If you are currently living in Vietnam but previously lived, studied, or worked abroad, you may be asked to provide a police check from that country. These documents are often required for immigration, study abroad, employment, and visa applications. Many applications also require fingerprints to be taken in accordance with international standards to verify the applicant’s identity.
So, when do you need an international police check? Can you have your fingerprints taken for a police check while in Vietnam? This article answers some of the most common questions and explains how the process works when applying for an international police check from Vietnam.
What is an International Police Check?
An international police check is a document issued by a police agency or other authorized government authority in a country. It is used to confirm whether an individual has a criminal record, if any, during the period when they lived, studied, or worked in that country.
Police checks are required for many international applications, particularly for people who have previously lived in another country for a certain period of time, often more than six months depending on the requirements of the receiving authority.
How is it different from a Vietnamese Criminal Record Certificate?
A Vietnamese Criminal Record Certificate (No. 1 or No. 2) is issued by the Department of Justice or the National Criminal Record Center and provides information about an individual’s criminal record in Vietnam.
When applying for a Criminal Record Certificate in Vietnam, the relevant authority conducts a record search using information such as the applicant’s full name, date of birth, identification documents, and other personal information as required.
An international police check, on the other hand, provides information about an individual’s criminal record in a foreign country where they previously lived. The check is issued by the appropriate police or government authority in that country. In some countries, fingerprints are used to verify the applicant’s identity as part of the process.
Canada: An RCMP Criminal Record Check may be required for immigration, employment, licensing, and other official purposes
United States: An FBI Identity History Summary Check may be required for immigration, employment, licensing, and other official purposes.
Other countries and jurisdictions, including Australia, the United Kingdom, EU countries, Hong Kong, and others, may also require fingerprint-based criminal record checks.
When do you need an International Police Check?
You may be asked to provide a Foreign Police Certificate if you have previously lived in another country for a certain period of time and the organization or authority reviewing your application requires information about your criminal history from that country.
Common purposes include:
- Citizenship
- Canadian Permanent Residence (PR)
- Work Permit
- Express Entry
- Visa
- Employment
- Professional Licensing
- Adoption
- Volunteer Work
Why are fingerprints required?
Fingerprinting is a required step for certain types of police checks, particularly RCMP Criminal Record Checks in Canada and FBI Identity History Summary Checks in the United States.
Fingerprints provide a more reliable way to confirm a person’s identity than a search based on name and personal information alone.
| Name-Based Check | Fingerprint-Based Check | |
| Identity verification | May produce possible matches with people who have the same or similar name | Confirms the identity of the individual |
| Accuracy of results | Lower | Higher |
| Use | Not accepted for all applications | Used for many international applications |
For this reason, authorities such as the RCMP and FBI require fingerprints for certain types of criminal record checks.
Depending on the requirements of the issuing authority, you may need to provide either ink fingerprints or digital fingerprints.
Can you apply for an International Police Check while in Vietnam?
Yes. You can complete an international police check application while living in Vietnam.
Through a trusted service provider such as Frontier One Vietnam, you can have your fingerprints taken, prepare the required documents, and receive assistance with submitting your application to the appropriate authority in the country where the police check is requested.
Frontier One Vietnam supports clients with Canadian and U.S. police check applications and fingerprinting services in Vietnam.
Frontier One Vietnam is the Vietnam affiliate of Frontier One Inc. Canada. Frontier One Inc. is authorized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to capture and submit electronic fingerprints for Canadian Criminal Record Checks.
With an office in Ho Chi Minh City, Frontier One Vietnam provides end-to-end support for clients in Vietnam, helping them complete the process without having to travel back to Canada or the United States.
What services does Frontier One Vietnam provide?
Frontier One Vietnam assists clients with fingerprinting and international police check applications for immigration, visa applications, study abroad, employment, citizenship, and a variety of other international purposes.
Fingerprinting Service
We provide fingerprinting services that meet international requirements for police checks, immigration, employment, visa applications, and other legal purposes in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, and many other countries and jurisdictions.
Depending on the requirements of the relevant authority, fingerprints may be taken using ink or digital methods.
Canadian Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
We provide end-to-end assistance with Canadian Criminal Record Checks, from fingerprinting and document review in Vietnam to application preparation and coordination with Frontier One Inc. in Canada for electronic submission to the RCMP.
FBI Identity History Summary Check
We provide end-to-end assistance with FBI Identity History Summary Check applications for immigration, study abroad, employment, citizenship, and other international purposes.
Apostille & Authoriezation
We assist with document certification, apostille, and legalization for use abroad in accordance with applicable requirements under the Hague Apostille Convention.
This service may apply to various documents issued by competent authorities in Canada or the United States.
Common mistakes when applying for an International Police Check
When preparing an international police check application, several common mistakes can delay processing or result in the application being rejected.
Using the wrong fingerprint form or providing incorrect information: Fingerprint form requirements vary from country to country. Using the wrong form or providing incomplete or incorrect information may result in the application not being accepted.
Fingerprints that do not meet the required standards: Fingerprints that are unclear, smudged, incomplete, or missing required information may need to be taken again, which can delay the application process.
Preparing or submitting the application incorrectly: Applications may be delayed if they are sent to the wrong processing authority, contain incorrect or incomplete personal information, or are missing required supporting documents. Reviewing the application carefully before submission can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Waiting until too close to the deadline: International police checks can take time to process, depending on the issuing authority and delivery method. Starting too close to your deadline may mean that your results do not arrive in time for your immigration, employment, or visa application.
The Process at Frontier One Vietnam
Frontier One Vietnam provides professional fingerprinting and end-to-end assistance with international police check applications, helping make the process as convenient and straightforward as possible.
We review your request and help determine the appropriate type of police check, such as an RCMP Criminal Record Check or FBI Identity History Summary Check, based on the purpose of your application.
Step 2: Document Review
Our team reviews your identification and supporting documents to make sure the required information is complete and accurate before your application is prepared for submission
Step 3: Fingerprinting
Your fingerprints are taken professionally and in accordance with the applicable requirements of the RCMP, FBI, or other relevant authority.
Step 4: Application Preparation
We help prepare the required forms and supporting documents for your international police check application.
Step 5: Submission for RCMP/FBI Processing
If you choose Frontier One Vietnam’s end-to-end service, your application will be forwarded to the appropriate authority or processing channel in Canada, the United States, or another relevant jurisdiction, depending on your case.
Step 6: Receive Your Results
Your results can be returned to Vietnam and received at our office or delivered by courier, depending on the service and issuing authority.
If you're not sure which documents you need or how the process works, Frontier One Vietnam is here to guide you through every step of your application.
📩 Contact us for a free consultation about your situation.
📍 Address: 129 Dien Bien Phu Street, Gia Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
📞 Hotline: +84 94 96 98 068
Zalo: Frontier One Vietnam
📧 Email: office@f1fingerprint.vn
🌐 Website: www.f1fingerprint.vn
About Frontier One Vietnam
Frontier One Vietnam is the Vietnam Affiliate of Frontier One Inc. (Canada), assisting clients in Vietnam with fingerprinting, document preparation, and coordination with Frontier One Inc. for Canadian Criminal Record Checks (RCMP), FBI Identity History Summary Checks, and police certificates from other countries.
Frontier One Inc. is authorized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to collect and electronically submit fingerprints for Canadian Criminal Record Checks, and operates offices across Canada. With years of experience in this field, Frontier One has become a trusted partner for tens of thousands of clients worldwide.
Whether you're applying for immigration, a visa, citizenship, study abroad, employment, or professional licensing, Frontier One Vietnam is ready to help you prepare your application accurately and with confidence.