Guide
FBI Background Check for the Korea E-2 Teaching Visa
Korea is strict about two things: the check must be national, and the apostille must be federal.
Quick answer
Yes. Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires E-2 applicants to submit a criminal record check covering the whole country, issued by the national government and apostilled — for Americans, the FBI Identity History Summary. The government EPIK program rejects state-level checks and state apostilles and wants the check dated within 6 months of the contract start date.
Key takeaways
- The check must cover the whole country — for the U.S., the FBI report.
- It must carry an apostille; EPIK requires the federal apostille and rejects state apostilles.
- EPIK: dated within 6 months of the contract start date, with a physical apostille on the physical report.
- Returning to Korea more than 3 months after leaving? You need a new check for a new E-2.
What Korea asks for
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | A criminal record check covering your whole country, from your country’s government, with that country’s apostille |
|---|---|
| EPIK: level | Checks issued below the national level are not accepted |
| EPIK: apostille | A physical federal-level apostille on the physical report; a state apostille is not accepted |
| EPIK: age | Dated within 6 months of the contract start date |
| Re-entry | A new check if more than 3 months pass between leaving Korea and re-entering on a new E-2 |
The FBI report needs the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. A state apostille on a notarized copy or on a state police check won’t work. See what an FBI report needs before it can be apostilled.
Private academies (hagwons) may set their own timing. Ask your employer which date they count from.
Getting the FBI report ready
We handle the federal side. If you already have your FBI report, mail it to us for the FBI background check apostille — $299, about 10–12 business days. If you still need the report, the FBI check + apostille bundle is $399, about 12–14 business days, starting with an in-person appointment at our West Palm Beach or Miami office. You get back the original FBI report, issued by the FBI with its seal and signature, with the U.S. Department of State apostille attached. We review every document before we submit it.
Our bundle takes about 12–14 business days. For EPIK, count 6 months back from your contract start date, not from your application date. Check your dates with the processing time estimator.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Korea E-2 visa need an FBI background check?
Yes. Korea requires a national criminal record check with an apostille. For Americans, that is the FBI Identity History Summary.
Will Korea accept a state background check or state apostille?
No. EPIK states that checks below the national level and state-level apostilles are not accepted. You need the FBI report with the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
How recent must the FBI check be for EPIK?
Dated within 6 months of the contract start date.
Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea — E-2 visa requirements · EPIK (Korean Ministry of Education program) — Criminal record check guidelines · U.S. Department of State — Criminal Record Checks. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
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