How to Get a Criminal Background Check for Teaching English Abroad

If you’re planning to teach English abroad, chances are you’ll be asked for a criminal background check at some point—either by the government issuing your visa or by the school hiring you. In some countries like South Korea, it's a non-negotiable part of the visa process. In others, it's more of a formality, or even just an internal policy. Either way, it’s something you’ll want to handle early and correctly.

The tricky part is that requirements vary—not just between countries, but often between employers too. Some want a national-level check, some accept local police records, and a few will ask for both. Some demand fingerprinting, others don’t. Many require the check to be issued within a recent time frame—typically under 3 or 6 months old—and some need it apostilled or legalized for international use.

So how do you know which one to get, and where to start? Let’s break it down by nationality.

What Kind of Check Do You Need?

Before you start applying for jobs or visas, it’s essential to understand the difference between types of background checks. The two main types are:

• National checks: These are issued by your country’s federal law enforcement agency (e.g., FBI in the U.S., RCMP in Canada, AFP in Australia). They often include fingerprint records and are preferred—or required—for international use.
• Local or basic police checks: These are usually issued by a regional or city police department or an online government portal. They may be accepted by some schools or countries, but not always sufficient for visas.

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• Visas usually require a national-level check.
• Employers may ask for either, depending on their policies.
• Fingerprinting is sometimes required, especially for national checks.
• Apostille or legalization may be needed to validate the check for foreign governments—especially for countries in Asia and the Middle East.

United States: FBI Check or Local Police

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you’ll most commonly be asked to submit either an FBI background check or a police check from your local jurisdiction. Here's how they differ:

FBI Identity History Summary (National)

• This is the gold standard for visa purposes in countries like South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and UAE.
• It includes a full national criminal history report based on your fingerprints.
• You can apply online or by mail through the official FBI portal: 👉 https://www.edo.cjis.gov
• Expect to submit:
  • A fingerprint form (FD-1164)
  • Payment (usually ~$18)
  • Application form (online or printed)

💡 You can speed things up by using an FBI-approved channeler if you're short on time. Channelers offer quicker processing (sometimes under 48 hours) for an extra fee.

Local or State Police Check

• May be faster and easier to get, especially if you need something urgently.
• Typically accepted by some Latin American or European employers or for non-visa roles.
• Not usually accepted for work visas in countries like South Korea or Japan.

👉 For a detailed walkthrough, check our guide: How to Get an FBI Background Check for Teaching Abroad

Canada: Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC)

If you're a Canadian looking to teach abroad, the Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) from the RCMP is the most widely accepted document for visa and employment purposes.

• This check is issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and must include fingerprints for visa eligibility in countries like South Korea, China, and UAE.
• You can’t apply directly to the RCMP for this check anymore—you’ll need to go through an accredited fingerprinting agency or service provider in your province.
• Processing times vary but can take 1–2 weeks plus mailing time.
• If you’re applying from abroad, you can usually get fingerprinted at a local police station and send them by courier to a Canadian agency.

👉 Official Info: RCMP Criminal Record Checks

United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

If you're based in the UK, you’ll need a Basic Disclosure—but where and how you apply depends on your region. These are straightforward to obtain and typically accepted in countries that don’t require fingerprint-based records.

England & Wales

• Apply for a Basic Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• This check shows unspent convictions only and is widely accepted by schools and employers abroad.
• Apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record
• Cost: £25
• Typical processing time: ~14 calendar days

Scotland

• Apply through Disclosure Scotland for the same type of Basic Disclosure.
• Cost: £25, and processing is similar to DBS.
• You’ll need to verify your identity and provide address history for the past 5 years.
• Link: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

Northern Ireland

• Apply through AccessNI for a Basic Check.
• This process requires slightly more ID verification—three documents, one with a photo.
• Cost: £26
• Link: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-online-basic-check

💡 Note: While these checks are fine for many teaching jobs, some Asian countries (like South Korea or UAE) may require a more thorough or apostilled check. Always check your visa or employer’s requirements before applying.

Ireland: Police Certificate from the Gardaí

Irish citizens applying to teach English abroad will usually need a Police Certificate issued by An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force).

