To live and work in the United States is a life-long goal of many people living in other countries.  For the most part employers, hungrily competing for the best and brightest, have welcomed the international applicants into the U.S. job market.   Developing a reasoned and meaningful employment screening process for U.S citizens can be a difficult enough, but how can employers perform a due diligence background check on people just arriving from other countries? 

Immigrants applying for a visa are required to supply a variety of documents, including police records, to the Department of State.  However, experience has shown us that the State Department does not have the ability to thoroughly check the background of all visa applicants.   For years it has been possible, albeit very costly, for an employer to check the background of a newly arrived immigrant.  In recent years the process has become somewhat more feasible to the average employer, yet there are still many inherent problems with the international background check.  Here are a few suggestions that will help.

Criminal History Searches

 A criminal history search, a standard part of any background check, is anything but “standard” in most countries.  Some countries simply do not release criminal data to third parties.  Others will make records available, but convictions are purged from the record after only a few years.  And in still other countries, courts and police agencies can be influenced by bribes.   The biggest obstacle with the international criminal search is that countries simply do not have the information technology, data storage, or networking capabilities that we enjoy in the United States.

Despite the problems and pitfalls, many employers are concluding they can no longer gloss over the background check when it comes to international applicants.  At the very least, if called into a court of law, employers should be able to demonstrate their decision to hire was based on a reasoned and useful exercise, and not on an intuitive guess.

Employment Screening Services offers its clients the ability to check for criminal records in most foreign countries. Searches are conducted through experienced, local specialists who have a thorough knowledge in the ways and means of accessing criminal information in their given area.  Prices vary between countries (See www.essclientservices.com).  Turnaround times vary from 1-2 days to six weeks.  Most average between 1-2 weeks.  

Information Needed for any International Criminal Check

• 1.      Full name (including mother’s maiden name for Hispanic countries)

• 2.      Date of birth

• 3.      Complete address (city, country; include street address when possible) 

Employment Verification

The key to a successful international employment verification is to obtain as much information as possible from the applicant.  It is still a common practice for employers in many foreign countries to provide a letter of verification, or reference, to an employee when he/she leaves the company on good terms.  The applicant may be able to provide a copy of such a document, which would be an excellent source of information to then independently confirm employment information.   If the document is not available, or in addition to the document, the applicant should be asked to provide the full name, address, and primary phone number, and website, if available.  Possible contact names and email address would also be beneficial.

In absence of such information, ESS will attempt to locate and contact the company using Internet and phone directory resources.   When possible, ESS simultaneously attempts contact by phone, fax, and email.  There are no additional fees involved to this point; however, if there is no response by any means and ESS cannot overcome a language barrier, we offer language interpretation assistance for average cost of $25 per verification.

Education Verification

Those entering the U.S. on an education or employment visas are often required to have their educational credentials (degrees, licenses, certifications) evaluated by a service certified by the U.S. State Department.   These services do more than translate the foreign credentials.   A certified credential evaluation service verifies and translates the credentials into a document that explains the American equivalencies. Foreign universities may not use the same course requirements and degree requisites that are fairly standard in the U.S.  The applicant may be able to provide copies of the evaluation documents.

To obtain an independent verification, the key to a successful education verification is the same as employment verification – provide as much information as possible.  The full name and address of the university are essential, as are the dates of attendance and graduation.  Also needed is the full name of the degree received.  The primary phone number and website address is also useful, but these are easier for ESS to locate than for a foreign business.  As with employment verification, when possible ESS will simultaneously contact the school by phone, fax, and email at no additional cost.  We offer language interpretation assistance for average cost of $25 per verification.

Even with the most concerted effort, some foreign colleges and universities simply do not disseminate student information to third parties.  However, they will accept a request from the former student to send a copy of the transcript to a third party, such as an employer.  If a specific degree or equivalency is essential to the position, an employer may wish to pursue an independent verification, but also ask the employee to have his/her official transcript directly to the employer.

Reference Checks

Reference checks are typically routine as long as the applicant provides an accurate phone number.  Email addresses are also helpful.  Usually the references speak English and unless an interpreter is needed, there is no additional charge.

Other International Reports

Personal credit reports are available in most countries but can be quite expensive.  Driving records and civil records are less accessible, but please feel free to call ESS for availability and price quote information for a specific country.