Korean Horizons

Hive Digital

Candidate document resource partner

Prepared exclusively for Korean Horizons applicants

Korean Horizons Candidate Resource Centre

Everything you need to prepare your U.S. or Canadian employment documents for teaching in South Korea.

Hive Digital Consulting specializes in FBI background checks, fingerprinting, apostilles and employment documentation, helping applicants prepare their paperwork correctly the first time.

Start with clarity

Korea Document Checklist

Use this as an orientation guide, then follow the current checklist and timing instructions supplied by Korean Horizons.

Documents You'll Prepare

Personal and application materials normally supplied by the candidate.

  • Passport
  • University Degree
  • Resume
  • Passport Photos
  • References
Managed, not merely mailed

Why Korean Horizons Partners With Hive

The goal is a smoother applicant experience: clear instructions, fewer avoidable corrections, and a documented next step.

01

Hive Digital Consulting specializes in cross-border employment documentation for educators, recruiters and international employers.

02

Hive is headquartered in China, with a U.S. office and trusted service partners across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.

03

Our founder's background is in international mobility and building cross-border document workflows. We approach each case as a managed process designed to prevent document mistakes, unnecessary delays and document-related issues during the visa process.

04

We support teachers throughout Asia while working closely with recruiters and schools to simplify international hiring.

Avoid preventable delays

Common Document Mistakes

Most corrections begin with a small mismatch: the wrong authority, a poor scan, an incomplete card, or a document ordered at the wrong time.

Wrong apostille authority

An FBI report is federal and should not be sent to a State Secretary of State for its federal apostille.

Starting too late

Waiting until after a contract is finalized can leave too little time for fingerprinting, government processing and delivery.

Incorrect fingerprint card

The card and submission format should be confirmed before the appointment, especially when fingerprints are taken outside North America.

Low-quality fingerprints

Smudged, incomplete or faint ridge detail can cause rejection and force the applicant to start again.

Missing information

Unsigned forms, incomplete biographic fields and inconsistent names can interrupt processing.

Incorrect degree preparation

The copy, notarization and state apostille route must match the requested format.

Date-window problems

A criminal record check ordered too early may fall outside the program's accepted date window.

Assuming every case is identical

Nationality, program, employer, document origin and filing location can change the required path.

Typical U.S. Processing Times

Document Processing Timeline

  1. 1

    Fingerprinting

    Typical Time

    Same Day

    Professional fingerprinting or police station fingerprinting. Hive accepts high-resolution scans for quality review before originals are mailed.

  2. 2

    FBI Background Check

    Typical Time

    24–48 Hours

    Electronic processing after fingerprint submission.

  3. 3

    U.S. Degree Apostille

    Typical Time

    24 Hours

    For eligible U.S. degrees. State-specific requirements may apply.

  4. 4

    U.S. Department of State Apostille

    Typical Time

    Rush Service

    Approximately 2 Weeks

    Standard Service

    Approximately 4 Weeks

    Federal apostille for FBI reports and other federally issued documents.

  5. 5

    Documents Ready

    Your completed documents are ready for submission to your recruiter, employer or immigration process.

Processing times are estimates and may vary depending on government agencies and document requirements.

Capture it correctly

Fingerprinting Options

The right fingerprinting option depends on where you are located, which record you need, and the submission route selected for your case.

Review regional fingerprinting guidance
  • Professional fingerprinting providers
  • Police station fingerprinting where available
  • FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards
  • Hive quality review before submission
  • High-resolution scans accepted before originals are mailed
Korean Horizons

Hive Digital

Cross-border document specialists

Shared applicant support

About the Partnership

Korean Horizons specializes in helping teachers build successful careers in South Korea.

Hive Digital Consulting specializes in ensuring employment documents are prepared correctly.

Together we help applicants complete one of the most stressful parts of relocating overseas with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Practical answers for Korean Horizons applicants preparing U.S. or Canadian documents for teaching in South Korea.

Korea documentsWhich documents should I begin preparing for Korean Horizons?

Start with the checklist supplied by Korean Horizons. Public-school programs commonly request a passport copy, application materials, references, an apostilled degree copy, and an apostilled national-level criminal record check. Your final list can vary by program, nationality, and circumstances, so treat recruiter instructions as authoritative for your application.

Korea documentsShould I wait for a final contract before starting my paperwork?

Usually not. Background checks, fingerprinting, and apostilles can involve several organizations and mailing steps. Begin when Korean Horizons advises you to do so, while making sure date-sensitive records are not ordered too early.

FBI background checksWhat FBI document is normally used by U.S. applicants?

U.S. applicants are commonly asked for an FBI Identity History Summary because it is a national-level, fingerprint-based record. Confirm the exact document name and acceptable issue date with Korean Horizons before ordering.

FBI background checksCan a state police background check replace an FBI report?

Do not assume that it can. EPIK guidance calls for a national-level criminal record check from the applicant's country of primary citizenship. A state or local check covers a different jurisdiction and should only be used if Korean Horizons or the receiving authority specifically confirms it.

FBI background checksDoes the FBI require current fingerprints?

