Korean Job Discussion Forums

rowdie3 · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Itaewon, Seoul

Hey, just thought I'd share some info. My company had told me to hold off on getting fingerprinted just in case the law change got pushed back, but I got word last week to go ahead as the laws will go into effect as of January.

To get the fingerprints: go to Namyeong Station and to the police station there (I called 02-1330 while on route in a taxi and the woman there spoke to my cab driver who dropped me right off at the police station).

Walk into the main building. Tell the woman at the help desk that you want to get fingerprinted. She will direct you to the CSI department.

My friend said to bring my passport just in case, but the man just looked at my ARC and went ahead.

Fingerprints done. No charge which was a nice suprise.

The next step is to mail them to my parents who will send them with a money order the RCMP. If you have a check book or can get a money order here that would be good too.

Info is here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/

The timeline is shorter than for the FBI check, but I would still do it as soon as you can just in case. My renewal is in March, so I'm hoping to get it in the mail in the next week.

Hope this info helps some of you out there. If you have any tips on this process or things to not forget, they would be much appreciated.

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

I recently also started the process. The most recent surprise was trying to get a money order. 2 - 3 Years again I did it a KBstar bank aka Kookmin - no problems. Years later I went to the bank the SAME one with the old paper work which I kept. Oh my GOD they could not do it. 2 years ago no problem but in that time aparently their service got worse. I had to try 2 other KB banks before I was told to go across the street to KEB. Done in less then 30 minutes and I was not even a member.. Amazing I was impressed. So money order can be done here but it may be a difficult depending on which bank you are with.

Next piece of advice is getting your CRC verified I do not know if the declaration that you do at the Canadian embassy in Seoul will work in the future. So I would look into have your parents sending a notarized copy to your closet Korean consulate. You will have to send your parents some scans or details. Check the local consulates website.

http://www.koreanconsulate.on.ca/en/?mnu=a02b04
http://can-vancouver.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-vancouver/visiting/criminal/index.jsp
http://can-ottawa.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-ottawa/visiting/visanews/index.jsp (Can not see any details on Verification)
http://can-montreal.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-montreal/visiting/criminal/index.jsp

Careful consulates only serve some areas. Ie if you live in Toronto but luck has it you can visit Vancouver - sorry they will likely tell you to go to the Toronto embassy!

My question is is their a problem with a third person doing the verification at the Embassy?

gogophoto · Joined: 20 Feb 2010

rowdie3 · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Itaewon, Seoul

Bump as I see this topic going up a lot.

Fingerprints were sent to RCMP on Dec. 19th. Haven't received anything yet but fingers crossed its on the way.

mellow-d · Joined: 07 Oct 2009

Don't hold your breath. I sent mine EMS from Korea in October and I emailed the RCMP a few days ago to check on it. They emailed back that they haven't even "received" it which they said basically means it could be in the building and hasn't been processed yet. They gave me the spiel about how they have to process 15000 applications each month.
Then they said that after "receipt", I can expect to wait another 120 days. So I'm screwed.

I'd love to know how people have done this successfully from Korea.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Is RCMP even needed? A local check done through the RCMP database might suffice (waiting confirmation). This can be done in a matter of days.

last goodbye · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

For a criminal record check, try going through the Winnipeg Police.
http://www.mucda.mb.ca/images/Criminal_Record_Check_P612%5B1%5D.pdf
You can apply by FAX, pay with a credit card and it should come back fast-it did 2 years ago (when I sent it by mail). I just sent another today, because the last one I sent I marked "vulnerable sector search" and although it doesn't say on the application, you need fingerprints for this. I learned this 7 weeks later, but didn't reapply at the time because my RCMP one was coming- I got an email the other day from the RCMP also saying my info hasn't entered the system (I sent it at the beginning of Nov). The Winnipeg one is still uses the RCMP database, which fulfills the requirements here and you don't need fingerprints since a "vulnerable sector search" is not required for the E-2- unless they change it tomorrow. If you need it ASAP, get it sent to someone in Canada and have them courier it, as the letter they sent me took 3 weeks and they only send by regular mail.

Does anyone know about having it notarized/verified? Can it be notarized at the Embassy here? It says they notarize on their site, but I haven't talked to them yet. Can it be verified here, or only at the Kor. Consulate in Toronto (if from Winnipeg)?

Jrich · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

Do you know if you have to be from Winnipeg to go through their department? Does it matter if you are from another province?

last goodbye · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

Well, I just talked to the Winnipeg police and the the lady told me that she thinks, as of July, that only people from Manitoba can get one from them, but she wasn't 100% sure. I called the RCMP, but couldn't get through. I talked to the Canadian embassy in Seoul just now and the lady there said that only the one from the RCMP is accepted by Korean Immigration- the one with the fingerprints (that takes forever to get). I was also told by the Korean consulate in Toronto that the CRC doesn't need to be notarized (unlike your degree) before giving it to them to verify- just give 'em the original and they will stamp it. The Canadian embassy told me that they could notarize CRCs and that that would make it acceptable to Korean immigration also (but this'll cost alot more than doing it at the Kor. consulate in Canada). I have to have my degree verified at the Kor. cons. anyhow, so I will just get both done there by a friend in To.

mellow-d · Joined: 07 Oct 2009

Apparently the RCMP has decided to stop just checking your name because you could change your name and slip through the cracks. So now, if your birth date and gender happen to match that of a criminal, your application will be flagged and it can take up to four months from THAT date.

Possibly another reason these checks are taking so long...

Check out the article here:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rcmp-security-check-delays-upsets-n-b-man-20110121-023823-066.html

last goodbye · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

Well, that news (link) is upsetting, as I just learned from the Winnipeg police that my name or (I guess, more likely, my) birth date registered a "hit," meaning my CRC probably will take the full 120 days, which means my tourist visa may expire before I get my CRC. Trying to call or email them seems futile as well...

jmdude1 · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

i posted this in another thread but thought somebody here might have an answer as well. my friend was just turned down by the RCMP saying they will not accept international fingerprints anymore. this sounded strange to me since i know other teachers in korea have done this already. this is my reply from the RCMP:

Hello, A Vulnerable Sector search refers to criminal records verifications including both active and pardoned criminal records. Under Canadian legislation, the results of vulnerable sector searches that contain criminal record information may only be released to Canadian police agencies. In the case of people applying for vulnerable sector verifications to work in Korea, we will not accept requests with applications originating in Korea. We will accept this type of application if it originates from a Canadian police agency. If you require additional information, please email Civilian Fingerprints Services Section directly at [email protected]. All enquiries directed to this address will be answered within two to three business days. Thank you

nowhere in my original email did i ask about a vulerable sector search. i also read somewhere on daves that it isnt needed for korea, i have no idea if thats true or not. anybody have any thoughts on this?

EDIT: i called the canadian embassy in seoul again. they said that the rcmp will not do a vulerable sector search, as mentioned above, so you need to let the rcmp know that you dont need it done.