FBI Background Check for Visa Applications: All You Need to Know

Applying for a visa can involve more than your passport and standard supporting documents, especially if you have lived in the U.S. The visa authority may ask for proof of your U.S. criminal record history.

The exact requirements of the application can vary by visa category and your destination country. This includes whether your FBI Background Check needs to be recent, authenticated, or translated before it can be submitted. In this guide, we will cover these requirements and how Globeia can help with your FBI documentation and background check submission for a visa application.  

Based on your destination country and visa requirements, an FBI Background Check may be requested for applications such as:

• Long-Term Stay Visas
• Digital Nomad Visas
• Work Permits & Regulated Employment
• Residency & Dual Citizenship
• International Adoption
• Family and Dependent Visas
• Other Visa Categories Requiring Criminal-Record Documentation

Not sure whether an FBI Background Check is actually required for your visa? Check the requirements issued for your specific application:

• Visa authority - Check your official document checklist requirements related to police certificates, criminal records, or background checks.  
• Embassy or consulate - Read the instructions provided by the authority handling your application. These may include additional document requirements for applicants with a U.S. criminal-record history.
• Online application portal - many online visa systems also list required supporting documents during the application process. Review the instructions carefully to check whether you need an FBI Background Check for your visa application.
• Visa-specific instructions - Visa requirements can be different based on the visa category and country you are applying for. Always check the instructions that correspond to your particular visa.
• Police certificate requirements - Confirm if the requesting authority is asking for an FBI Identity History Summary or another U.S. record.  

If the country you are moving to is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille may be required. An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document so it cannot be apostilled by a local state notary or Secretary of State. It is obtained through the U.S. Department of State.

Confirm the apostille requirements with the requesting authority. A reliable international background check and apostille coordinator like Globeia can help you understand the requirements and coordinate the process for your FBI Identity History Summary and apostille.

Read this for more information on How to Submit Your FBI Background Check for an Apostille.

Whether you need to translate the FBI Background Check for a visa application depends on the official language of the destination country.

If you are moving to a country, such as Germany, Spain, South Korea, where English is not the primary language, you may need to get the FBI Identity History Summary and the apostille translated.

The documents are usually needed to be translated in a legally accepted way for a visa application and must meet specific guidelines. 

Where to Get Your FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille Translated

Professional certified translation service providers that specialize in visa documents, are usually recommended to get their documents translated. Depending on the country you are applying to, sometimes it also becomes mandatory to hire a certified translator based inside your destination country rather than a U.S.-based translator. 

Before submitting the documents, you need to ensure consistency in the following personal information across all the documents:

• Full Legal Name: Double-check details, like middle name, hyphens, spelling, spaces, and suffixes where applicable.
• Date and Place of Birth: The date and place of birth in your FBI Identity History Summary should match the date provided in your visa application and passport.
• Former Names or Aliases: If you have previously used another legal name, alias, or maiden name, make sure to disclose it wherever the visa application or FBI process requires it.
• Passport Information: Verify the passport number and other information provided in your visa application correspond to the passport you are submitting.

A final comparison of these details can help you identify inconsistencies before submitting your FBI Identity History Summary with your visa application. 

Preparing for an FBI Background Check for a visa application can be challenging, especially if you have strict deadlines and specific document requirements. Many documents may need to meet specific requirements by the FBI as well as visa or immigration authorities of the destination country.

Globeia helps coordinate the FBI Background Check process for international visa applicants, including documentation preparation and submission.

This is how FBI Background Check for visa applicants can benefit from Globeia’s services: 

• FBI Background Check Coordination

Globeia’s professional associates help coordinate your FBI Background Check from fingerprinting and document preparation to submission. It helps you prepare the required documentation for your visa application.

• Fingerprinting Support

Globeia provides FBI-compliant fingerprinting support to help ensure your fingerprint card is properly completed before submission. You can also opt for Globeia’s mobile fingerprinting services where a fingerprint associate visits you at your preferred location and time and captures your fingerprints.

• Document Review

Your FBI documentation is reviewed for completeness and common errors before submission. It helps reduce avoidable issues during the process.

• FBI Submission Coordination through Globeia Inc. in the U.S.

Globeia coordinates the submission of your fingerprint documents for the FBI Background Check through Globeia Inc. in the United States.

• Certified Translation Coordination

If the visa authority requires the FBI document to be translated, Globeia can assist with coordinating the required certified translation.

• Apostille & Authentication Coordination

If your destination country requires the FBI Identity History Summary to be apostilled or authenticated, Globeia can assist with the relevant documentation process. 

Learn more about what is an FBI Background Check and How Globeia can assist you get one for your visa application.

The acceptance of an FBI Background Check application can depend on how it fits the requirements of your destination country. Its relevance, format, and supporting documentation can all matter when it is submitted for international use.

You need to ensure that it is prepared appropriately for the application it supports. Getting professional assistance to understand the requirements before submission can help you avoid unnecessary complications and move forward with greater confidence. 

Start Your FBI Background Check for Visa Application with Globeia