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CRC for F4 visas

 
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SFValley



Joined: 18 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:14 am    Post subject: CRC for F4 visas Reply with quote
My recruiter called immigration to see if F4 visa holders were required to do a CRC. The answer was no. Now, my recruiter is saying SMOE is requiring it for themselves, even if it's not necessary for my visa. Any other F4 visa holders going through SMOE in the same boat? Did you do a CRC or no?
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LaffertyDaniel



Joined: 30 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I am doing SMOE with an F4 visa too. And although you don't need a CRC to get the visa, SMOE still wants a notarized and apostilled CRC for their own reassurances. If you didn't get a background check yet, you should get on that right away bc when I applied for a state CRC (IL), it took right around two and half weeks just to get it, and then another week to get it apostilled.
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nyla54



Joined: 17 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, you still have to submit a CRC.

Based on the process I went through, I wasn't even aware that the CRC was a part of the visa process, much less the E-2 visa process. Once I passed my phone interview, I had to mail in a big package of documents that included my CRC.

I know one of the benefits of getting a F-4 is to avoid these extra costs, but I can understand why it's mandated. Apparently, some number of years back--although, recent--it was discovered that one of the foreign English teachers in Korea was a pedophile with a record. I think he was discovered/arrested in Thailand, but they later found out he had a teaching visa in Korea. Anyway, based on this reasoning, I think it's fair--after all, we are working with children for extended periods of time. Also, I believe teachers in the States have to go through a background check as well.

Now, I don't know why the CRC needs to be apostilled versus just notarized, but just know that I had to pay double the amount to have my CRC notarized. However, I received my California CRC very quickly. I scanned my fingerprints on Thursday and received it in the mail by the following Monday.
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SFValley



Joined: 18 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
nyla54 wrote:
Yes, you still have to submit a CRC.

Based on the process I went through, I wasn't even aware that the CRC was a part of the visa process, much less the E-2 visa process. Once I passed my phone interview, I had to mail in a big package of documents that included my CRC.

I know one of the benefits of getting a F-4 is to avoid these extra costs, but I can understand why it's mandated. Apparently, some number of years back--although, recent--it was discovered that one of the foreign English teachers in Korea was a pedophile. I think he was discovered/arrested in Thailand, but they later found out he had a teaching visa in Korea. Anyway, based on this reasoning, I think it's fair--after all, we are working with children for extended periods of time. Also, I believe teachers in the States have to go through a background check as well.

Now, I don't know why the CRC needs to be apostilled versus notarized, but just know that I had to pay double the amount to have my CRC notarized. However, I received my California CRC very quickly. I scanned my fingerprints on Thursday and received it in the mail by the following Monday.


Thanks for the info. I have a background check here in California (since I've been a public school teacher here), but apparently the State-wide one done on California school's website is not acceptable. I had to rush and got one on-line (had no wait, it was instant) and will need to get it apostilled I suppose.

I totally understand the reasoning behind wanting everyone to get a CRC. That's more than reasonable. However, I wish Korea cared more about that than this need to just get the same exact CRC by all in the same manner, regardless! The point is to ensure that we have no criminal background. If I'm a public school teacher in the States, have cleared a state CRC in California, then clearly I have no criminal background. That's reasonable and acceptable, however, SMOE just wants their documents in one standard way and it's that way of doing things that just leaves me a bit resigned.
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nyla54



Joined: 17 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Have you received your NOA or notification that it's on the way?

If not, I very much concur with the other post in that you need to hurry. After the phone interview, as you know, you have to submit final documents and there are always candidates who drop out (my friend did).
thus, it is my understanding that the public school programs tend to overextend acceptances--this has been confirmed by my recruiter and other posts. Once SMOE receives all your documents, including the CRC, they will send you the Notice of Appointment document. This NOA serves as the official letter stating that you are 100% in the program.

I know that E-2 visa holders need the NOA to start the visa process. However, since you have your F-4, I'm not sure how this changes things since there would really be no need for you receive one, given that SMOE knows you have it.

In any event, hurry! You've made it this far to let one document tamper your chances.
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nyla54



Joined: 17 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
SFValley wrote:
nyla54 wrote:
Yes, you still have to submit a CRC.

Based on the process I went through, I wasn't even aware that the CRC was a part of the visa process, much less the E-2 visa process. Once I passed my phone interview, I had to mail in a big package of documents that included my CRC.

I know one of the benefits of getting a F-4 is to avoid these extra costs, but I can understand why it's mandated. Apparently, some number of years back--although, recent--it was discovered that one of the foreign English teachers in Korea was a pedophile. I think he was discovered/arrested in Thailand, but they later found out he had a teaching visa in Korea. Anyway, based on this reasoning, I think it's fair--after all, we are working with children for extended periods of time. Also, I believe teachers in the States have to go through a background check as well.

