IU-specific Procedures
International Background Checks
Not all international applicants will require an international background check. It is important to review the IU Background Check Policy to assess the necessity for requesting an international background check. Requesting an international background check can delay the hiring process and will add substantial cost.
Do You Need an International Background Check?
Click the applicable accordion below to determine if your applicant requires an international background check.
Is the applicant a Foreign National?
Have they been in the US less than 12 months?
- Yes – no background check is necessary
- No – continue to the next question
Was their VISA was issued before or after October 24th, 2001 (Patriot Act)?
- Before – please submit the International Background Check Request Form
- After – please submit a standard background check
Is the applicant a US Citizen?
Have they resided outside the United States for 3 or more years?
- Yes – please submit the International Background Check Request Form
- No – please submit a standard background check
International Background Check Request
FAQs
What is the university’s policy on when it is necessary to conduct a criminal background check on a foreign national?
If the person has been in the United States for over one year, the university’s policy is to conduct a criminal background check covering that period of time using the normal background check process using HireRight. A criminal history check in the individual’s prior countries of residence is to be performed only if the individual’s visa and/or authorization to work in the United States was issued before implementation of the Patriot Act on October 24, 2001. The university will not require that a criminal history check be conducted in the individual’s prior countries of residence if the visa or authorization to work was issued or renewed under the provisions of the Patriot Act
What information does HireRight need to conduct the search? (As a new resident in the United States an international applicant may or may not have a Social Security number and even if they do, it will be new without any credit history associated with it.)
All of the required fields have a red asterisk next to them in the HIRERIGHT system. If they are a new resident they should technically have a SSN. If they do not have a SSN indicate this by selecting the appropriate checkbox.
What are the costs and where can a user find out the cost?
Please contact your campus human resources office for the cost of a search for a particular country.
Are Canadian searches the same price as the U.S.?
Canadian searches are different from the United States in that the entire country must be searched through the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police).
Are there countries for which HireRight recommends not doing a search? Is there such a list or how does a user learn which countries are on that list if it exists?
Your campus human resources office will contact HireRight if there is a question about the country in which you are interested in conducting a background check.
What type of screening does the State Department do on a person entering the country and requesting a work permit? What does it consists of and are the results available to IU as an employer?
They access the FBI's NCIC (National Crime Information Center) to conduct the criminal portion.
Is the process any different if the person: (1) has just arrived, (2) is not yet in the U.S., or (3) has lived in the United States for a period of time?
The process should be identical regardless of whether the person has just arrived, has lived in the U.S., or is not yet in the U.S.
Contact
If you have additional questions, please contact