Job Discussion Forums

Kenny Kimchee · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Fukuoka Japan

Hello everyone,

I'm considering coming to teach in Vietnam. I am an American. I have taught in Asia for the past ten years. For the past two years I have lived in the Philippines; before that, I was in Korea for three years, etc. I know that I have to get a CBC for my home country.

My question is, do I have to get a CBC for the Philippines? Do I have to get one for Korea? For every country I have lived in?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

UpScope · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 82

[quote] My question is, do I have to get a CBC for the Philippines?

No

[quote] Do I have to get one for Korea?

No

[quote] For every country I have lived in?

No, just your home country is enough.

Kenny Kimchee · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Fukuoka Japan

Thank you for the reply. Next question:

In the sticky at the top of the page, some people say the FBI background check is acceptable, while others (e.g. this site http://saigonalive.blogspot.com/2010/09/step-3-documentation-before-you-leave.html ) say it has to be issued by the State Department of Public Safety. Which is correct?

Thanks again.

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

From what I understand, you get one from where you've been for the last 6 months. If you're still in the Philippines, you get one from there. That said, get one from your home country if you can.

Yes, State Department of Public Safety or equivalent (depending on the state) for the highest chance of success. Check out names and address of these offices on that same website and do it through that office.

If it means you have to go back to the States or whatever, you can also come here for 6 mos. and get local.

UpScope · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 82

CT is correct, if you can get one from the country where you have lived for the last 6 months, that will suffice.

Otherwise, best option is to get one from home. This will always cause the least amount of hassle.

Bold As Love · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 39 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

My experience is that the foreigner must get it from the home country, or if you have been living in VN for at least 6 months you can get it here.

I am an American, have been living in Thailand for the past four years, but had to get it from the local police department in the city where I lived in USA. Did it with the help of a friend who has a power of attorney. The report must be notarized and then apostilled.

My understanding is that FBI will NOT do background checks for EMPLOYMENT purposes.

The whole thing is meaningless, as you can be a convicted pedophile in a nearby city, and the local police department would have no record of it.

Oh My God · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 273

spycatcher reincarnated · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 236

For work permit application

I don't know all the ins and outs of this, but from what I have just been informed the paperwok says you should get the Police clearance certificate from "the last country you were in". In reality, however, the person that informed me about this said that you should just get the PCC from America and this should suffice.

If you have been in Vietnam for more than 6 months before you apply for the work permit, then you can get a Vietnamese certificate that should be OK.

For employer

Some employers genuinely want to know that you are not a convicted criminal and have different requirements.

heatwave22 · Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Posts: 15

Thanks for this information! A few questions:

What is a "PCC?" Is it a state-level criminal background check if you are in the United States?

My state (California) says they won't do a national check if you request a background check. It sounds like that's ok though from these posts if I've been in CA many years, is that right?

The final post in the long sticky in this Vietnam forum regarding what to bring to Vietnam links to a list of requirements that includes getting everything notarized locally AND by the state AND then authenicated nationally and then taking everything to the Vietnam Consulate. Is that really all necessary to get a work permit in Vietnam?

Finally, could a 19 year old misdemeanor for disorderly conduct/obstructing a police officer prevent you from getting a work permit in Vietnam. It was an arrest that resulted from civil disobedience in a civil rights demonstration.

Thanks in advance for any responses.