Let’s start with international background check basics
What are international background checks?
An international background check is used to screen:
- Candidates living and working outside of the United States
- Candidates in the United States who have previously lived, worked, or attended school in another country
International background checks can include a criminal background check, a global watchlist search, education and employment verification checks, and identity document verification (IDV).
Why an international background check is important
Informed hiring decisions
An international background check for employment helps you make informed decisions for your organization based on reliable results that Checkr accesses from global databases.
Candidate eligibility and fit
A comprehensive global background check helps you confirm your candidates have the right education and work history to perform the job.
Checkr’s global background checks
Checkr’s global screening suite eliminates the hassle of disparate systems. With an offering of 200+ countries, you can manage domestic and international checks in a single AI-powered system built to promote compliance, including data privacy laws.
International Criminal Search
An in-country search leveraging multi-jurisdictional repositories and database sources to return major offense conviction records.
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.
Global Watchlist Record Checks
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.
International Education Verification
Verify a candidate’s national and international education credentials such as degree received, course of study, and dates of attendance.
International Employment Verification
Verify a candidate’s last three employers—domestic or international. Reports include dates of employment, title(s) held, employment gaps, and salary when available.
International Identity Document Validation
A multi-level validation across 3 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.
Featured solutions
Go beyond your typical background screening with Checkr’s advanced products and packages. Our offering powers at-scale hiring with less risk and more flexibility.
Candidate Experience
Checkr’s powerful tools support international background checks and GDPR compliant while candidates have access to live support and report status in our mobile-friendly candidate portal.
API Support
Our API-first platform fits into your current workflow — whether you use a well-known Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or a custom solution — so that you can create a seamless hiring experience that empowers recruiters with transparency and accuracy, no matter what systems you use or where your talent comes from.
What to keep in mind when performing international background checks
Checkr’s platform promotes fair and compliant practices with state of the art tools and technology. We are also your partner in education. When it comes to international screenings, here are the primary laws and best-practices to consider.
GDPR and Data Privacy Laws
Many countries now have data privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) from the EU which can apply to US companies performing international checks.