Yes. The FBI states that a fingerprint card used for a previous Identity History Summary cannot be reused. A current set of fingerprints is required for a new request.

FingerprintingWhich fingerprint card should I use?

Hive commonly supports applicants using an FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. The submission route can affect the preferred card or format, so send Hive your blank card or provider instructions before your appointment if you are unsure.

FingerprintingWhere can I have fingerprints taken?

Options can include professional fingerprinting providers and police stations that offer applicant fingerprinting. Availability, fees, identification requirements, and whether you must supply a card vary by location. Call ahead before visiting.

FingerprintingWhat happens if my fingerprints are low quality?

Poor ridge detail, smudging, incomplete rolls, or prints outside the boxes can cause a rejection. Hive can review a high-resolution scan before submission and may recommend a new set when quality is not sufficient.

FingerprintingShould the fingerprint technician sign or stamp my card?

Requirements depend on the selected processing route and the information requested on the card. Ask the technician to complete the provider fields when they are willing and send Hive a scan afterward. We will flag missing information that matters for your workflow.

FingerprintingWhat scan quality should I send to Hive?

Scan the complete card in color at a minimum of 400 DPI, with all edges, fingerprint boxes, and handwritten fields visible. Avoid shadows, perspective distortion, compression, and messaging-app settings that reduce image quality.

MailingShould I mail my original fingerprint card immediately?

Send Hive the high-resolution scan first. Once the card has been reviewed, Hive will confirm whether the original is needed and provide the correct mailing instructions for the agreed FBI or RCMP processing route.

MailingCan I send more than one fingerprint card?

Yes, and a second completed card can be useful when print quality is uncertain. The FBI advises applicants with repeated fingerprint rejections to have multiple sets taken, preferably by a fingerprinting technician.

Processing timesHow long does an FBI background check take?

Timing depends on the submission method, fingerprint quality, current agency workload, and delivery method. The FBI does not promise expedited handling for direct requests. Hive will confirm the current estimate for the route you select, but government processing times can change.

Processing timesHow long does an apostille take?

Timing depends on the authority, submission method, current workload, and courier route. Federal and state apostilles follow different processes. Request a current estimate after Hive confirms which authority is correct for your document.

Validity periodsHow recent must my criminal record check be?

The EPIK Spring 2026 guide states that the criminal record check must be dated within six months of the contract start date. Recruiter, intake, late-arrival, or immigration instructions may set a more specific date window, so confirm timing with Korean Horizons before ordering.

ApostillesWho issues the apostille for an FBI background check?

An FBI Identity History Summary is a U.S. federal document. The appropriate federal apostille is issued through the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, not by an individual state's Secretary of State.

ApostillesWhy is a state apostille wrong for an FBI report?

State authorities generally authenticate documents issued or notarized within their state. An FBI report is issued by a federal agency. Using the wrong authority can leave the document unacceptable for its intended overseas use.

ApostillesDoes an apostille verify the contents of my background check?

No. An apostille certifies the origin of the public document, such as the signature or seal of the issuing official. It does not change, approve, or interpret the information contained in the background check.

Degree apostillesDo I apostille my original university degree?

EPIK guidance refers to an apostilled copy of the bachelor's diploma. The copy, notarization, and state process must be prepared in the format requested. Do not send or alter an original diploma until the required format has been confirmed.

Degree apostillesWhich state handles a U.S. degree apostille?

The correct state route depends on how the degree copy is certified or notarized and where that act takes place. It is not determined only by where the applicant currently lives. Hive reviews the degree and requested format before recommending a state process.

Degree apostillesDoes a degree apostille expire?

The apostille itself does not normally carry a general expiration date, but the receiving program or authority can impose document-format, issue-date, or submission-window rules. Follow the current Korean Horizons checklist for your intake.

RCMP checksWhat background check is commonly used by Canadian applicants?

Canadian applicants are commonly asked for a national-level RCMP criminal record check. The exact product, fingerprint route, and certification format should be confirmed against the Korean Horizons instructions for your program.

RCMP checksCan fingerprints taken outside Canada be used for an RCMP check?

In many workflows, ink fingerprints taken abroad can be converted and submitted through an accredited Canadian fingerprinting provider. The provider's forms, identification, consent, and card requirements vary, so Hive confirms the route before you collect fingerprints.

Canadian documentsDoes my Canadian document need an apostille or authentication?

Canada now issues apostilles under the Apostille Convention, but the correct competent authority depends on the document and where it was issued. Hive will confirm the route for an RCMP record or degree after reviewing the document and Korean Horizons requirements.

Korean immigrationDoes Hive process my E-2 visa?

No. Hive prepares and coordinates document services such as background checks, fingerprinting guidance, and apostilles. Korean Horizons, the sponsoring employer, Korean immigration, and the relevant consular office manage their respective recruitment and visa steps.

Official references

Requirements and agency processing practices can change. Check current recruiter instructions alongside these primary sources:

Ready to Start Your Documents?

Whether you have already accepted a position or are preparing in advance, our specialists are ready to help you complete your documentation accurately and on time.

Hive prepares documents and coordinates document services. Final acceptance decisions remain with the recruiter, employer and relevant government authorities.

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