Now, I don't know why the CRC needs to be apostilled versus notarized, but just know that I had to pay double the amount to have my CRC notarized. However, I received my California CRC very quickly. I scanned my fingerprints on Thursday and received it in the mail by the following Monday.


Thanks for the info. I have a background check here in California (since I've been a public school teacher here), but apparently the State-wide one done on California school's website is not acceptable. I had to rush and got one on-line (had no wait, it was instant) and will need to get it apostilled I suppose.

I totally understand the reasoning behind wanting everyone to get a CRC. That's more than reasonable. However, I wish Korea cared more about that than this need to just get the same exact CRC by all in the same manner, regardless! The point is to ensure that we have no criminal background. If I'm a public school teacher in the States, have cleared a state CRC in California, then clearly I have no criminal background. That's reasonable and acceptable, however, SMOE just wants their documents in one standard way and it's that way of doing things that just leaves me a bit resigned.



What do you mean you got one online?

I found that there were only two ways to get a state-wide criminal check: local police station or California Dept of Justice. However, it's much more difficult to get it through the former as most stations only offer local checks. Plus, it's not available online.

Are you sure you got the right type? I would double-check with your recruiter. I came across some instances when people sent in local background checks--some cleared while others were told to get an official state-wide.

Also, quick note: you need to get it apostilled...and quick. You have three options:
#1: Notarize then mail it to the Secretary of State in Sacramento. You then have to wait for them to mail it back.

#2: Go to a private agent. I read someone paid $125/document and got it in two days.

#3: Notarize it. Have the notary "authenticated" by the County Clerk in Norwalk; you can get it notarized on the 5th floor and then have it authenticated on the second floor. Then, you can take it to the Secretary of State branch office in downtown LA to have it apostilled. All in all, I paid $47/document.

I chose #3 because I needed my documents fast, didn't want to pay the private price, and had the time. It's a lot of driving so I recommend public transportation. Take Metrolink (train) from LA Union Station to Norwalk--it's about a 20-minute, non-stop ride. The county clerk's office is two blocks away. Then go back to LA Union Station and take the MetroRail (subway), which will take you to downtown LA. You just have to purchase a round-trip Metrolink ticket ($11 or so) and you ride MetroRail for free.

Last edited by nyla54 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:24 am; edited 1 time in total
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SFValley



Joined: 18 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
nyla54 wrote:
SFValley wrote:
nyla54 wrote:
Yes, you still have to submit a CRC.

Based on the process I went through, I wasn't even aware that the CRC was a part of the visa process, much less the E-2 visa process. Once I passed my phone interview, I had to mail in a big package of documents that included my CRC.

I know one of the benefits of getting a F-4 is to avoid these extra costs, but I can understand why it's mandated. Apparently, some number of years back--although, recent--it was discovered that one of the foreign English teachers in Korea was a pedophile. I think he was discovered/arrested in Thailand, but they later found out he had a teaching visa in Korea. Anyway, based on this reasoning, I think it's fair--after all, we are working with children for extended periods of time. Also, I believe teachers in the States have to go through a background check as well.

Now, I don't know why the CRC needs to be apostilled versus notarized, but just know that I had to pay double the amount to have my CRC notarized. However, I received my California CRC very quickly. I scanned my fingerprints on Thursday and received it in the mail by the following Monday.


Thanks for the info. I have a background check here in California (since I've been a public school teacher here), but apparently the State-wide one done on California school's website is not acceptable. I had to rush and got one on-line (had no wait, it was instant) and will need to get it apostilled I suppose.

I totally understand the reasoning behind wanting everyone to get a CRC. That's more than reasonable. However, I wish Korea cared more about that than this need to just get the same exact CRC by all in the same manner, regardless! The point is to ensure that we have no criminal background. If I'm a public school teacher in the States, have cleared a state CRC in California, then clearly I have no criminal background. That's reasonable and acceptable, however, SMOE just wants their documents in one standard way and it's that way of doing things that just leaves me a bit resigned.



What do you mean you got one online?

I found that there were only two ways to get a state-wide criminal check: local police station or California Dept of Justice. However, it's much more difficult to get it through the former, and it's not available online.

Are you sure you got the right type? I would double-check with your recruiter. I came across some instances when people sent in local background checks--some cleared while others were told to get an official state-wide.


My recruiter said there were instant ones online. This is the site I used: http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com/
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nyla54



Joined: 17 Jun 2009
PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:28 am    Post subject: