Most Common Apostille Requirements for Working Abroad
The specific documents required depend on the country and role. These are the most frequently required for work-related apostilles:
- FBI background check — required by most countries for work visas and teaching positions. Federal apostille only.
- Diploma / degree verification — notarized school official letter + apostille. Required for professional roles and teaching programs.
- Birth certificate — required for many work visa and residency applications.
- Marriage certificate — if applying as a family unit for a work visa.
Teaching Abroad — Apostille Requirements by Country
| Country / Program | Documents Required | Apostille Type |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea (EPIK, public school) | FBI background check + degree | Federal (FBI); state (degree letter) |
| Japan (JET Programme) | FBI background check | Federal apostille |
| China (various employers) | Degree + FBI background check | Federal + state |
| Spain (language assistant) | FBI background check + birth cert | Federal + state |
| UAE (teaching) | Degree + background check + marriage (if applicable) | Federal + state; then UAE attestation |
If you're working in a country not on the Hague Convention (some Middle Eastern countries, parts of Africa and Asia), the apostille process is replaced by chain authentication: state SOS → U.S. Department of State → destination country's embassy in Washington. This adds several weeks and additional fees. See our apostille vs. authentication guide.
Start Your FBI Apostille First
The FBI background check + U.S. DOS apostille is consistently the longest step — up to 3 months from start to finish. For any work abroad timeline, order your FBI background check immediately after deciding to apply. Use the FBI background check guide for the exact process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most foreign employers and government agencies require the original apostilled document — not a photocopy or scan. A few digital-friendly countries accept certified digital copies, but assume original is required unless specifically told otherwise.
Online TEFL certificates are private institution documents — not government-issued. They can only be apostilled via the notarized certification letter method (similar to diplomas). Many teaching programs abroad do not accept apostilled TEFL certificates from online providers regardless; check your specific program's requirements.
Most countries require background checks issued within 3–6 months of your work visa application. Since the apostille simply authenticates the check, the age of the underlying background check determines validity — not the apostille date. Plan to order a new background check and apostille within 6 months of your application submission.
It depends on the country and visa type. Some countries accept apostilled documents from your original application for renewal; others require fresh documentation. Consult the specific work visa renewal requirements for your destination country.