Footprints Recruiting

Expungement does not erase a crime and the FBI will continue them and even report arrest records were there was no conviction or even trial. I would say do not count on expungement to make it clear sailing. Even U.S. Immigration does not recognize expungement of crimes committed by aliens entering the U.S.

Expungement is being tossed around as if it is a viable solution. In California, nothing is removed from your record. You can get a misdeameanors 'dismissed', but the offense will still appear on your record with the word 'dismissed' as the outcome.

I believe another individual, on a different thread, asked a pointed question about which countries he should focus on applying to since he was certain his criminal background check wouldn't come back clean, and they continued with the same 'expungement' line.

Again, an 'expungement', in California, changes the verdict since you have to step in front of a judge once again, but if its listed on your record, whomever is providing the visa will definitely get a gander at whatever it is you're trying to remove.

Does anyone know if a criminal background check is necessary when applying for positions in the Middle East?

A criminal background check that is done at the State Level or higher is required to teach ESL in South Korea.


Your criminal background check can not be older than 6 months.

It is not required for Taiwan or China.

South Korean immigration is looking for a criminal background check that is “clear” or “not clear.”

A sex offender registry or vulnerable record check is no longer required.

This means that they can reject your application for a visa for any issue that is raised on your criminal background check. They do not have to take the nature of the offence, when it occurred or whatever special circumstances surrounding the issue that may exist, into consideration. South Korean immigration wants a “clear” background check.

Further, South Korean immigration takes offences related to violence, alcohol and drugs very seriously. This means that, even though your State may treat a DUI as a misdemeanor, South Korean Immigration will treat it seriously. Even if your State has a misdemeanor possession policy for some types of infractions related to drugs, South Korean Immigration will treat it seriously.

If you are applying for a public school they will also ask if your driver’s license has been revoked for any reason.

Your background check is required to be done at the State Level. A local background check will not suffice. In instances where your State does not perform or disclose State Level background checks, you will have to go to the Federal Level (FBI).

If you are currently in South Korea, or are otherwise overseas, and require a criminal background check, you will need to obtain a Federal Level (FBI) check.

Your background check must be from the State you are applying from. If you are from California, but live in New York and are applying from New York, your background check must be from the State of New York.

If you are a Canadian or British, and are currently living in the United States, your record check must be from the country you are from.

South Korean Immigration may ask you to provide addresses for previous residencies. This is done to ensure that you are not trying to sneak through by obtaining a criminal record check from another State.

If you have an “unclear” criminal background check, you should take whatever steps necessary to get your criminal background check cleared. In some jurisdictions, you can have your record expunged so that previous infractions do not appear. If you live in a jurisdiction that does not expunge offences, or still lists the offences as having occurred, then you run the risk of being turned down by South Korean Immigration.

Even if you have a charge that has been dismissed, and it shows up on your record check as being dismissed, you will likely still be turned down for a visa.

It is advisable that you do not attempt to apply for a visa without a “clear” background check. If you are turned down, you are in the system. Should you have your background check “cleared” afterward, the next time you will apply, you will be asked if you have applied before, and if you were turned down, for what reason. As you are in the system already, you will not be able to lie, and they may elect to turn down any further applications for a visa.

To summarize, you need a “clear” criminal background check that is done at the State level or higher.