Seoul skyline representing FBI background check and apostille requirements for South Korea visas
South Korea Visa & Employment Requirement

FBI Background Check & Apostille for South Korea

If you are applying for a teaching position, work visa, or long-term stay in South Korea, you will typically be required to submit an FBI Identity History Summary with a federal apostille. We provide a complete service from fingerprint card submission through apostilled delivery.

Government Requirement

Why South Korea Requires an FBI Background Check

South Korean immigration authorities require foreign nationals—especially teachers and long-term visa applicants—to provide a national criminal history check from their home country. For U.S. citizens, this means an FBI Identity History Summary.

To be accepted by Korean immigration or employers, the FBI report must typically be authenticated with a federal apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Common Applicants

Who Typically Needs This for South Korea

  • English teachers applying for E-2 visas
  • Professionals relocating for employment
  • Long-term visa or residency applicants
  • U.S. citizens already living overseas
  • Applicants facing a firm visa or job deadline
Simple Process

From Fingerprints to Apostille in One Coordinated Workflow

  1. Get fingerprinted locally on an FD-258 card.
  2. Mail the card to our office.
  3. We digitize the card using FBI-approved high-resolution scanning equipment.
  4. Your prints are submitted through our partner FBI channeler.
  5. We retrieve your FBI report using CJIS-compliant U.S. access when needed.
  6. Your report is routed for federal apostille at the U.S. Department of State.
  7. The completed documents are delivered to you securely anywhere in the world.
Typical Timeframes

What Most South Korea Applicants Experience

FBI Result
Usually within 24 hours
after we receive usable fingerprints
Federal Apostille
About 10 business days
U.S. Department of State processing
Start Your South Korea Submission

FBI Background Check & Apostille for South Korea

Complete processing from your mailed FD-258 fingerprint card to secure FBI IdHS delivery, with optional U.S. Department of State apostille and tracked return shipping.

Typical FBI results within 24 hours after usable fingerprints are received.

If you are located inside the United States and prefer a domestic mail-in or in-person fingerprinting option, you may also use our U.S. service at Florida Document Specialists .