If you are an expat living in Vietnam and need a police check from Canada or the U.S., you may be wondering: “Do I have to return home to get it? Can you complete the process from Vietnam?”
In many cases, you can. Depending on the country and the type of criminal record check required, expats can often have their fingerprints taken in Vietnam, prepare the required forms and documents, and submit the application to the relevant authority overseas.
This is particularly relevant for people who need an RCMP Check or an FBI Identity History Summary Check for immigration, permanent residence, employment, citizenship, visa applications, or other official purposes. This guide explains how a police check for expats in Vietnam generally works, what you may need to prepare, and how Canadian and U.S. criminal record checks can be completed while living in Vietnam.
When do expats in Vietnam need a Canadian or U.S. police check?
Not every expat living in Vietnam needs a home-country police check. The requirement usually depends on the purpose of your application and the requirements of the authority or organization requesting your documents.
A home-country police check may be required when you are applying for:
- Immigration or permanent residence
- A visa or residence status
- Citizenship
- A work permit or employment
- Professional licensing
- Study or educational programs
- Family sponsorship or reunification
- Other legal or official procedures
The important point is that the required police check is not always based simply on your current nationality.
For example, if you are a Canadian citizen living in Vietnam, you may need an RCMP Criminal Record Check. Similarly, a U.S. citizen or have previously lived in the United States, you may be asked to provide an FBI Identity History Summary Check.
In some situations, you may also need police checks from more than one country if you previously lived in several countries for a significant period of time.
Different countries use different names for these documents, including: Police Clearance Certificate; Criminal Record Check; Criminal Background Check; Police Certificate; or Certificate of Good Conduct (Letter of Good Conduct)
How can Canadian expats in Vietnam get an RCMP Check?
If you previously lived in Canada and now live in Vietnam, you may need a Canadian criminal record check for your immigration, employment, citizenship, or other international application.
One commonly requested option is a fingerprint-based RCMP Criminal Record Check. The good news is that living outside Canada does not necessarily mean you need to return to Canada to provide your fingerprints. For fingerprint-based applications, fingerprints can be taken in Vietnam.
RCMP (the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) allows you to take fingerprints and send documents to Canada. But it’s needed to follow their process. The process you can refer to:
1. Have your fingerprints taken in Vietnam
For an RCMP Check, your fingerprints need to be taken using the appropriate form and according to the applicable requirements. You need to use C-216C fingerprint cards as RCMP requires. Expats can have this step completed in Vietnam instead of returning to Canada. The quality of the fingerprints is important because they are used to match your identity against the relevant records.
2. Prepare the required information and forms
Your personal information must be entered accurately and consistently throughout the application. This can include details such as your full name, date of birth, place of birth and other identifying information required by the application.
If your name has been written differently on different documents, it is especially important to check the information carefully before submission.
3. Submit the application to Canada
Once the fingerprints and documents have been prepared, the application can be submitted through the appropriate process for an RCMP criminal record check. It’s important to note that you must send documents to a company that is accredited by the RCMP in Canada. They will digitalize fingerprints and apply to the RCMP for checking with criminal record databases.
5. Receive your RCMP result
The completed criminal record check is issued through the RCMP within 2 – 3 weeks after they receive full documents.
- For a complete step-by-step explanation, see our guide on How to Get an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Vietnam.
How can U.S. expats in Vietnam get an FBI Check?
If you have previously lived, studied or worked in the United States, you may be required to provide an FBI Identity History Summary Check, commonly referred to as an FBI Check or FBI Background Check. This also uses fingerprints to search the FBI’s records.
For expats living in Vietnam, this means the fingerprinting step can often be completed locally. The general process looks like this:
Step 1: Check the requirements
Step 2: Get fingerprints taken in Vietnam
Step 3: Complete the required fingerprint cards & other documents needed
Step 4: Submit the application online & mail to the FBI in the U.S
Step 5: Receive your FBI result (PDF file).
Which Fingerprint Card is used to apply for an FBI Check?
Common fingerprint cards used for FBI-related applications include FD-258 and FD-1164, depending on the submission method and specific requirements.
But the FD-258 is used widely for those who apply outside the U.S. It is important to confirm which form you need before having your fingerprints taken.
Do you have to return to the U.S.?
Not necessarily. For applicants who are already living overseas, the ability to complete fingerprinting locally can make the FBI Check process considerably more convenient.
Instead of traveling back to the United States solely for fingerprinting, you can arrange for the fingerprints to be taken in Vietnam and then follow the appropriate submission process for your FBI Identity History Summary Check.
