Korean Job Discussion Forums

Scamps · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Anyone with good advice for me?
I worked in Korea for 3 years and never had to have a criminal background check during that period.
I'm in the US now but returning to Seoul in July.
I went to my local police station in April to get fingerprinted. I sent the prints to the FBI and a few weeks later they sent them back with a note saying "The quality of characteristics is too low to be used." I called them and they told me to have it done again multiple times.
So I went back to the police station and they were just baffled saying they've never seen that happen before. So I had 3 fingerprint copies taken and sent them to the FBI again. Today I got them return AGAIN with the SAME note! I'm so angry.
Anybody have a similar experience? What should I do now? I'm sure I have no criminal record. Could I just use any internet site that doesn't even ask for fingerprints?
My mom wants to call the congressman!

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I have heard people talking about getting fingerprinted, but I have never experienced a school, recruiter, immigration, or embassy ever request fingerprints.

Who is telling you that you need to submit fingerprints? I got a job last year at a public school. I was working at a hagwon and in either cases, no one mentioned I needed them.

Scamps · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Nobody told me I needed them but I just didn't want to run into any roadblocks and thought the most official way to go was through the FBI.
Where or which websites have you used to get your criminal background check authorized?

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I got a letter sent from a local police station back home. Then I went to the American Embassy near Gwanghwamun station. I signed an affidavit claiming it was accurate and I was done 10 minutes after that.

Scamps · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Which state did that? I'm in NJ.
When I used to teach in China they asked me to have that kind of letter from my local police department. My father went there for me with an email from me saying I approved of him getting the information in my place. But when I went to the police station here they have no idea about what I'm talking about and said they never did anything like that in the past. The first police station I went to here didn't even have a clue about where to go to have fingerprints taken!! With all respect for the police, I have to say that the ones I've encountered here are idiots.

buddie3232 · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Last year, I did them myself with the help of a friend. We made 30 fingerprint sheets and picked the best 8 and sent them in. No problem.

Just do it yourself. The FBI website gives directions on how to do them. It took us about 3 hours.

Scamps · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Thanks but I found a police station who did fingerprinting. I just had one copy done the first time. After it was rejected I had 3 copies done. They were rejected as well. They were all done by policemen and have their signature and information on the sheet too.
I'm going to call the FBI when they open again (holiday weekend here in the US) and complain.
I planned to be back in Korea in May! This is taking forever...

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

Why are you trying to get a federal CRC when K Immi will accept a local or state CRC?

... it just seems to me it would be easier for you. Wink

buddie3232 · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Some states require fingerprints anyways. I'm from NY which require fingerprints. It is cheaper to get them done via the FBI vs. NY.

Last year, when I had to get mine done some said local checks were not being accepted. So it was state or FBI.

You know K-land will not reject a clean FBI Check. Wink

WillieMink · Joined: 21 May 2009

i've also heard local CRC's
have been rejected.

i wish there was a
standard for this.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

what do you think complaining about FBI standards will do? i'm going to go out on a limb here and say that korean standards are too lax.

go to a different police station (preferably a larger one), get LOTS of sets done (like the 30 that that previous poster recommended), and send them in.

Janny · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: all over the place

I had my prints taken from the local police station as well. The RCMP in Ottawa also rejected them. It was done according to specs on the RCMP website even. But they simply sent it all back saying "we don't accept foreign police fingerprints". I had to go back to Canada to get my CRC done. It's OK...I had needed a vacation anyway.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Kikomom · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 3:50 am Post subject:

If the local cop shop can't do a CRC on you, do it with the Staties. Here's a website for info:
http://www.nj.gov/njsp/about/serv_chrc.html

They have it contracted out and you'll need to make an appt with these guys:
https://www.bioapplicant.com/nj/
The fee is $41.

Form A is for a visa, but you should get one that is notarized so you can proceed directly to the Apostille phase (along with a notarized copy of your degree). Or take it to the same notary that does your degree copy.
www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/dcr/programs/apostilles.htm
That'll cost you $50 ($25 per).

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

The FBI wants fingerprints on their own paper, Rolling Eyes

which you can download and print off this website

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm