International background checks
Run background checks in 200+ countries through a single platform. Checkr makes it easy for you to quickly scale your hiring around the world and minimizes the complexity of constantly-evolving local regulations related to background checks.
The importance of international background checks
Whether you’re expanding globally or seeking candidates with international experience, including international background checks benefits your organization.
Maintain compliance
It’s important to be consistent with your company’s screening policy and conduct screenings on all new hires.
Mitigate risk
Protect your company, customers and employees by hiring trustworthy, qualified candidates.
Make informed decisions
Understand your candidate’s complete background, no matter where they’ve lived, before you hire.
What you'll learn from international background checks
Get a complete picture of your candidate’s background, no matter where they’ve lived, studied, or worked.
Check employment history
Verify each previous international employer listed to confirm dates of employment and titles or positions.
Verify education credentials
Confirm attendance dates as well as degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned in the US or one of 200+ countries.
Understand criminal history
Review criminal records returned for the country selected as well as possible inclusion on a global watchlist.
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Checkr's global background checks
Checkr’s global screening suite eliminates the hassle of disparate systems. With an offering that includes global background checks in 200+ countries, you can manage domestic and international checks in a single platform built to promote compliance, including data privacy laws.
International criminal search
An in-country search leveraging multi-jurisdictional repositories, database and agency sources to return major offense conviction records. Available in 200+ countries in which criminal screenings are allowed.
Global watchlist records
Determine whether a candidate is listed on a domestic or international watchlist for criminal activity or sanctions, including the FBI and Interpol’s most wanted lists, OFAC and Department of State sanction lists, and more.
Adverse media search
In nations where third-party access to criminal record information is restricted, adverse media checks can be performed which access public sanctions lists, media sources, and other public and private record repositories.
International education verification
Verify a candidate’s national and international education credentials of any educational level such as high school, college and post-grad. May be used to confirm degree received, course of study, and dates of attendance.
International employment verification
Verify a candidate’s last three employers —domestic or international. Reports may include employer name, dates of employment, position or title held, employment gaps, comments, and salary when available.
International identity document verification
A multi-level validation across three document types—passport, driver’s license, national ID—to help evaluate whether the identity document presented is authentic and not stolen, lost, expired or invalid.
UK right to work
Verify a candidate's right to work in the United Kingdom as a British or Irish citizen or foreign national. Approved by the Home Office, digital verification is available using a verified identity services provider or sharecode.
Canada MVR
Identify whether a candidate is legally eligible to drive in Canada. Report includes information on a physical driver’s license and assesses its validity, class(es), and any current suspensions.
Canada MVR with history
Understand what a driver’s history looks like in Canada. Expands on International MVR results to include driver history information, like convictions, violations, or conditions.
Global coverage, local expertise
Local laws, restrictions, and cultural considerations related to background checks can add complexity to the hiring process. Learn about the different types of screenings Checkr provides for people in different countries.
Checkr offers international background checks in more than 200 countries and territories. Learn about background checks in:
Looking for international background checks?
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- Can you run a background check on someone in another country?
- How to do an international background check
- How long do international background checks take?
- How much do international background checks cost?
- How does Checkr's API integration work?
- What countries can employers run global background checks in?
- Compliance laws for international screening
- Hire international candidates faster with Checkr
frequently asked questions
Learn more about international background checks
An international background check enables employers to screen job candidates who have lived, worked, or attended school outside the United States. Read on to learn more about the screening process for an international background check, how to provide information on what the check is, how long the process takes, and more.
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Can you run a background check on someone in another country?
Yes, employers can run a background check on someone in another country, which is called an international background check or global background check. When a candidate has previously lived, worked, or attended school outside of the United States, conducting an international background check for employment enables you to review their qualifications and make informed hiring decisions.
Depending on your needs as an employer, an international background check may include the following screenings:
- Criminal history to search the appropriate databases for any criminal offenses in the country selected. This search reveals any major offense conviction records.
- Global watchlist search to determine whether a candidate is listed on a domestic or international watchlist for criminal activity or sanctions. The search checks numerous international, government, and regulatory databases, including the FBI and Interpol’s most wanted lists, OFAC and Department of State sanctions lists, and more.
- Education verification confirms a candidate’s domestic and international academic credentials, including dates of attendance, degrees received, and courses of study.
- Employment verification confirms dates of employment and titles held for a candidate’s last three domestic or international employers. In some cases, an employment verification may also detail additional information, such as job duties, reasons for leaving, and salary information.
- Identity document verification validates a candidate’s passport, driver’s license, or national ID to confirm the document is authentic. This search helps reveal if the document is stolen, lost, expired, or invalid.
- Adverse media check accesses public sanction lists, media sources, and other public or private repositories to find any negative media associated with the candidate. You may choose to include this check when third-party access to criminal record information is restricted.
