Korean Job Discussion Forums

[garykasparov]

Korean Herald

Embassies cautious in helping teachers with background checks

Foreign embassies in Korea said they will not directly handle the matter of issuing criminal record checks for visas, but would be in close cooperation with the Korean government.

The Korea Herald contacted the U.S., Canadian, British and Australian embassies regarding new E-2 visa regulations.

"The embassy's American Citizen Services office is continuing to discuss the new E-2 requirements with Korean government officials.

The embassy publishes the most recent information on our website (www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm)," said the U.S. Embassy via e-mail.

It says the embassy does not provide a records check or fingerprinting service, nor can the embassy authenticate records' checks or health certificates. The embassy says the Criminal Justice Information Service Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation provides criminal record checks. The process takes 16-18 weeks and costs $18.

The Australian Embassy said it does not conduct criminal record checks, since it is not a police agency. "We expect our citizens to comply with Korean law. In addition, criminal records are a matter of one's privacy, something we can't handle. We will respect local law," said a publicity official of the Australian Embassy.

The British Embassy said that British police do not issue "certificate of good conduct" or "police clearance certificates. However, British citizens can request a police reply which, we understand, would be acceptable to Korean immigration authorities. British citizens do not need to return to the United Kingdom to obtain such a reply. Requests can be made to local police authorities from outside of the United Kingdom."

The Canadian Embassy said, "We already posted related information on our website two years ago because the Education Ministry's programs demanded criminal records. We are discussing the matter with the Justice Ministry. As far as I know, it would take three to four months."

To get a Canadian criminal record check from Korea, one should contact the RCMP Canada office in Ottawa (www.rcmpgrc.gc.ca/crimrec/finger2_e.htm#Obtain) for information and forms.

"One of the requirements is to have your fingerprints done in Korea, which can be done at a local police station. Once you get your fingerprints done, you will have to send it with your personal information to the RCMP office in Ottawa by mail or by courier," the embassy said on its website.

By Song Sang-ho

([email protected])

2007.12.17

[Ronald]

Hummm, seems like nobody likes us here........

[trubadour]

how do you contact your local cop shop for this kinda thing? Just ring 'em up and ask 'remember me?...can you put that in writing?'