FBI Criminal Background Check for Teaching in Korea
American applicants must submit an FBI-issued Identity History Summary Check (fingerprint-based, FD-258), apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, for the Korean E-2 teaching visa. Here's the exact process for 2026.
What Is the FBI Check?
The FBI Identity History Summary Check(also called an "FBI Background Check" or "rap sheet") is issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division in Clarksburg, West Virginia. It details any arrest or conviction records associated with your fingerprints in federal databases.
For the Korean E-2 teaching visa, the Korean Ministry of Justice requires the federal-level FBI check — not a state police check. The chain of processing is: fingerprinting → FBI submission → FBI Identity History Summary → U.S. Department of State apostille → shipped to Korea.
Important: The FBI check must be issued within 6 months of your E-2 visa application submission. Time your order so the apostilled check arrives in Korea 2–4 weeks before your visa appointment.
Last Verified
Last verified against Korvia's current FBI background check, apostille, and Korea document-preparation guidance for U.S. applicants.
Form FD-258 — The FBI Fingerprint Card
FD-258 is the official FBI-issued fingerprint card. It's the only fingerprint format accepted for federal FBI Identity History Summary requests.
FBI FD-258 Card (Accepted)
The FBI-issued fingerprint card with ten rolled prints, personal information, and purpose-of-submission field. Available free from FBI.gov, from FBI channelers, or can be ordered by mail. This is what the FBI CJIS division requires.
Local Police Prints Only (Not Enough)
Local police may roll prints on a generic card or into state databases, but these do NOT automatically reach the FBI. You need to explicitly use FD-258 AND ensure it is either mailed directly to FBI CJIS or submitted digitally through an FBI-approved channeler.
Why Channelers Are Faster
FBI-approved channelers capture your prints with a livescan device, digitally sign them, and submit electronically to CJIS — turnaround in 5–7 business days. Mailing a physical FD-258 card direct to the FBI takes 3–5 weeks. For a visa deadline, channelers are always the better choice even with the small premium.
Step-by-Step Process
Five steps from fingerprinting to a Korean-visa-ready apostilled FBI certificate.
Get Fingerprinted on FD-258
Obtain an FBI FD-258 fingerprint card and have your prints rolled by a qualified fingerprinter — an FBI-approved channeler (IdentoGO, NationalCBC, Accurate Biometrics), a local police station, or an FBI channeler's mobile appointment. Bring government photo ID and your passport.
Submit to the FBI (Online or Mail)
Submit your fingerprints to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division in Clarksburg, WV. Options: (a) direct mail submission with a hard-copy FD-258 card, or (b) electronic submission through an FBI-approved channeler (faster, recommended).
Receive the FBI Identity History Summary
The FBI returns your Identity History Summary Check (a one-to-two-page PDF or paper certificate) within 2–4 weeks (direct) or 5–7 business days (channeler). The document states whether you have a federal record and includes an FBI-issued identifier and date.
Apostille at U.S. Department of State (DOS)
The FBI check is a FEDERAL document, so it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. — NOT by a state Secretary of State. Mail the original FBI letter with the DS-4194 request form and the required fee.
Ship the Apostilled Original to Korvia / EPIK
Once the DOS returns the apostilled FBI check, ship the original internationally to Korvia or your EPIK Final Documents address using trackable courier (FedEx, DHL, USPS Priority Mail Express International). Keep a color photocopy of the full apostilled document for your records.
Where Can I Get Fingerprinted?
Four paths to getting a valid FBI fingerprint submission. Channelers are strongly recommended — they cut the FBI processing time from weeks to days.
FBI-Approved Channelers (Fastest)
Private companies pre-approved by the FBI to capture and electronically submit fingerprints. Turnaround is typically 5–7 business days. Top channelers: NationalCBC, IdentoGO (Idemia), Accurate Biometrics, FieldPrint, and Certifix Live Scan.
IdentoGO (Idemia) Appointment
IdentoGO runs the largest network of fingerprinting locations in the U.S. Book an appointment online, walk in, pay the fee, get your prints submitted digitally. Results typically emailed within 5 business days. Covers 45+ states.
Local Police Station (FD-258 Roll Only)
Many police stations will roll FD-258 fingerprint cards for a small fee, but they CANNOT submit to the FBI for you. You would then mail the rolled card directly to the FBI in West Virginia — adding 4–6 weeks to the process. Not recommended unless channelers are unavailable.
Embassy / Consulate (Applicants Abroad)
If you're applying while already abroad, you can have fingerprints rolled at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Note: as of 2023 FBI regulation updates, some international submissions must now be handled by the applicant in the U.S. — confirm current rules with your nearest consulate before relying on this path.
Official FBI Channelers List
Always verify your chosen provider is on the FBI's official list of approved channelers: fbi.gov → List of FBI-Approved Channelers. Unapproved providers cannot submit electronically and may delay your check by weeks.
How Long and How Much
Budget 8–12 weeks from fingerprinting to apostilled document in hand, plus 1–2 weeks for international shipping. The U.S. Department of State apostille queue is the single longest step — don't underestimate it.
| Stage | Time | Approx. Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprinting Appointment | Same day | USD $20–$40 |
| FBI Channeler Electronic Submission | 5–7 business days | USD $50–$60 (channeler) + $18 (FBI) |
| Mail FBI Check → U.S. Department of State | 3–7 days (courier) | Courier cost |
| DOS Apostille Processing (Washington, D.C.) | 8–12 weeks (standard) | USD $20 per document |
| Return Shipping to You | 3–7 days | Courier cost |
| Ship to Korvia / EPIK in Korea | 5–10 days (international) | USD $50–$100 |
Fees and processing times are approximate and change. Authoritative sources: FBI CJIS (fbi.gov/services/cjis) for the Identity History Summary; U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) for apostille.
