<p>Hi. My D is headed to Prague in the fall – the visa application asks for a criminal background check, which seems like it can be anything from a letter from your local police department to a nationwide FBI fingerprint check. State department web site isn’t very clear. Anyone know what’s really required? Thanks.</p>
<p>the background check they require is really only a formality, you can present a background check from your local or state police stations, or you could get one online for a very small fee. </p>
<p>You will be asked if you have any criminal records on your visa application but as long as you dont have any “red flags” on your record, or if the incident was more than 7 years ago, then you shouldn’t have any problems with the visa application. </p>
<p>In my opinion, it would be better to get an online report from website that offer the service, it would be less time consuming and more convinient.</p>
<p>You could start by visiting this site for [free</a> background check information](<a href=“http://www.dontbeavictim.org%5Dfree”>http://www.dontbeavictim.org)</p>
<p>It seems like all that’s needed is the affidavit that can be downloaded from the consular website. The link for exactly what the consulate wants is here:</p>
<p>[Student</a> Visa | Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.](<a href=“http://www.mzv.cz/washington/en/consular_information/visa_residency/student_visa/index.html]Student”>http://www.mzv.cz/washington/en/consular_information/visa_residency/student_visa/index.html)</p>
<p>All she would need to do is print the form off and get it signed and notarized.</p>