If you’re heading overseas to teach, there’s a good chance your school or visa office will ask for an FBI background check. Most will want it apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, and some will want it translated too. Most of the teachers we help are going to teach English, though not all of them, and they’re headed to Korea, China, Spain, Japan and beyond. We can handle the whole thing for you: fingerprints, the FBI request, the apostille and any translation. If you’ve already left by the time it’s ready, no problem. We’ll mail it to you wherever you are.
What Each Country Asks For
South Korea. Whether you’re going through EPIK or a private academy on an E-2 visa, Korea wants your FBI check with a federal apostille, and most schools and recruiters want it issued within the last six months. Our Korea page goes into more detail.
China. For a Chinese work permit, you’ll need proof of no criminal record from the U.S., and it has to be less than six months old when you apply, according to China’s own work-permit rules. For Americans, that means the FBI check. The good news is that it got simpler a couple of years ago: since China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, a federal apostille is all it needs. The old trip through the Chinese consulate is gone, as the Chinese Embassy confirms.
Spain. Going over as an auxiliar de conversación or for another teaching job? Spain wants the FBI check apostilled and translated into Spanish, and the Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles wants it issued within the last six months. More on our Spain page.
Japan. There’s more than one way to teach in Japan. Some people go with the JET Program; others work for private language schools, for companies that place assistant language teachers in public schools, or for international schools. Each employer sets its own rules, so ask yours exactly what it needs and by when.
If you’re going with JET, follow their timeline exactly. They’ll tell you when to request your FBI check, and requesting it too early means doing it twice. Send the electronic version they recommend, or the hard copy still sealed in its FBI envelope; an opened copy or a printed PDF won’t be accepted. Their instructions don’t ask for an apostille. The details are in JET USA’s FBI instructions.
Brazil and everywhere else. We also help teachers heading to Brazil and other countries. Tell us where you’re going, and we’ll work out with you what your school or consulate is asking for.
The Mistakes We See Most
Starting too late. This is the big one. A lot of teachers come to us late in the game, without realizing how long the U.S. Department of State takes with the apostille. Get started as soon as you know where you’re going. Our step-by-step guide to getting your FBI background check apostilled explains the timing, including why it’s counted in business days and why nothing moves on a Friday.
Letting it expire. Most countries want the check to be recent, usually within six months. If it sits in a drawer too long before your application goes in, you’ll be doing it all over again. Time it to your application, not to when you first think of it.
Not realizing a past record matters. If anything shows up on your record, the country you’re going to may take note of it. If it’s an old California case, talk to us about record sealing before you start.
Forgetting about the degree. Your diploma usually needs an apostille too. See Apostille and Authentication of University Transcripts.
Already Left the U.S.?
That’s fine, and it happens a lot. Once everything’s done, we’ll ship the finished documents to you wherever you are.
How We Handle It
If you’re still in Los Angeles, come by the office or we’ll come to you. We take your fingerprints and send them to the FBI electronically. The FBI then emails you the details to log in and download your report. Forward it to us, and we take it to the U.S. Department of State for the apostille, add any translation you need, and get the finished set back to you.
If you’re already overseas, you don’t need to fly back. Have your prints taken on FD-258 cards at the local police station and mail them to us. We’ll submit them to the FBI in person, look after the apostille and translation, and send everything on to you. Our guide for Americans living abroad walks through it.
Common Questions
Do I need an FBI check to teach abroad?
In most places, yes. Korea, China and Spain all ask for one, and so does the JET Program in Japan.
Does it need an apostille?
Usually. Korea, China and Spain want the federal apostille. JET’s instructions don’t ask for one, so check with your employer.
When should I start?
As early as your program allows. Some, like JET, give you a date not to request it before. Otherwise, start once you know where you’re going, and keep the six-month window in mind.
I’ve already left. Can you still help?
Yes. We’ll mail the documents to you abroad, and if you still need fingerprints, the local police can do them on FD-258 cards.
Ready to get started? Call or text (310) 526-0200, or message us on WhatsApp.
