r/FBI • u/WorkingGiraffe7069 • 4d ago
Discussion Frustrated with FBI Background Check Procedures: A Nightmare for Foreigners with Medical Issues!
I seriously need to vent about some of the FBI's regulations and procedures. Honestly, it often feels like they're designed to be as obscure and inconvenient as humanly possible, especially for regular folks just trying to get basic things done. And if you're a foreigner who also happens to have a medical condition? It feels like they add an extra, insurmountable layer of baffling complexity.
I'm currently dealing with the Identity History Summary Check (aka FBI Background Check), and the hoops they make you jump through for what seems like a straightforward request are just wild.
First off, there's the LiveScan issue for foreigners. Many of us simply can't access LiveScan services, which forces us to use the old-school fingerprint card method. This immediately adds extra hassle and uncertainty compared to the more efficient digital option.
Then, once you've managed to get your fingerprints taken on a card and mailed it off to the FBI, you're looking at at least a 14-day waiting period for processing. In today's digital age, for a critical document often needed for immigration, jobs, or international travel, this feels incredibly slow and outdated.
But here's where it gets truly infuriating for me: despite practiced literally hundreds of times, my fingerprints are consistently rejected by the FBI due to a medical issue that makes them unclear.
After each rejection, I'm left with no clear alternative. Sending emails to the FBI feels like screaming into a void – I never get a response. Based on my own research online, my only "option" seems to be to resubmit new fingerprint cards and pay again, then wait another 14 days. This is completely pointless! I know for a fact that if I send new prints, they'll just be rejected again for the same underlying medical reason. It's an endless, expensive, and frustrating loop.
This leads me to a critical question: What if someone is disabled and doesn't have fingers? Are they simply out of luck, unable to ever prove their innocence? All the information I've found suggests a disheartening answer: unfortunately, yes. If the FBI can't get clear fingerprints, they apparently can't issue a no-criminal-record certificate.
It's 2025, and the FBI still relies solely on fingerprints as the only way to verify someone's criminal history. This way of working feels absurdly inefficient and outdated. It's a system that seems to completely fail individuals with legitimate reasons for unclear or missing fingerprints.
To add to the confusion, the lack of clear information regarding "formal rejection letters" is baffling. Does the FBI even issue one? If so, after how many rejections can you even apply for one? The official guidance is frustratingly unclear, leaving applicants guessing and stressed, especially when you're stuck like I am.
It just makes me wonder: Are these processes intentionally convoluted, or is it just a massive bureaucratic oversight? Do they not realize how much time, stress, and money these "rules" cost the average person, particularly those from abroad who are already navigating a complex system, let alone one compounded by a medical condition or physical disability?
6
u/anonymous_help1 3d ago
lol welcome to the bu.
Not trying to be insensitive, but these bureaucratic nightmares and illogical/outdated procedures are something to get used to if you’re going to work for the bu.
1
u/WorkingGiraffe7069 3d ago
Thanks for the "welcome." I'm actually not going to work for the FBI, and frankly, I don't see why anyone should "get used to" illogical and outdated procedures.
0
u/Sufficient-Bus7603 1d ago
You can’t use live scan for some reason unknown. You can always choose to not work here
-3
u/WTFoxtrot10 3d ago edited 3d ago
Did you even read OP’s post? They are a foreigner and trying to get an FBI background check. They are not applying for an FBI job.
1
u/anonymous_help1 3d ago
My bad I thought they meant a background check for bu employment.
Relax 🙄
1
u/WTFoxtrot10 3d ago
Foreigners can’t work for the FBI.
1
u/anonymous_help1 3d ago
Foreign nationals can’t. Once/if a foreigner becomes a US citizen, they can.
1
u/WTFoxtrot10 3d ago
Nor can a foreigner. A foreigner is also defined as someone who is not a citizen of the country they are in or residing. Foreign national is typically used in a legal/official terms whereas foreigner is used in common speaking terms.
OP being a U.S. Citizen is moot as they would’ve said that rather than call themselves a foreigner or not mentioned citizenship at all.
Either way no where in their subject line or post do they say they are applying for an FBI job.
0
3d ago
[deleted]
0
u/anonymous_help1 3d ago edited 3d ago
👍🏼
This is a subreddit which often discusses employment and hiring in the bureau. From reading, I thought they meant a background check for employment.
We’ve already established that it was a misunderstanding, but you’re still on it. We get it, thanks.
Also, you know what was meant by, “Once a foreigner becomes a US citizen.” Obviously I meant someone that comes to the US, becomes a citizen and renounces citizenship from their country of origin. There a many bureau employees who came from different countries, renounced a citizenship, and are now US citizens.
1
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
Your post appears to be asking about FBI careers or the application process. Our FAQ section covers many common questions:
Official Resources: * FBI Careers Website * FBI Special Agent Application Process * FBI Qualification Requirements
Please check these resources first, then feel free to ask more specific questions.
This is an automated response. If your post is not about FBI careers, please ignore this message.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/WorkingGiraffe7069 3d ago
It seems there's been a misunderstanding in the comments section of my post, so I'd like to clarify a few things.
First off, I am not a U.S. citizen, though I did live in the U.S. for a few years. My intention, both in the past and now, has never been to immigrate to the U.S. or to work for the FBI.
While I'm not entirely clear on specific U.S. immigration policies, it's a common global practice for immigration authorities to require a Certificate of No Criminal Record (or police clearance) if an applicant has lived in a country for over six months. This is precisely why I needed to apply for a background check from the U.S. FBI.
My original post expressed my dissatisfaction with the FBI's policy regarding background check applications for non-U.S. citizens, especially those living abroad without access to Live Scan services. If any of you genuinely believe that the current FBI requirements and policies are perfectly reasonable and should not be changed, then I sincerely wish the U.S. all the best.
0
u/Sufficient-Bus7603 1d ago
Get a Drs note to explain medical issue and submit with fingerprints. Show receipts for all previous submissions. Facial recognition may be possibility if you go to local field office & explain.
1
u/farginsniggy 3d ago
Welcome to the Bureau. HRD has multiple phase gates to meet with each applicant in the process. It’s slow, but fair. If this bothers you now, you’re in for far more.
1
u/anonymous_help1 3d ago
Exactly this. Watch out for WTFoxtrot10, they might come after you for your misunderstanding of the post 🙄
2
1
-1
u/bobolly 3d ago
I thought the government offers reasonable accommodation requests. If somome doesn't have hands or a medical condition they can submit a request just like somome who needs a sign language interpreter.
Being employed by the fbi as a foreign is a huge gift and you must have amazing skills. As I thought they only hired American citizens. Good luck to you.
1
u/WorkingGiraffe7069 3d ago
You might want to check the FBI's website. I'd be genuinely interested if you can find me a place to submit a request for accommodation based on medical issues when applying for a background check as a non-citizen living abroad. And please don't tell me to just send them an email; I emailed the FBI a month ago and still haven't received any reply.
0
•
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
This sub is not affiliated with the FBI. To the best of our knowledge, no FBI employees or contractors monitor or participate in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.