U.S. Department of State Apostille Process
Because the FBI check is a federal document, state Secretary of State offices cannot apostille it. Only the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. has authority.
Mail-In Service (Standard)
Mail your original FBI letter, a completed DS-4194 request form, USD $20 per document fee (check or money order), and a pre-paid return courier label to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications. Current processing: 8–12 weeks.
Walk-In (Limited / Paused)
Walk-in service at the DOS office in Washington, D.C. has been intermittently paused since 2020. When available, it offers same-day or next-day apostille for up to 15 documents. Always check travel.state.gov for current walk-in availability before traveling to D.C.
Why State Apostilles Don't Apply
State Secretary of State offices only have apostille authority over documents issued by that state government. The FBI is a federal agency, so only the federal-level U.S. Department of State can issue an apostille on FBI documents. Sending an FBI check to a state Secretary is the single most common U.S. applicant mistake.
Common Issues That Cause Rejection
Most FBI-related delays are avoidable. Here are the four most frequent problems Korvia sees with U.S. applicants.
Expired Certificate (Over 6 Months Old)
Korean immigration typically requires the FBI check be issued within the past 6 months at the time of the E-2 visa application. If your E-2 processing drags on, your check may expire and you'll need to reorder. Time your FBI check to land 3–4 months before your planned arrival.
Sent to Wrong Apostille Office
The FBI check is a federal document. Sending it to a state Secretary of State is the single most common U.S. applicant mistake — it will be returned unapostilled and you'll lose 2–4 weeks. Only the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. can apostille FBI checks.
Name Discrepancy With Passport
Your name on the FBI check must match your passport exactly — including middle names, hyphens, and apostrophes. A maiden name, initial, or altered spelling requires a legal name-change document (marriage certificate, court order) apostilled alongside.
Illegible Fingerprints
If the FBI cannot read your prints (dry skin, smudged ink, poor rolling technique), they will reject the submission and you start over. Channelers using digital livescan have the lowest rejection rate. For ink-roll FD-258 cards, hydrate your fingertips for 48 hours beforehand and insist on a second set if the first looks smeared.
Expedited Options (Channelers + Private Apostille Services)
If your EPIK intake is tight, you can compress the timeline dramatically. FBI channelers like NationalCBC, IdentoGO, and Accurate Biometrics offer 5–7 day turnaround on the FBI check itself. Private apostille services like Monument Visa and Washington Apostille Services can hand-walk your document through the DOS in 1–2 weeks for a premium fee (typically USD $100–$300 per document).
Combined, these services can take the total FBI-check-to-apostilled-document cycle from 12+ weeks down to 3–4 weeks. If your visa timeline is urgent, talk to your Korvia recruiter — we've seen applicants compress the full process to 2 weeks when every hand-off is expedited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What's the difference between a state-level background check and the FBI check?
A state check (issued by your state police) covers only crimes committed in that state. The FBI Identity History Summary Check covers all federally-collected fingerprint records across the United States. Korean immigration requires the FEDERAL FBI check for the E-2 visa — a state-only check is not accepted. Do not confuse the two when ordering.
Q.How long is an FBI check valid for the Korean E-2 visa?
Korean immigration typically accepts FBI Identity History Summary Checks issued within the past 6 months at the time of the E-2 visa application. If your application is delayed beyond that window, you'll need to reorder. We recommend requesting your FBI check 3–4 months before your planned Korea arrival to give buffer for apostille and shipping.
Q.Can the FBI deliver my check electronically instead of paper?
Yes — channelers typically deliver the FBI Identity History Summary as a digital PDF. However, the U.S. Department of State currently only apostilles paper originals. You'll need to print the FBI-signed PDF, then mail the paper version for apostille. Some channelers will print and mail the original to you for a small fee.
Q.My name changed after marriage or legal change. What do I do?
Your FBI check will show your current legal name. If your passport, diploma, or other visa documents use a different name, you must include apostilled name-change documentation — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — with your visa package. Korean immigration cross-references names across every document.
Q.I'm living abroad. Can I still apply for the FBI check?
As of 2023 FBI regulation updates, applications submitted from outside the U.S. have restrictions and cannot always be processed by channelers like Accurate Biometrics. You may need to have a trusted contact in the U.S. receive results on your behalf, or contact the FBI directly for international application guidance. Check the current rules on fbi.gov/services/cjis before starting.
Q.What if I have a criminal record — do I have to disclose it?
The Korean E-2 visa has specific disqualifying offenses (sexual crimes, drug trafficking, certain violent offenses). Not all records automatically disqualify you. If you have anything on your FBI check, speak to your Korvia recruiter privately BEFORE submitting your visa package. We'll review the record, advise on disclosure obligations, and recommend whether to proceed or consider alternative programs.
Ready to Teach in Korea?
Start your application with Korvia. We'll guide you through the FBI check, Department of State apostille, and every other U.S.-specific step of the E-2 visa process.