If you’re applying for a Korean visa from the United States, you’ll be asked for a criminal record check. For Americans, that’s your FBI background check, and Korea wants it with a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. We take care of the whole thing for you: your fingerprints, the FBI request and the apostille. You can come to our Los Angeles or Beverly Hills office, we can come to you, or, if you’re already overseas, you can send us your fingerprint cards.
What Korea Asks For
Applying for an F-4 visa? The Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles asks overseas Koreans for a “criminal history record check issued by FBI and apostille confirmation by US Department State Office of Authentications.” In plain terms: your FBI report, with a federal apostille attached. The consulate’s page exempts applicants 60 and older and children under 13.
Teaching English on an E-2 visa, including EPIK? Your school or recruiter will ask for the same thing: an FBI check with a federal apostille. Most want it issued within the last 6 months, so confirm the exact window with them before you start.
Two things we see people get wrong:
- A California apostille won’t work. The FBI report is a federal document, so the apostille has to come from the U.S. Department of State.
- A California DOJ check isn’t what Korea wants. It has to be the FBI check.
If you’re asked for a Korean translation, we can provide that too.
How We Handle It
If you’re in Los Angeles, we take your fingerprints at our office or wherever suits you, and submit them to the FBI electronically. The FBI sends the report straight to you; you forward it to us, and we take it from there. We submit it to the U.S. Department of State, collect the apostille, and get everything back to you ready for your application.
For every step in detail, see our step-by-step guide to getting your FBI background check apostilled.
If you’re already abroad, including in Korea, you don’t need to fly home. Get fingerprinted on FD-258 cards at your local police station and mail them to us. We submit them to the FBI in person, handle the apostille, and ship the finished documents to you. See FBI Background Check Apostille Abroad.
A word on timing: if your visa sets a window, it usually counts from the date the FBI issues the report, not the date of the apostille. Start too early and it can expire before your appointment. If you’re not sure when to begin, call us and we’ll help you work it out.
Common Questions
What background check do I need for a Korean visa?
Your FBI background check (the FBI calls it an Identity History Summary), with a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
Can I use a California apostille or a California DOJ check instead?
No. Korea asks for the FBI check, and it has to be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
How recent does it need to be?
For E-2 teaching visas, most schools and recruiters want it issued within the last 6 months. For the F-4, the Korean Consulate in Los Angeles doesn’t give a time limit on its page, so it’s worth checking with them.
I’m already in Korea. Can you still help?
Yes. Get fingerprinted on FD-258 cards where you are, send them to us, and we’ll handle the rest.
Do I need a Korean translation?
Only if you’re asked for one. If you are, we provide it.
Ready to get started? Call or text (310) 526-0200, or message us on WhatsApp.
한국 비자용 FBI 범죄경력 조회와 아포스티유가 필요하신가요? (310) 526-0200으로 전화 또는 문자 주세요.
