal check they specifically have to check the III to get out of state records. States report offenses to the FBI by fingerprint card submissions, seeing the Feds use AFIS to pull the records. Did you get printed at the time of the arrest or any other time during the case? If not there may be no FBI record of the arrest but a state record. Also some states are lax in reporting non felony arrests to the FBI. You might just get lucky and have a FBI check come back clean.

Sometimes arresting officers don't finger print drunk driving arrests because their particular department only requires certain offenses to be printed and or then sent on to the FBI. States submitting data to the FBI is voluntary and not compulsory. The FBI will admit the III is not complete.

There has been some media attention on repeat drunk driving offenders getting arrested in another state and there be no record of the prior offenses since a state failed to make a timely or any submission of the arrest fingerprint card to the FBI.

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

Madame J · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 12:09 am Post subject:

Indonesia doesn't care.

kazpat · Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Kazakhstan

A Ver · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 29 Location: España

I'm not sure what kind or records search is done when you walk into your local US police agency, but if you go to your particular state's centralized CRC source, they seldom, if ever, report any activity that occurred outside the state in their CRC that they provide you. One of the only exceptions may be if there is a sex offender status involved.

If you look on many state websites it will specifically tell you that the CRC they provide you does not cover nation-wide data.

That is probably why more and more places require an FBI check -- especially since only recently you could get an authenticated / notarized FBI CRC. Not so long ago it was just a returned fingerprint card with a rubber stamp on the back.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

China looks like it's going to be becoming one of the places in China to earn money. Taiwan, Japan and Korea aren't what the used to. With the exchange rates and the salaries going up, you serioulsy might want to consider gonig there.

Are you sure that a DWI or DUI would prohibit you from getting a visa? I'd ask and check. They might be looking for more serious crimes, such as child molesters, etc. I would definitely ask.