The information in this document is intended for U.S. citizens applying for the 2017 Japan Exchange and Teaching
Program. Please read and follow these instructions carefully in order to correctly submit your criminal history record.
Who needs to submit a criminal history record?
Only two types of candidates should request a criminal history record:
 Applicants who have a criminal history as indicated in the JET Application:

If you have ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of crime, even those offenses which occurred when you were a juvenile or which
you believe to have been expunged from your record. The governing law for the JET Program is Japanese law, so any state or national
statutes of the United States which allow non-disclosure of a past criminal record do not apply and the offense must be indicated in the
application and a criminal record provided.
Applicants who are requesting consideration for Early Placement
*For these types of candidates who are selected for the interview, criminal history results must be submitted to the
interview location no later than February 10, 2017.
If neither of the above two situations apply to you, do not request a background check until given instructions to do so by a
JET Program coordinator. Requesting a background check earlier may result in it being rejected and the applicant will
need to request a new criminal history check. Individuals who pass the initial screening will be given further instructions
at that time for how to request a criminal history.
Requesting a Criminal History Record
For the first time this year, there are two methods by which an applicant can provide acriminal history record: by
applying directly to the FBI or by using an FBI-approved channeler (a private company authorized by the FBI to provide
background checks using the FBI database). Learn more about each method below:
How to
request a
criminal
record
Fingerprints
Processing
Fee to Apply
Document
Type
Where to
send results
Website
FBI Criminal History
FBI-Approved Channelers
Applicants complete an application form (Form I783 available on the FBI website), have fingerprints
taken, and provide payment. These documents
must be sent together to the FBI.
IMPORTANT: When completing the application
form, the purpose for requesting must be listed as
“Live, work, or travel in a foreign country.”
Applicants can use either a rolled-ink or LiveScan
(electronic) method. Contact police stations or
private companies in your area to see what options
are available. The official fingerprint card can be
downloaded from the FBI website. Fingerprinting
often represents a separate cost from the
application fee indicated below.
12-16 weeks
$18 (plus fingerprinting costs. See above)
The FBI will provide a criminal record in the mail in
a large orange envelope with a clear window
showing the applicant’s name and address.
NOTE: In some cases, applications may be rejected
(poor quality of fingerprints, etc.) If you receive an
envelope from the FBI that does not appear as
indicated above, this is a rejection notice. Please
open it immediately. You will need to make a new
request for a criminal history record.
Applicants should direct results to be sent to
themselves. When you receive the results, DO NOT
OPEN THEM. Send the unopened results to your
interview location. Also, see NOTE above.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-historysummary-checks
The FBI website lists 13 approved channelers, but
not all are able to provide a criminal record for the
purpose of overseas employment.
Additionally, information provided below will vary
by channeler, so you must contact the channeler(s) to
see what options are available near you.
Channelers may have in-house fingerprinting
services or may require you to send a completed
fingerprint card to them. Please contact the
channelers for details. Fingerprinting may represent
a separate cost from the application fee or may be
included in the fee listed by the channeler.
2 days – 3 weeks
~$40-$100
Some channelers only offer a download option or an
option which must be emailed or remotely accessed
online by a third party (such as the JET Office). The
JET Program Office does not accept electronic
documents, so you must provide a hard-copy.
All channelers require that the results be sent back
to the individual requesting them. When you receive
the results, DO NOT OPEN THEM. Send the
unopened results to your interview location.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-historysummary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelersfor-departmental-order-submissions
JET Program USA (Revised September 2016)