international background check online

Understanding the methods of conducting an international background check may seem intimidating, especially when you consider how many countries there are.

And unfortunately, what many people are never told is that these checks are quite different from domestic background searches. In other words, using level 1 and level 2 background checks as a frame of reference isn’t a good idea.

Because there is no international database that allows all nations to submit criminal and public records, these records must be garnered individually.

The details involved are often overlooked, which can cause serious problems in how long it takes to get an international background check.

This comprehensive guide outlines everything involved with every aspect of what shows up on a background check conducted for international purposes, and the intricate details required.

What Is International Criminal Background Check? Understanding International Criminal History Check (ICHC)

An international criminal background check is a tool used to screen and vet candidates who have lived in various locations around the globe, also called an international criminal history check (ICHC). This check examines criminal records in over 200 countries, provinces and territories.

Instead of solely United States-based candidates looking to apply for an open position, the international background check provides employers with information regarding individuals who have previously studied, lived, or worked in other countries.

But, issues can arise because all countries have different records keeping processes and various agencies. This means that although international crime databases are also checked, any records from where a person has lived must be requested manually.

An international criminal background check for employment is a full-scale employment screening allowing business owners to make educated decisions for their hiring processes, ensuring the candidate information is accurate and trustworthy and confirming the candidate in question has the necessary skills for the open job.

An international criminal background check uses various information from a person’s past to create search record of the person in question. The international criminal background check can include:

• Criminal records–But also law enforcement and anti-corruption database searches to verify criminal connections.
• Employment history
• Education credentials
• Reputation exaggeration, lying about the experience and/or success
• Possible and Current political connections
• Financial Records
• Tax Records

In addition to these checks, some countries require a police certification as well as authentication of FBI certificates showing a lack of criminal record.

How Do International Background Check Services Work?

An international background check consists of analyzing records in the location where an applicant has lived, and by doing so, limits the risks involved for a person’s transfer or relocation.

For example, if a person lived and worked in France, the international background check checks the records in France in terms of work, occupation, education, and criminal records.

Another example of using this comprehensive background check is if a person plans to move to the United States to get a job. In this case, the person will have to obtain their Police Clearance Certificate in the USA. Learning the eligibility for this can help determine the steps of undergoing an international background check.

Worldwide Background Check Vs I9 Background Check

A worldwide background check is used to screen candidates who are, or did, live, work, or study outside of the United States.

An I9 background check includes additional verification used to assist the preset Background Check application programming interface (API). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the I-9 Form to confirm that employees are allowed to work in the United States.

The Form I-9 is used to verify identity employment authorization and is mandatory for all employers.

This form is completed by both the potential employee and the employer does not require a social security number and must be used to re-verify expired authorization.

What’s Included On Global Verification (International Background Check for Employment)

The Global Verification Network is a database that includes numerous variations of a person’s past regarding their employment, education, and criminal history.

This type of global verification check is also known as background checks, international checks, or a background screening process that is used to verify a person’s credentials.

The type of information in a pre-employment background check depends on the specific job position that must be filled, the company’s policies in question, the kind of business, the educational institution, or the criminal history of the person in question for the role.

In most instances, the screening process included in the Global Verification screening has:

• Reference checks
• Past education history
• Past employment history
• Criminal record
• Warrants
• Any Derogatory Records
• Every Nation and State where a person has resided
• Pending Litigation
• Pending and Sealed charges
• Driving and Tax records where a person has resided

The international background check basically includes every single document and risk assessment that can be obtained from another country.

Can I Do A Free International Background Check Online?

Individuals can conduct a free background check online for some aspects, like domestic sex offender registries, but for international records, no free options exist.

Although a background check can be done at the state level, the county court clerk’s office or the sheriff’s office for a small fee, conducting an internet background check requires more resources and information.

In this case, a free international background check is hard to come by. The best international background check option is to use a paid service that provides truthful, current, and reliable information regarding the person in question.

Finding International Background Check Service Options (International Criminal Search)

Many agencies are dedicated to conducting international checks. To find a reputable one, follow these steps:

Step 1. Perform a Google search of “International background Check services.”

Research 2-3 of the top-rated services, many of which will also search INTERPOL for various criminal records.

Step 2. Follow the steps outlined to order a background check.

How Far Back Do International Background Checks Go?

Regarding criminal records, it is possible to conduct a criminal record search that goes back multiple decades. Since there are no federal limits for the length of criminal convictions, an employer can use a person’s entire lifetime when conducting a background search. However, some states have limited the length of the look-back period.

For example, California has a look-back period of 7 years. Even so, the federal law is that there is no limit on criminal convictions (which means laws enacted by 10 year background check states technically don’t apply). Therefore, the international background check goes back to the entire person’s life when looking at their criminal record.

How Long Does It Take For An International Background Check?

The length of time it takes to conduct and receive the results of an international background check will depend on the international laws, the country in which the person resided, and the person’s specific history. The average time for an international background check is between 5 days and three weeks.

Since the rules vary depending on a broad mixture of laws and regulations in other countries worldwide, this can slow the process. Some countries’ databases and corporations are slower-moving than others, causing a delay in the retrieval time frame. For those who are wondering about the total time for an international background check — how long will it take? — it can be helpful to know the varying rules regarding each country.

In addition, regulations may be more complicated than individuals will find in the United States. For example, suppose a United States-based employer must conduct a professional background check for an international candidate who worked or studied in the European Union.

In that case, they will have to obtain the Fair Credit Reporting Act disclosure, the Fair Credit Reporting Act authorization, and the European Union Data Transfer content.

Understanding the international time frame is critical for employers and employees to know before the process begins. Some of the most common time frames are as follows:

• Credit Report — 10 to 15 business days, but an international credit report must be transferred to a United States credit-rating company, which can lengthen the time period.

• Business Credit Report — 5-10 business days; useful for when a U.S. company requires a foreign company as a partner or to make purchases.
• Civil Records Report — 10 to 15 business days; useful for browsing an international civil court search to find patterns of unwanted character.
• Criminal Records Search — 10 to 20 business days; international job candidates must verify their criminal convictions or lack of criminal record.
• Federal Criminal Background Checks — 5 to 10 business days; criminal databases are kept by federal agencies to find a person’s criminal background.
• Education Verification — 10 to 20 business days; employers may require the international candidate to verify their transcript or education degrees.
  • This check will verify the individual’s institution’s name, attendance periods, completion date, and degrees or majors obtained.
• Employment History Verification — 10 to 20 business days; U.S. employers need to verify the legitimacy of a company or employee before hiring.

Learning the basics of how to conduct an international background check is essential to following local, state, federal, and international laws.