How to do an international background check
The process for conducting an international background check is similar to a domestic background check, but there may be additional steps, supplementary documents, or additional time. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Determine which checks are needed. Depending on your company screening policy and the position, you may consider different checks, such as criminal records, education verification, employment history, and more.
- Learn more about background check laws and requirements in each country. This can be a difficult part in the global screening process, as each country has different laws regarding which information is available for release, as well as the type of documents required for submission by the candidate. For example, France only allows employers to order background checks relevant to the job position. In the United Kingdom, a UK right to work check is a requirement for employers to verify a candidate's employment eligibility. Employers may choose to partner with a background check services provider to determine what information can be obtained and help maintain compliance.
- Obtain authorization. Prior to running a background check, you must obtain consent from the candidate. This is true for candidates both inside and outside the US. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences. Additionally, should a candidate currently reside in the US, federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) disclosure and authorization requirements apply.
- Order your selected screenings. With authorization obtained, you can now order background checks from a qualified background check services provider, like Checkr.
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How long do international background checks take?
The time it takes to complete an international background check depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of screening, scope of the search, and how long it takes to obtain authorization from candidates. Time spent researching the laws and requirements for background checks in your candidate’s country can also cause delays.
Partnering with a background check provider, like Checkr, can expedite the process. In fact, 97% of customers say Checkr’s turnaround time is faster than their previous provider. Our platform enables you to start running international background screenings sooner with a candidate portal that makes it easy to obtain the necessary information and authorizations from your candidates.
Checkr’s clients often see a reduction in international background screening turnaround times. Take Agero’s experience, for example. A white-label provider of digital driver assistance services, Agero hires domestically and internationally and uses background checks to inform hiring decisions. Before partnering with Checkr, the Agero team needed to access multiple platforms to conduct checks and struggled to review and adjudicate reports promptly. After integrating Checkr’s background check products with their existing API, Agero saw their turnaround time decrease by 30%. Additionally, our candidate portal improved the overall experience, reducing the number of questions Agero needed to field by giving candidates confidence that their personal information was secure.
How much do international background checks cost?
The cost of international background checks varies depending on the searches included and which screening provider you use. The international background check cost with Checkr starts at $32, with the total cost depending on the country you’re searching and which screening packages you select. Background screenings that include a single check, such as criminal records, typically cost less than those with multiple searches or verifications.
How does Checkr’s API integration work?
Checkr’s API integration works by incorporating background checks directly into your existing tech platform, which can be configured when initially building your product or later to improve product satisfaction and adoption. We pioneered the first background check API to make it easy to order screenings and view results. After setup, a candidate’s email address is all that’s needed to kick off the background screening workflow.
You can also use a background check API integration with your existing applicant tracking systems (ATS) or human resources information system (HRIS). We partner with many industry-leading HR systems to offer pre-built integrations to eliminate redundancies across platforms for recruiters and candidates.
In addition to benefiting employers, Checkr’s API integration provides advantages for candidates, too. Using the Checkr API, staffing firm Veryable was able to continue to use their existing platform to provide a branded, friction-free experience for candidates–and reduce application processing to just days.
Pre-built integrations with over 100 ATS and HRIS systems
What countries can employers run global background checks in?
Employers can choose to run global backgrounds where candidates may have previously lived, worked, or attended school. With Checkr, you can conduct global background checks in more than 200 countries. We offer international background check services for the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, Mexico, and more.
Compliance laws for international screening
If you order an international background screening, you must comply with the laws specific to the country where the individual is being screened.
In the US, employers must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when partnering with a consumer reporting agency to conduct a domestic or international background check for employment. The FCRA regulates who can have access to information about a candidate’s credit report and other personal information, how the information is collected, what information appears on a background check, and how background checks are used. It also establishes requirements for notifying candidates about your intent to run a background check, obtaining written authorization before performing a check, and following the adverse action process if background check results lead to a decision against hiring, retaining, or promoting a candidate.
When screening international candidates, employers must adhere to any applicable international data protection laws. For example, if applicable, when conduct background checks on candidates in Europe, employers and consumer reporting agencies must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which ensures personal data is kept secure. Anyone residing in Europe, receives the protections outlined in the GDPR, regardless of their citizenship.
Ensuring your international background check process adheres to applicable regulations can help mitigate the risks of noncompliance. Using a qualified, professional screening provider, like Checkr, helps make compliance easier.
Hire international candidates faster with Checkr
While international background checks can provide valuable information about candidates, the process can be complex. A qualified background screening provider, like Checkr, can simplify and expedite the process. Our platform offers screenings in 200 countries, with seamless integrations with your ATS and HRIS toolset, allowing you to easily scale your hiring and screen candidates around the world.
Checkr helps promote fair and compliant practices, no matter where you’re hiring. With multiple screening options, a user-friendly dashboard, and seamless integration with ATS and HRIS platforms, Checkr helps employers implement a more efficient global background check experience for hiring managers and candidates alike. Get started.
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Disclaimer
The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.
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