Apostille Background Check by Country (for a Visa)
Which countries need an apostilled FBI background check, and how we handle it
In short: A large number of countries require an apostilled criminal background check for a visa, residency permit, or work permit — and for U.S. applicants that is normally the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Because all of the countries below are Hague Apostille Convention members, they accept an apostille rather than embassy legalization. Efficient Biometrics does the Live Scan fingerprinting (FBI results in about 1–8 hours) and coordinates the apostille.
Who needs an apostilled background check for a visa?
If you're applying for residency, a long-stay visa, a work permit, or citizenship abroad, the consulate very often asks for a criminal-record certificate — and it must be apostilled to be accepted. For U.S. applicants the certificate is usually the nationwide FBI Identity History Summary, whose apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State. Some countries and consulates instead accept a state-level Illinois State Police check, which we can apostille at the Illinois Secretary of State.
Countries that require an apostilled background check
Every country below is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so an apostille (not embassy legalization) is the correct authentication. Pick your destination for the specific visas and requirements:
Europe
- Spain — the NLV, digital nomad, work & student visas
- Portugal — the D7, D8 & Golden Visa routes
- Italy — elective residency & work visas
- Greece — the Golden Visa & digital nomad visa
- Germany — the freelancer, Blue Card & Opportunity Card routes
- France — the long-stay & Talent Passport visas
- Netherlands — the DAFT & highly-skilled migrant routes
- Ireland — employment permits & long-stay immigration
Asia
- South Korea — the E-2 teaching visa (and E-7/F-series)
- Japan — Highly Skilled Professional & certain work visas
- China — the Z work visa & work-permit process
- Philippines — the 9(g) work, 13(a) marriage & SRRV visas
- India — employment visas & OCI paperwork
The Americas
- Mexico — temporary & permanent residency
- Brazil — permanent (VIPER) & work (VITEM) visas
- Colombia — the M (migrant), digital nomad & marriage visas
- Costa Rica — pensionado, rentista & inversionista residency
- Panama — Friendly Nations, pensionado & investor residency
- Argentina — rentista & residency applications
- Ecuador — pensioner, investor & professional residency
- Chile — temporary residency & work visas
- Peru — resident (rentista/work) visas
Oceania
- Australia — partner, skilled-migration & citizenship
- New Zealand — residence-class visas
Middle East
- Saudi Arabia — work visas & Iqama
Headed somewhere that is not a Hague member — such as the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait? Those require embassy legalization instead; see our UAE attestation page.
New to apostilles? Start with our Illinois apostille from out of state overview.
How we get it done — fast
- Live Scan fingerprinting on site. As an authorized FBI channeling agency in Naperville, we capture your fingerprints electronically and submit them straight to the FBI — no ink cards, no mailing. Walk in or call/text 847-436-5222.
- FBI results in about 1–8 hours. You receive your FBI Identity History Summary the same day in most cases, instead of the 8–14 weeks a direct mail submission takes.
- We coordinate the apostille. Because the FBI report is a federal document, its apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State — we prepare the report correctly and guide you through (or handle) that step so it's accepted abroad.
- Delivered and tracked. Back to you or straight to your destination, domestic or international, with status you can follow the whole way.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) and an authorized FBI channeling agency — Live Scan fingerprints, same-day FBI results, and apostille coordination under one roof. Same-day and walk-in fingerprinting is often available. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Two paths worth knowing: a nationwide FBI background check is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, while some countries and consulates accept a state-level criminal-history check — an Illinois State Police report, which we can apostille directly at the Illinois Secretary of State. Tell us your destination country and visa and we'll confirm exactly which one your consulate requires.
Related: how to get an FBI background check in Naperville and apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries require an apostilled FBI background check for a visa?
Common ones include Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, India, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by visa type -- see each country's page.
Is it an apostille or embassy legalization?
For any Hague Apostille Convention member country it's an apostille. Non-members such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait require embassy legalization instead.
Who issues the apostille on an FBI background check?
The U.S. Department of State, because the FBI report is a federal document. Illinois cannot apostille a federal report -- but it can apostille an Illinois State Police check where a country accepts a state-level certificate.
How fast can I get everything done?
The FBI check itself is typically ready in about 1-8 hours via Live Scan channeling; the apostille step is then coordinated for you. Call or text 847-436-5222.