Do I need a criminal background check from every country where I have lived for the EB-1?

Generally, yes. The EB-1 goes through a security and background review, and it is common to be required to present a criminal background check from the countries where you lived for a significant period, not only from your home country.

The rationale is to allow a complete assessment of your history. If you have lived in multiple countries throughout your life, you may need to obtain the document from each of them. What constitutes a relevant period and other details are governed by official rules, which may change.

• Identify the countries where you resided for a considerable amount of time.
• Obtain the background check following each country’s specific procedure.
• Have documents in other languages translated into English by a certified translator.

Since processing times for issuing these documents vary by country, start gathering them early and confirm the updated requirements with USCIS or a qualified specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.