FBI Background Check
by Country

Do I Need an FBI Background Check for Another Country?

Maybe. It depends on the country and the type of application.

U.S. citizens applying for visas, residency, employment, or long-term stays abroad are sometimes required to submit an FBI fingerprint-based background check, also called an FBI Identity History Summary.

Some countries require it for most long-term visas. Others only request it in specific situations, such as employment, permanent residency, or status changes. Requirements vary by country, visa type, and issuing authority.

What’s Usually Required (Apostille, Translation, Validity)

When an FBI background check is required for international use, additional steps are often needed.

• Many countries require the document to be apostilled or authenticated before it can be accepted

• Apostille applies to countries in the Hague Apostille Convention

• Authentication or embassy attestation applies to countries outside the Hague Convention

• Some countries require the document to be translated, usually after apostille or authentication

• Most countries require the FBI background check to be issued within 90 to 180 days

Exact requirements depend on the destination country.

Country-Specific Requirements & How to Apply

Explore country-specific guides below to learn whether an FBI background check is required for your destination.

For Europe, explore our country-specific guides for Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Croatia, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Albania, and Iceland, where FBI background checks are commonly required for long-term visas, employment, and residency applications.

For the Americas, view our guides for Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas, where requirements vary depending on the type of visa, residency status, or immigration process.

For Asia, see our guides for South Korea, China, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and Armenia, where FBI background checks are commonly required for work visas, teaching roles, and long-term residency applications.

For the Middle East, review our guide for Israel, where FBI background checks may be required for employment, residency, and other official purposes.

For Africa, explore our guides for South Africa and Morocco, where FBI background checks may require authentication or legalization for employment, residency, and official use.

For Oceania, see our guide for Fiji, where FBI background checks may be requested for employment, residency, or long-term visa applications.

Certifix offers nationwide electronic enrollment for FBI fingerprint-based background checks used for international visa, residency, and employment applications.