Korea Only Accepts Federal Records
State police checks, county background checks, and city-level reports are not accepted by Korean immigration. The only document Korean immigration accepts for the E-2 teaching visa is the FBI Identity History Summary, also called the Official Record of Arrests and Prosecutions. This is the federal-level criminal record check issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Because the FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, it must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC — not by a state Secretary of State. This is a critical distinction that trips up many first-time applicants. The apostille is the final authentication step; once you have it, the document is ready for the E-2 visa application. No further review by a Korean consulate is required to authenticate the FBI report itself.
Federal vs State Apostille — Important Distinction
US documents fall into two apostille categories depending on who issued them:
- Federal documents (FBI Identity History Summary): Must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC. State Secretaries of State cannot apostille federal documents.
- State documents (university diploma, transcripts, marriage certificate): Apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. You can also use any state where the document is properly notarized — it does not have to be the state where you currently live.
This guide covers the FBI / federal route only. For diploma apostille (state route), see the full apostille guide.
Important
The FBI Identity History Summary must be issued within 6 months of your contract start date in Korea. Plan the timeline so the apostille completes 2–3 months before your departure — too early and the document expires, too late and you miss the visa deadline.
Step 1: Submit Your FBI Request via an Approved Channeler
A channeler is a private company authorized by the FBI to capture fingerprints electronically and submit Identity History Summary requests on your behalf. Channelers are dramatically faster than mailing fingerprint cards directly to the FBI.
Korvia's recommended channeler is Accurate Biometrics, our official partner with experience handling international visa applications. Fieldprint is also accepted. The FBI publishes the full list of approved channelers at fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks.
The Channeler Process
- Schedule an appointment with Accurate Biometrics or another approved channeler.
- Bring valid government photo ID and your Social Security card.
- The channeler captures your fingerprints electronically.
- The channeler submits to the FBI on your behalf.
- You receive the Identity History Summary by email or mail in 2–6 weeks.
Cost: Channeler service fee ranges $35–$85 depending on the provider, plus the $18 FBI fee. Total typically falls between $53 and $103.
Korvia Tip
For international visa applicants, channeler turnaround can vary based on the FBI's processing queue. Plan for the upper end (6 weeks) rather than assuming the lower end (2 weeks). Build in buffer for the apostille step that follows.
Direct FBI Submission by Mail (Slow Path)
If a channeler is unavailable, you can mail fingerprint cards directly to the FBI. This route takes 12–16 weeks — significantly slower than the channeler path. Not recommended for international visa applicants.
- Download fingerprint card FD-258 from fbi.gov/services/identification.
- Get fingerprints inked at a local police station or fingerprinting service.
- Mail the card with $18 fee to the FBI processing center.
- Wait 12–16 weeks for return.
Step 2: US Department of State Apostille
After receiving your FBI Identity History Summary, send it to the Office of Authentications at the US Department of State. They issue the apostille that Korean immigration requires.
Three Apostille Routes
The State Department offers three service tiers — choose based on your timeline:
- Mail (standard): 5+ weeks processing. Mail your request with USPS trackable mail and pre-paid return envelope (USPS or UPS only).
- Walk-in (Washington DC): 7 business days. Drop off in person at the Office of Authentications, Mondays–Thursdays, 7:30–9:00 AM.
- Emergency appointment: Under 2 weeks (often same-day) for travelers under 2 weeks from departure. Requires proof of international travel and family emergency documentation. Mondays–Thursdays, 10:00 AM–2:30 PM.
Cost: $20 per document for all three tiers.
Critical: Do NOT Use FedEx
The Office of Authentications does not accept FedEx on return envelopes. Documents sent with FedEx return labels will not be returned. Use USPS Priority Mail with tracking or UPS on the return envelope. This is the single most common cause of apostille return failures for international applicants.
