Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SandyG21]

Live in the USA.

I was told the FBI check has to be directly sent to the agency - not to me - now since I am applying for multiple jobs - the check takes up to 12 weeks and costs money - is the Korean Government aware of this rule?

Maybe it is just my state - but the same agency is in charge of my whole states fingerprinting.

It is called L-1 fingerprinting - and apparently that is all that is available in my state.

There don't seem to be any other agencies.

[SandyG21]

Okay only L 1 does fingerprinting in my state - and they use a scan - I am supposed to have an employer number thatt is sent to- and it is mailed directly to the employer - not to me - but then when I look at the USA government site - it says I can download a regular card and have the rolled fingerprints done and then order a copy of the report from the FBI.

But the L 1 person said they can't do anything but scanned and I can't have a copy to send overseas - since overseas jobs don't have employer numbers.

L 1 is used in my entire state now.

I don't know if it is just my states rules or not.

I don't know who to contact to do the fingerprinting - L 1 is who does it at my local police department - there doesn't seem to be anyone else who does this.

[SandyG21]

Here is a link to the page -

http://www.l1enrollment.com/faq/

I can't use an internet printed card.

So how do I get a card from the FBI?

Then L1 doesn't want to really do the rolled fingerprints only the scanned ones.

And they are only to send information directly to the agency.

[SandyG21]

FBI link http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/forms/orderingfps.htm


It says I can't order a card as an individual to use for the fingerprinting.

So I need fingerprints on a card.

L1 doesn't have cards.

L1 doesn't allow internet cards.

The FBI requires a card to mail me a FBI criminal history check.

I need an employer number to get L1 to do the fingerprinting.

Schools overseas or recruiters or agencies don't have an employer number.

L1 is the only place in my state to get the fingerprinting done - the police departments do not do it anymore - only L1.

That is my whole state - I didn't check other states.

[jamiemexi]

Information about FBI Background check and tips.
==============================
1. Go to the FBI site. They should have instructions on how to obtain a FBI background check. The FBI accept fingerprints on a FD-258 card (basically it's a hard card, cardstock paper). The police station might carry some, but knowing police stations they won't give anything out for free. You can also order the FD-258 cards online, but they sell in bulk. If you want to order 1-2, try contacting apostillepros.com to see if they sell you 1-2 fingerprint cards FD-258 cause they provide background check services, notary and apostille. But you know you can do the fingerprints on the paper format given on the FBI site. That should be acceptable. L1 should just be a fingerprint service provider. Normally, some states let private service take over as fingerprint service because it's cheaper on the state to do it this way. Only the FBI have the background check information in their database; hence that's why you need to fill out their application. On the FBI site, it states they accept the FD-258 card or the paper print out. It's just the FD-258 might be better for the prints.

2. FBI background check can be sent to an agency (which agency though, I wouldn't send it directly to your future employer without the apostille) or to you. This process should take max of 12 weeks. Min of 4 weeks - 6 weeks, if you're lucky. Make sure you indicate on the envelope you need it in a rush for work purposes, then they might process it early for you. But because I post this tip, others might know the tip and do it as well. So it's still first come first served. The reason why it takes so long is because FBI is a nationwide background check and it's done for 50 states. State background check can take 1-3 business days, if you don't have a record. It's processed faster because some states have live scan capability (electronic fingerprints) which speed up the process. Your fingerprints get sent directly to the state database.

3. Most Korean Teaching now accept FBI background check cause its nationwide rather than just the state. But it's up to the agency. You have to know which one they want.

4. Once you get your background check, get it notarized and apostille.
Tip: I wouldn't recommend forwarding to the Department of State for apostille. That might take another 25 days. Don't quote me on this one though, I don't know for sure how long the Department of State will take. I wouldn't risk it forwarding to them for an apostille though. The department of state, is like the FBI in the sense they process 50 states, so your documents might be on a first come first served basis. Do your apostille in the state that is the fastest. California is pretty quick. Alaska is fast. All U.S. states are part of the Hague, so you can get your apostille in any state.


FYI: Make sure when you're doing your fingerprints, make sure you can see your prints, if not, it will get rejected. Females tend to have the worst prints because your fingers are smaller. The best print will be your thumb because it's bigger, but the worst will be your pinky. Also, females have not so good prints because if you have kids, you wash your hands a lot or you do a lot of dishes. That scrapes off your prints. So make sure your prints are visible on the cards or you'll get rejected by the FBI and wait another few months for your background check results.

[SKinPRC]

I got a National Criminal Index from the State's Attorney's office. If you know anyone in law enforcement they can get you one with your state rap sheet. They need to notarize them with a letter or statement signed by an officer or State's Attorney. Get that apostilled.

The Korean Immigration office did accept that. It took two days and was free. (Yet the rest of this process has been so confused and long.)

The rigmarole isn't worth it. I'm returning to China or somewhere else after this job. They're more efficient in my experience.

[bpicmc]

@SandyG21 - The place were you did you fingerprints seems incompetent. If you are getting fingerprints for an visa related FBI background check, they should just ink-roll fingerprint you and give you the card to mail to the FBI center in WV. You can only use the digital prints if they are going to a governmental agency or other authorized recipient like police or a department of education.

If you post or PM me your state, I will try to see if I help you find a sane place to have your prints taken.

[MollyBloom]

Well, I called the state university in my town, and they wouldn't do a federal check for me. I then called the FBI in my area, and they just told me to go to the website and print this out:

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/pdf/fpcardb.pdf

Then find a police station and have them ink fingerprint me and mail it to the West Virginia FBI center. Got the fingerprints and am sending it out tomorrow.

[dharmasister]

[SandyG21]

Multiple copies are going to get very expensive - seems like the FBI should have extra copies be cheaper.

I also googled what the FBI will send us - it said either a letter saying they found no records - or the fingerprint card saying no record or what they found - they even had pictures on google.

Now are teachers going to have to have this done each year? So if a person gets it by Dec or Jan to start a job - then gets to Korea and then wants to change jobs or even stay in the same job - will they need it again? Each year?

Also my understanding is that for work visa purposes only the old traditional actually inkpad roll will work - not the electronic one - because the electronical one cannot be apostilled or notarized and it is only sent directly to USA employers who have a special id number that is written on the application.

[drcrazy]