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Apostille Documents for Teaching Abroad

Teaching programs in Spain, South Korea, France, and Japan require apostilled documents before you can get a visa. We handle the federal and state routing so you hit every deadline.

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The process involves multiple document types, different apostille authorities, and strict deadlines that catch many teachers off guard. Here is everything you need to know.

Programs

Programs That Require Apostilles

Spain

Auxiliares de Conversacion (NALCAP)

Spain requires a federal apostille on your FBI background check. The report must be issued within 90 days of your visa application date. A certified Spanish translation of the apostilled FBI report is also required. Your college diploma may need an apostille depending on the consulate.

  • FBI background check (federal apostille)
  • College diploma apostille (varies by consulate)
  • Certified Spanish translation of FBI report
Apostille type: Federal (FBI) + State (diploma)
Translation: Yes, Spanish

South Korea

EPIK / TALK / Private Academies

South Korea requires both an apostilled diploma (state-level) and an apostilled FBI background check (federal-level). All documents must be submitted to the EPIK office no later than 6 weeks before the contract start date.

  • College diploma with state apostille
  • FBI background check with federal apostille
  • College transcript (some academies)
Apostille type: State (diploma) + Federal (FBI)
Translation: Generally not required

France

TAPIF

Background check requirements for TAPIF vary by consulate. Degree documentation is required. A French translation may be required depending on your assigned consulate. Confirm requirements directly with your consulate early in the process.

  • Degree documentation
  • Background check (requirements vary by consulate)
  • French translation (may be required)
Apostille type: Varies by consulate
Translation: Possible, French

Japan

JET Programme

Document requirements for JET vary by consulate. Degree verification is required. Check with your specific Japanese consulate for the exact apostille and translation requirements applicable to your placement.

  • Degree verification
  • Additional documents as specified by consulate
Apostille type: Varies by consulate
Translation: Varies

The #1 Mistake: Waiting Too Long

Most teachers start the FBI apostille process too late. The federal apostille alone typically takes 6 to 14 business days after the FBI processes your background check, and cannot be expedited. Add in the time to get fingerprinted and receive your FBI results, and you could easily be looking at well over a month from start to finish.

Spain requires the FBI report to be issued within 90 days of your visa application. South Korea requires documents 6 weeks before your contract start date. Missing these deadlines can delay your placement or require starting the entire process over with a fresh background check.

Timeline

Recommended Timeline

1

10+ weeks before departure

Request FBI background check

Get fingerprinted through an FBI-approved channeler. Channelers submit electronically and return results in days, giving you maximum time before your validity window closes.

2

8-10 weeks before

Send FBI check for federal apostille

Submit your FBI Identity History Summary to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications. Processing typically takes 6 to 14 business days and cannot be expedited.

3

6-8 weeks before

Get diploma apostilled at the state level

Send your degree to the Secretary of State in the state where your school is located. State-level apostilles are generally faster than federal processing, but still plan several weeks.

4

4-6 weeks before

Get certified translations completed

Once both documents are apostilled, send them for certified translation if your program requires it. Spain requires a certified Spanish translation of the apostilled FBI report.

5

2-4 weeks before

Final document review and visa application

Review all documents against your program's checklist. Confirm freshness requirements are still met. Submit your visa application with the complete document package.

Documents

Documents You Likely Need

The exact list depends on your program and destination. The table below covers the most commonly required documents and shows which authority handles each apostille.

DocumentApostille AuthorityNotes
FBI Background CheckFederal (U.S. Dept. of State)Required by Spain, South Korea, most teaching visa programs. Must be federally apostilled only.
College DiplomaState (Secretary of State)Required by South Korea (EPIK/TALK), may be required by Spain. Apostille goes through the state where your school is located.
College TranscriptState (Secretary of State)Required by some private academies in South Korea and certain programs. State-level apostille.
Birth CertificateState (Secretary of State)Required by some programs and countries. State-level apostille from the state where you were born.

Always verify requirements with your program coordinator or consulate before submitting. Requirements can change between program cycles.

How We Help

How We Help

We handle both state-level and federal-level apostille routing, so you do not need to manage two separate government processes simultaneously. Service starts at $149 per document (Economy Standard), plus a $19 Government Processing and Handling fee per document.

  • Correct routing: FBI check to federal (U.S. Dept. of State), diploma to your school's state Secretary of State
  • Timing coordination to ensure all documents are ready before your program's submission deadline
  • Certified translation bundling for Spain (Spanish) and other programs requiring translated documents
  • All federal apostille submission paperwork prepared and handled on your behalf
  • Domestic overnight shipping ($49) and international shipping ($87) available

Federal processing for the FBI apostille typically takes 6 to 14 business days and cannot be expedited. Our service tiers reflect our handling and coordination time, not the government's processing time.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Spain's Auxiliares de Conversacion (NALCAP) and South Korea's EPIK and TALK programs explicitly require an apostilled FBI background check. The FBI report must be issued within 90 days of the visa application date for Spain. South Korea requires documents at least 6 weeks before the contract start date. France's TAPIF and Japan's JET Programme have varying requirements depending on the consulate, so check directly with your assigned consulate.
No. FBI background checks are federal documents issued by a federal agency. They must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., not by any state Secretary of State. State offices will reject FBI documents. Your college diploma, by contrast, is a state-level document apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where your school is located.
Federal apostille processing through the U.S. Department of State typically takes 6 to 14 business days and cannot be expedited regardless of service tier. Given EPIK's 6-week document deadline and Spain's 90-day freshness window, starting this process as early as possible is essential.
South Korea's EPIK and TALK programs require an apostilled diploma. Spain may also require it depending on your consulate. The diploma apostille goes through the Secretary of State in the state where your degree-granting institution is located, not the federal government. If your school is in New York, you use the New York Secretary of State. Processing times at the state level are typically faster than the federal process, but still plan at least 2-4 weeks.
Apostille first, then translation. The apostille certifies the document's authenticity. Once apostilled, the certified translator works from the apostilled copy. Some programs require the translation to reference the apostille. Spain requires a certified Spanish translation of the apostilled FBI report. Never translate first and then try to apostille the translation, as that creates a document chain that most authorities will not accept.
Yes, and it is strongly recommended. The FBI background check and diploma apostille processes can take 6-10 weeks total when you factor in getting fingerprinted, waiting for the FBI response, and federal apostille processing. Starting before your acceptance letter arrives means your documents will be ready when your visa application window opens. A background check is a standard document with no program-specific content that would need to change based on your acceptance.
Work backward from your contract start date. EPIK requires documents 6 weeks before the start date, so your apostilled FBI background check needs to be in hand at least 6 weeks out and still within its validity window. Get your FBI check through an FBI-approved channeler (results in days vs. weeks by mail) to maximize the time you have to work within the validity period. We help coordinate timing across multiple documents so you hit all deadlines simultaneously.

Related Resources

FBI Background Check Apostille: Complete Guide

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State vs. Federal Apostille: What Is the Difference?

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Getting a U.S. Document Apostilled from Abroad

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Apostille for Diplomas and Transcripts

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Ready When You Are

Get Your Teaching Documents Apostilled

We coordinate federal and state apostilles plus certified translations so your full document package is ready before your visa deadline.

Trusted Nationwide · All 50 States + DC

We are an independent service provider and not affiliated with any government authority, teaching program, or consulate, including the U.S. Department of State, the FBI, EPIK, NALCAP, TAPIF, or the JET Programme. Document requirements change between program cycles. Always verify current requirements with your program coordinator or consulate before submitting.

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