• This certificate is accepted for visa and work permit purposes and confirms whether or not you have a criminal record.
• It’s issued on official Garda letterhead with your name, birthdate, address history, and any convictions.
• The certificate is free of charge if requested for immigration, visa, or overseas employment.
• You can apply in person at your local Garda station — or, if abroad, email your application directly to the Garda station where you last lived in Ireland.
• Processing time is typically 2–4 weeks, but may take longer in busy periods.
• You may need to include:
  • A completed application form
  • Copy of your passport or national ID
  • Proof of address history
  • A letter from the employer, recruiter, or consulate requesting the check

✅ Tip: While the certificate itself doesn’t expire, many countries want it issued within the last 3–6 months, so don’t apply too early.

🔗 Official Garda Police Certificate Info

Australia: National Police Check

If you’re based in Australia, you’ll need a National Police Check issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

• This is a name-based check, not fingerprint-based, though some countries (e.g. China or Saudi Arabia) may request fingerprinting.
• The certificate shows disclosable court outcomes, if any, and is widely accepted for visa applications and teaching jobs abroad.
• Cost: AUD $42
• You can apply entirely online—you’ll just need ID and a current Australian address.
• Link: AFP National Police Check Info

📦 Physical copies are usually mailed, so plan ahead if you’re on a tight deadline.

New Zealand: Criminal Record Check

New Zealanders planning to teach abroad can request a Criminal Record Check from the Ministry of Justice.

• The check is free when you request it for yourself (third parties may incur fees).
• It shows any criminal convictions from New Zealand court records.
• Widely accepted for visa applications—though some countries may require an apostille or extra authentication.
• Processing time: up to 20 working days (so apply early if you're heading overseas).
• Apply online here: https://www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records/get-your-own/

📝 Pro tip: If you need the document apostilled, request that alongside your application or send it to the Department of Internal Affairs once issued.

South Africa: Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

South Africans will need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to teach in most countries abroad.

• This certificate confirms whether you have any criminal convictions registered in South Africa.
• It requires fingerprints, which can be taken at your local police station or via an accredited fingerprinting service.
• PCCs are often valid for 6 months, and must be apostilled by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) if you're using it overseas.
• Processing time is 4 to 8 weeks, though expedited services exist through third-party agencies.
• Official info: SAPS PCC Page

📦 If you're applying from abroad, you can courier your documents to SAPS or use an approved agency to speed things up.

Do You Need Legalization or an Apostille?

Once you've got your background check, the next question is whether you need to legalize it for international use.

• Apostilles are required for teaching in countries part of the Hague Apostille Convention, including South Korea, Japan, Spain, and China. The apostille certifies the document for international use without further embassy or consular legalization.
• Legalization is still needed for countries not part of the Hague Convention (e.g. Vietnam, Thailand, UAE, or Saudi Arabia). That means you'll need to go through your home country’s apostille (if applicable) and then have the document legalized by the destination country’s consulate.
• Some destinations may also ask for a certified translation of your police check if it's not in their official language.

📌 Always check your visa authority or school’s documentation checklist—they’ll specify whether an apostille, consular legalization, translation, or some combination is needed.

Tips for Timing, Delivery & Extras

Getting your background check sorted is all about timing and organization.

• Most checks are valid for 6 months, so don’t apply too early—or too late.
• Some documents take weeks (or longer), especially if fingerprinting or apostilles are involved.
• Make digital scans and store physical copies in a safe place—you might be asked to show them again after arrival.
• If you plan to teach abroad for several years, some countries may ask you to renew your police check later.
• Double-check with your school or recruiter: Do they need an apostille, translation, or extra copies?

🕒 Planning ahead saves stress—especially when visa deadlines are tight.

Conclusion: One Step Closer to Teaching Abroad

Getting a police check might seem like a chore, but it's one of the last big steps before your TEFL adventure begins.

Each country has its own process, but with a little research and patience, you'll have the right paperwork in hand. From fingerprint cards to apostilles, it's all part of getting cleared to live and work in an exciting new place.

✈️ Ready to go? Make sure the rest of your documents are in order, and explore our [TEFL Requirements by Country] guide to compare everything from visa rules to salaries and peak hiring seasons.