Mailing Address
Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
44132 Mercure Circle
P.O. Box 1206
Sterling, VA 20166-1206
Realistic Timeline by Route
| Stage | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FBI via Channeler (recommended) | 2–6 weeks | $53–$103 (channeler $35–$85 + FBI $18) |
| FBI direct by mail (slow) | 12–16 weeks | $18 (FBI only) |
| DoS apostille — mail | 5+ weeks | $20 per document |
| DoS apostille — walk-in | 7 business days | $20 per document |
| DoS apostille — emergency | Under 2 weeks (proof of travel required) | $20 per document |
Total Time Scenarios (Apostille Only)
The numbers below cover the FBI report + DoS apostille only. The E-2 visa application at the Korean Consulate is a separate process.
- Best case (channeler + walk-in apostille): 4–9 weeks
- Standard case (channeler + mail apostille): 7–11 weeks
- Worst case (direct FBI mail + mail apostille): 17–21 weeks
After Apostille: E-2 Visa Application (Separate Process)
Once your FBI report is apostilled by DoS, the document is fully authenticated. The Korean Consulate does notre-review or re-authenticate the apostille — they simply accept it as part of your E-2 visa application packet. The E-2 visa application is a separate process from the apostille; it's covered in detail in our E-2 visa guide.
Other Documents You'll Need for the E-2 Visa
- Apostilled FBI Identity History Summary (issued within 6 months of contract start)
- Apostilled university diploma — apostilled by the state Secretary of State, not DoS, since diplomas are state documents
- Sealed university transcripts
- Valid US passport (6+ months remaining)
- Employment contract from your Korean school
- Medical exam results (chest X-ray, blood test)
- Passport photos (4×6 cm)
- Completed E-2 visa application form (provided by consulate)
Common Mistakes US Teachers Make
- Using FedEx on the apostille return envelope: The Office of Authentications will not return your document via FedEx. Use USPS Priority Mail tracking or UPS only.
- Submitting a state-level background check: Korean immigration accepts only the federal FBI Identity History Summary.
- Skipping the apostille: An un-apostilled FBI report is automatically rejected — no exceptions.
- Underestimating the timeline: Channeler 2–6 weeks + apostille 5+ weeks (mail) means 7–11 weeks total. Start early.
- Letting the 6-month window expire: The FBI report must be issued within 6 months of your contract start. Time the request so the apostille completes 2–3 months before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which FBI document do I need — Identity History Summary or other reports?
The FBI Identity History Summary (also called the Official Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) is the only document Korean immigration accepts for the E-2 teaching visa. It is the federal-level criminal record check; state or county checks are not accepted.
What is an approved FBI channeler, and how do I find one?
A channeler is a private company authorized by the FBI to capture fingerprints electronically and submit Identity History Summary requests on your behalf. Korvia recommends Accurate Biometrics, our official partner. Fieldprint is also acceptable. The full list of approved channelers is published at fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. Channeler turnaround is typically 2–6 weeks total; cost is $35–$85 (channeler fee) plus $18 (FBI fee).
Why is FedEx not accepted on the apostille return envelope?
The US Department of State Office of Authentications explicitly does not accept FedEx on return envelopes for apostille requests. You must use USPS or UPS for the return label. This is the single most common mistake US applicants make — using FedEx on the return causes documents to not be sent back. Use USPS Priority Mail Tracking or UPS instead.
Do I need both FBI and state police records?
No. Korean immigration requires only the FBI Identity History Summary at the federal level. State or county police checks are not accepted as substitutes. Confirm with your Korean academy or recruiter, but the FBI report with US State Department apostille is the standard E-2 visa requirement.
How long is the FBI document valid for the Korean E-2 visa?
The FBI Identity History Summary must be issued within 6 months of your contract start date for Korean immigration acceptance. Plan to start the process 3–4 months before your target arrival in Korea so the apostilled document is well within the 6-month window.
What's the realistic total timeline for FBI + apostille?
Best case (channeler + DoS walk-in): approximately 4–9 weeks total — 2–6 weeks for the FBI report via channeler, plus 7 business days at the State Department walk-in service. Standard case (channeler + DoS mail): 7–11 weeks. Worst case (direct FBI mail + DoS mail): 17–21 weeks. Build in buffer time.
Apply With Korvia
As EPIK's exclusive international recruiting partner since 2008, Korvia guides US teachers through every visa document step — FBI background check coordination, apostille timing, and full E-2 visa preparation. Free for teachers.