Do I need to submit a criminal background check for my South Korean WHV?

Redaccion Volare | March 1, 2026

To obtain the Working Holiday visa (H-1), applicants must demonstrate impeccable personal conduct. However, the operational protocols of the KVAC centers and consular sections apply differentiated international validation rules according to the treaties in force in each country.

Below are the official rules detailed by region:

1. The exceptional case of the United Kingdom

It is mandatory to submit the original ACRO Police Certificate, issued within the last 6 months prior to the application. According to the official operational guidelines, the UK ACRO certificate does not require an Apostille.

Note: Citizens with dual nationality must submit certificates from both countries.

2. The United States Federal mandate

An FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary) issued within the last 6 months is strictly required. This document requires a Federal Apostille issued directly by the US Department of State in Washington D.C.

(Attention: Police certificates at the state or local level, or with state apostilles, will be automatically rejected).

3. The Canadian standard (RCMP)

It is mandatory to submit a national-level criminal background check issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) based on fingerprints. Since Canada joined the Hague Convention in 2024, the document must obligatorily have the corresponding official Apostille.

4. The diplomatic exception of Taiwan

Because Taiwan is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, the criminal background check cannot be apostilled. It must undergo a formal Consular Authentication and Legalization process at the [enlace sospechoso eliminado], accompanied by its translation.

5. European KVAC Axis (Germany, France, Netherlands)

Yes. You must submit an original national-level Criminal Background Check, obligatorily issued within the last 6 months prior to the appointment at the KVAC, and duly legalized with the Hague Apostille.

Note: If the applicant has dual nationality or has resided outside their country for more than a year, they must provide certificates from both countries.

6. General Rule (Latin America, Rest of Europe, Oceania, Japan, Israel)

It is mandatory to submit the original criminal background check (at the national level) legalized with the Hague Apostille. It must include an official translation into English or Korean (if the original is not in those languages) and be submitted within the validity period required by the local consulate (usually no older than 3 or 6 months from its issuance).