Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vaticanhotline]

My co-teacher told me recently that the new requirement for the background check is that it must be "federal". I explained that Ireland isn't big enough to be federal (just local), but I'm not sure as to whether this might mean the standard check I got before coming here the first time might not be sufficient, and that I should get the one from Thurles. Does anyone know?

[Bearach]

The first time I went to Korea, I got a criminal background check done by the central vetting unit (Thurles), and there were no problems.

The second time I got the same thing, and the recruiter said there was a problem at Immigration, because it says 'Not to be construed as proof of no convictions, Garda vetting etc.' I said that they provide five different documents, and each one lists the documents it's not. She got back to Immigration and I got my visa, so they must have accepeted it.

I have just applied again, and this time the Department of Foreign Affairs wouldn't Apostille the criminal background check, because it has an electronic signature. So I got a check done at the local Garda station, got it Apostilled, and sent it off. Hopefully that will do the job.

The stipulation is that the check be national, and in some countries that means federal. In Ireland that means you should use the central vetting unit, but since the DFA won't Apostille those now, the local check is all there is. Once it's Apostilled, there should be no questions, but even if there are, just explain that this is the correct document from Ireland.

[candyteacher]

As far as I know its the check you need from your Garda station. People I know have used it recently. The Vetting only declares you can work with children, not that you have no criminal background! Its the CBC that immigration needs.

[Bearach]

It's a bit muddled really. The way the Korean law is stated, they want a check like Garda vetting in Ireland, since people on an E2 visa will be working with children (usually). Since the DFA won't Apostille the criminal background checks anymore, they're not usable. The problem is, the check you get from the local Garda station is not 'national level.'

Bottom line is, if it's Apostilled then it should be good enough for Immigration, but I can see this becoming an issue in the future.

[crystal]

For my last two E2 visas I have gotten just the local garda station check. My most recent visa was in December. That should be fine, and very quick!