Korean Job Discussion Forums

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:26 am Post subject: Criminal background and Visas

Do they do criminal background checks when you apply for a Visa? Are they particular about DWI's vs. more severe crimes. Are misdemeanors held against applicants?

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

All you need is a local police check showing that you are not wanted for any crimes. As long as you are not on the run you are okay.

The criminal record check is a pain in the butt, but it is easy to get and should be asked for long before you go to Korea.

PS keep the originals and only give them copies....otherwise your originals disappear and if you need to get new ones its a major pain in the butt!

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

The immigration authorities do not carry out criminal background checks when processing visa applications. Some schools might request a criminal background certificate though.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

It's very much the individual employer's choice. It's not mandatory here in Korea. I've never know of anyone being asked for one yet. Smile

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

It's not mandatory for immigration and rarely is for schools. All the same, I have a background check for British Columbia public schools and threw it in my application portfolio (except for a few uni jobs I applied for) and I don't think it hurt.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:29 pm Post subject:

I think lots of public school jobs ask for it, and more probably should.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you have a criminal record isn't there something on your passport's security info (if you can get a passport) to indicate this? If so, wouldn't that make the need for a criminal background check rather superfluous?

peppermint · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

Not really. Canadian passports are issued for 5 years, so any security info would only include what happened before it was issued

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

I have heard here in the states that your Passport will be flagged if you present a "risk." Whatever that means. But yes, I have heard that they mark it somehow if you are dangerous or pose a serious threat.

Return Jones · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject:

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

In the age of computers in Korea?

If that's the way it works...we should all be on the system and not have to show documents every time we get a new job.

Korean inefficiency vs the age of computers

I'll put my money on the Koreans.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject:

I'm sure it is, but most Korean agencies don't play nicely with eachother, nevermind outside groups

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

Return Jones · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

Homer · Guest

They are not mandatory (crim. record checks) but basically they should be....many teachers end up teaching kids afterall.