Korean Job Discussion Forums

[muss8813]

I'm currently in the process of looking for a position in Korea and recently requested background checks from both the FBI & Colorado. The FBI took 2.5 weeks(I noted on the envelope that I needed it by Jan), I did the state check online & printed it out myself. Hopefully they will be acceptable to immigration.

The person I spoke with @ the FBI said that if a person is residing overseas they can provide a prepaid envelope(FedEx, DHL, etc.) with the application, theory being that you will receive your info in a more timely fashion.

Peace!

[the dakota kid]

The FBI took about the same amount of time for my results to come back as well, quite a bit faster than I expected. I was thinking it might have to do with the fact that I have already had the check done before, everything from a passport to a teachers certificate requires one now...

tdk/Dustin

[Zaria32]

Muss8813, don't forget to have it apostilled...

[the dakota kid]

Does it have to be apostilled?

[hellofaniceguy]

[the dakota kid]

If any of you find all of these hoops difficult, try to get a German work and study visa...same items requested, longer wait, high fees and no certainty of an outcome. I managed to get one 10 years ago and I can only imagine that it is even harder now.

FWIW,
tdk/Dustin

[MiniMoonks]

A few people here on the forums just did a state/local background check and not an FBI one, and they haven't encountered any problems teaching in Korea.

I just mailed my Virginia background check yesterday to the Virginia State Police and hope to receive it soon. The state police background checks are linked nationwide from what I've been told.

Also, after talking to a few recruiters, they've also said that a state criminal background check is ok. Is it because I will be going to teach in Korea with an F-4 visa?

[I-am-me]

Just remember that after jumping through their hoops, you wont be able to open a bank account here for 3 months and there is a possibility you might be fired before those 3 months are up!!!

[Ut videam]

[Tiger Beer]

So this is definetely mandatory and required by law now? Even for people who've been here for years without any criminal activity/record here in Korea?

[Cruesif]

If you look in the FAQ's on the FBI site under Criminal Background Check section they don't do apostilles and will send a statement confirming this in your criminal background check package...

I'm sure K immi already knew of this...he he he

[winterwawa]

[winterwawa]

Ok, I just checked and the US embassy will not apostille any documents. So, here are the steps one has to follow as I see them.

First, for the FBI check, send 18USD to the FBI at the following address
FBI CJIS Division, Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Rd., Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306. Wait until they send the results back to you. Then if everything is ok -- meaning you are not a fellon, you then have to mail the document to the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office at 518 23rd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520 along with 7USD. They will issue an apostille and send it back to you.

For a local state bgc, you will have to also get the check done (price varries according to state) have them send the record to you. Then you have to send your bgc to the state department in your hone state to get an apostille. Cost -- again varries according to state.

So, I am looking at at least 100,000 won to get all this done. More if I have to use DHL or FedX for delivery.

You can find detailed information on the following link. All state departments are listed by alpha at the bottom of the page.
http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm

10 years in Korea, 5 years since I even set foot on American soil, and I still have to do this c*r*a*p.

[Tiger Beer]

I just heard the Department of Justice in Korea is seeing what a nightmare this is going to be, and will delay it going into effect until March 15, 2008 (as opposed to December 15, 2008).

[winterwawa]