Unlike the RCMP Check, you can submit an application directly to the FBI without a third party. But there are some unexpected situations: incomplete information, missing documents, or unacceptable fingerprints may delay the application or require resubmission.
However, the exact requirements can vary depending on how the application is submitted and what the final document will be used for.
Depending on how you intend to use the document, you may then need additional services such as certified translation, notarization, apostille, authentication or legalization. Always check the requirements of the organization receiving your document before deciding which additional steps are necessary.
Should you apply for a police check yourself or use a service?
There is no single answer that works for everyone. If your application is straightforward and you are comfortable communicating with overseas authorities, completing forms and arranging international document submission, you may prefer to handle the process yourself.
However, applying from Vietnam can be more complicated than applying from within your home country. You may need to figure out which police check is required, where to have your fingerprints taken, which form to use, how to submit the application, how to make the required payment, and what to do if your fingerprints are rejected or the application is returned.
For this reason, some expats prefer to use a full package police check service in Vietnam that can assist with fingerprinting and document preparation.
A full-service provider may help with:
- Identifying the appropriate police check
- Fingerprinting in Vietnam
- Completing the required forms
- Preparing the application
- Supporting the submission process
- Following up on the result
- Advising on additional document requirements
The key is to understand exactly what the service includes before choosing a provider. If your case has a specific deadline or strict document requirements, professional support may also help reduce the risk of having to repeat part of the process because of an incorrect form or poor-quality fingerprints.
Frontier One Vietnam support Police Check for expats
Frontier One Vietnam understand that many expats living in Vietnam need to obtain a police check from their home country, particularly a Canadian or U.S. criminal record check.
Frontier One Vietnam is the Vietnam Affiliate of Frontier One Canada and is RCMP-recognized. With multiple offices across Canada, Frontier One now has an office in Vietnam to provide convenient police check services for expats in Vietnam.
Services Frontier One Vietnam
- International-standard fingerprinting for Canadian, U.S., and other international criminal record checks
- Full-service support for RCMP Criminal Record Checks
- Full-service support for FBI Identity History Summary Check
- Apostille & Authentication
Our professional team can assist you in English throughout the process, with flexible appointment times to fit your schedule. You can complete your fingerprinting and prepare your police check application conveniently in Vietnam, without having to travel back to Canada or the United States.
FAQ: Police check for expats in Vietnam
Can expats get a police check from their home country while living in Vietnam?
In many cases, yes. Depending on the country and type of police check, you may be able to complete the fingerprinting and application process from Vietnam at Frontier One Vietnam without returning to your home country.
Can I get fingerprints taken in Vietnam for an FBI Check?
Yes. Expats in Vietnam can have their fingerprints taken at Frontier One Vietnam and use the appropriate fingerprint form to apply for an FBI Identity History Summary Check.
Can I get fingerprints taken in Vietnam for an RCMP Check?
Yes. Frontier One Vietnam can help to collect fingerprints for an RCMP Check in Vietnam and submit them according to the applicable requirements. We are experienced in handling RCMP applications, ensuring your application is completed correctly from the start.
Does a Vietnamese criminal record certificate replace a home-country police check?
Not necessarily. If your application specifically asks for a criminal record check from the U.S., Canada or another country where you previously lived, a Vietnamese criminal record certificate may not satisfy that requirement.
Always follow the instructions from the authority or organization receiving your application.
I have lived in both Canada and the U.S. Do I need both an RCMP Check and an FBI Check?
It depends on the requirements of your specific application and your previous residence history.
If the authority requires criminal record checks from both countries, you may need to obtain both an RCMP Check and an FBI Identity History Summary Check.
How long does a police check take when applying from Vietnam?
Processing times vary depending on the country, type of check, submission method and whether the application is complete.
Additional time may also be required for fingerprinting, international document handling, translation, apostille or legalization.
For this reason, it is best to start the process early if your police check is required for an application with a fixed deadline.
Can I apply for a police check without leaving Vietnam?
In many cases, yes. This is one of the main advantages for expats living in Vietnam.
For fingerprint-based checks such as an RCMP Check or FBI Check, you may be able to complete the fingerprinting step in Vietnam and submit the application without traveling back to Canada or the United States.
However, the exact process depends on the requirements of the relevant authority.
Whether you need an RCMP Check, FBI Check or another type of home-country police check, the first step is to identify the exact document required for your application. From there, you can determine the correct fingerprint form, submission method, and any additional document requirements.
If you are looking for a police check service for expats in Vietnam, Frontier One Vietnam can support you with fingerprinting and the preparation of RCMP and FBI check applications from Vietnam.
Contact Frontier One Vietnam to discuss your requirements and find the appropriate police check for your application.
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.