Korean Job Discussion Forums

[overdrive2023x]

I ordered two copies of the CBC from the FBI, and I chose to hold onto one as a backup, and then I just sent mine to get apostilled through uslegalization after a friend of mine that got a job with hagwon told me she used them. I sent it off today, so I'll let you guys know if it comes back and in good order. I was kind of skeptical at first to use them, because their site looks old, but my friend said she got it back in about a week, so I guess we'll see.

The one thing that is racking up right now, is freaking Fedex fees. I think Ill end up spending over 100 bucks for sure just sending docs to get apostilled, stamped, signed, and whatever else.

[ellaruth8]

Jrk88: It was quite expensive. They ended up charging me $65 -- $55 for the service fee and $10 for US state department fee. Plus with shipping costs... it was probably close to $100. I got it back in four days though, and I sent it to them on a Friday so there was a weekend included in that. In terms of trustworthiness -- my document now has the apostille and that's all I needed from them soooooo... success. When I said in my earlier post "I hope it's legit" I only meant "I have no idea what an apostille from the department of state looks like and if that's what this service is actually providing or if it is a scam preying on people who know nothing about official stamps and seals and signatures and I'm mildly worried about soon realizing that what they sent back to me is somehow, unimaginably, unacceptable." That's what I meant. I hope that is not the case but I don't want to be telling people with certainty to trust this service until I've got my visa in hand.

[AsiaESLbound]

So right now as it stands, only EPIK Seoul (SMOE) specifically requires the federal level apostile, but a state issued apostille is fine for jobs outside of Seoul? If at home, it's more practical and economical to use your state's Secretary of State business office, but I'd go ahead and get a federal apostille if doing it from abroad and then it's likely the next new K-immi rule will require a federal apostille be attached to all FBI checks. Missouri's Secretary of state offers the same Hague Convention document validation for use outside the US and teachers as well as corporations have been using it to do business over there. I can now finally apply for a job and go when I get an E-2 stamp. I only wished I had the insight to order 2 FBI checks now that I know you only get one single use from each $18 paper requiring 10 weeks turnaround.

[Gorf]

Oregon no longer does it.

[SonomaJoe]

I am going to go through my state for the FBI check apostille. The certified degree copy apostille took them only two weeks!

Can I request two apostilles at the same time? I am thinking of requesting one for Korea and one for Taiwan.

I just talked with a recruiter today for an interview. She knew I didn't have my FBI check and set me up with an interview anyway, only to tell me she has absolutely no jobs and she told me I should go to Taiwan.

It was probably the first time in my life that I wasn't nervous at all, and I felt like I had to calm down the person interviewing me.

[isitts]

[SonomaJoe]

No, I meant two apostilles for one CBC.

Does Taiwan even need an apostille?

I am just now getting angry over how that interview went. I'm not an expert on how to conduct interviews but frantically telling the person you are interviewing that there are no jobs anymore in Korea and I should just give up now is not exactly the most professional thing I've ever heard someone say. Also, why would you badger me about my lack of experience with working with children on the job? I told you I hadn't before, and that was on my resume as well. I hate interviews where someone literally hammers you for not having experience when you have previously stated you don't have it.

Maybe her business is collapsing and she doesn't have what it takes to just not contact people like she normally would do. It's like she was on auto pilot giving me the interview and then realized there was nothing she could do for me, or almost anyone else she was interviewing. What a huge waste of time.

[isitts]

[overdrive2023x]

I've browsed the FAQ's on this site regarding the E2 required documents. Don't we need two copies of the FBI CBC if we're going to apply to EPIK and then get an E2? EPIK requires one, but they said they won't return the documents. And Korean immigration requires another apostilled copy as well?

[isitts]

[GingerTosser]

Just wanted to add that the Secretary of State in AZ will apostille the FBI check. Bring in the original document and they make you sign a sworn affidavit and then apostille it for $3. I went to the Capitol and was in and out within 10 minutes. I'm not sure if the Tucson satellite branch will, but it is worth the 2 hour drive to get it done the same day for $3.

[thedoorajar]

Does anyone have any information about Georgia? The woman on the phone said they can't do it, but if I come in and hand the documents over, do they look too closely? What are my chances if I get the background check notarized first?

[yfb]

[thedoorajar]

[AsiaESLbound]

Are state apostille's still accepted on the FBI check? I have 2 FBI's, but going to get one done at my secretary of state office and send the other off to DC today. If the state one isn't good, I still could still send it to DC for federal Apostille so I still have a 2nd valid CBC? I'll update this next week after I've applied to recruiters with my state level apostille as I'm wanting a job offer yesterday.