This was 2022, right after Colombia launched the Digital Nomad Visa program. It was the first time I’d seen this request on a DNV application. I assumed it was unusual, maybe specific to his case.

I was wrong. Since then, criminal record requests have become one of the most common additional document requirements I see. What caught us off guard that first time is now something I prepare every client for before we even submit.

The Colombia visa criminal record request that started it

Three weeks into the application, immigration sent their request: provide an apostilled criminal background check.

The problem? Getting official criminal records in many countries means going through specific government offices, often in person. Then you need the apostille authentication, which adds more time. Some countries process this in days. Others take weeks or months.

We had 10 days.

My client flew back to his home country. We mapped out every step: which office to visit, what forms to fill out, how to fast-track the apostille once he had the document.

We submitted the completed, apostilled criminal record on the very last day of our deadline. The upload went through with just hours to spare.

Visa approved: 18 months.

He’s now living in Medellín, working his US tech job with mountain views instead of a cubicle wall.

What this case taught me

That first request changed how I handle every application.

Criminal background checks are no longer a surprise. They’re an expectation. Immigration can and will request documents that aren’t on any official list, and the criminal record has become one of the most frequent.

The timing is the real problem. Depending on your country, getting an apostilled criminal record can take anywhere from a few days to several months. If you wait until immigration asks, you might not be able to meet the deadline.

How I handle this now

Before we submit any application, I ask every client about their home country’s criminal record process.

How long does it take to request? Is it done online or in person? How long does the apostille take? Can any of this be expedited?

For countries with slow processing, I recommend getting the criminal record before we even apply. The document usually stays valid for three to six months, depending on what immigration accepts. Starting early means you’re not scrambling if the request comes.

For countries with faster processing, we at least map out the exact steps. That way, if the request arrives, my client knows exactly what to do and can move immediately.

What you should do before applying

Research your home country’s criminal background check process. Find out how long it takes, where to apply, and what the apostille process looks like.

If it takes more than two weeks total, consider getting it done before you submit your visa application. Yes, this costs money upfront. But losing your application because you couldn’t meet a 10-day deadline costs more.

If you’re from United States, the FBI background check is the most common request. Standard processing takes 12 to 18 weeks. Expedited options exist but aren’t always available. The apostille from Washington DC adds more time. This is a document you should start early.

The Digital Nomad Visa process rewards people who prepare for the unexpected. The requests you don’t see coming are the ones that can sink your application, unless you’ve already done the work.

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Not sure how long your country’s criminal record process takes? I can help you figure out if you should get it before applying, or how to move fast if immigration requests it. Let’s talk.

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