FBI Fingerprinting for US Citizens Living in Australia: Visa & Residency Guide (2026)
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for American expats, and the Australian Department of Home Affairs has clear, well-documented FBI background check requirements for US citizens applying for skilled migration visas, partner visas, and citizenship. If you are a US citizen living in Australia and need to get this done, the process is simpler and faster than most people expect.
MR Fingerprints has developed a fully remote process that delivers FBI background check results in 5–7 business days — or 48 hours with expedited processing — without you setting foot on a plane. Here is everything you need to know about Australian visa requirements and how the process works from anywhere in Australia.
How to Get Your FBI Background Check from Australia — Fast
The most common mistake Americans in Australia make is assuming they need to fly back to the US to get fingerprinted. You do not. Australian Federal Police (AFP) stations and many local police stations will take ink fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card for official US background check purposes.
| ⚡ How the MR Fingerprints Remote Process Works — Results in 5–7 Business Days
Step 1 — Contact MR Fingerprints. Reach out via phone or email to receive detailed instructions specific to your country and situation. Step 2 — Visit your local police station. Most police stations worldwide will take ink fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card as a courtesy for official background check purposes. Bring your instructions from MR Fingerprints. Step 3 — Scan and email your completed ink card. Once your prints are taken, scan the card at high resolution and email it directly to MR Fingerprints. Step 4 — MR Fingerprints submits to the DOJ in Sacramento. We process your submission electronically through the California DOJ system. Step 5 — Results delivered to MR Fingerprints in 5–7 business days. Standard turnaround is 5–7 business days from submission. Need it faster? Ask MR Fingerprints about our 48-hour expedited processing option when you make contact. 📞 Contact us first — we provide personalized instructions for your specific country and document requirements. |
| ⚡ 5–7 Business Days vs. Months — Why This Matters for Australian Visa Timelines
Standard overseas FBI processing through the mail: 6–8 weeks minimum MR Fingerprints remote process: 5–7 business days standard, 48 hours expedited For Australian visa applications with fixed lodgement deadlines, this speed difference is critical For skilled migration visas where your invitation to apply has a 60-day response window, fast turnaround matters Contact MR Fingerprints first — we provide instructions tailored to your Australian situation |
Why Australia Requires an FBI Background Check
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs requires all visa applicants to satisfy character requirements under the Migration Act 1958. For US citizens, this means providing police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more cumulatively in the past 10 years. For most US citizens, the FBI Identity History Summary is the required US police clearance — it covers your complete US criminal history across all 50 states.
| 📋 Australia’s 12-Month / 10-Year Rule
You need a police clearance from every country where you have lived for 12+ months cumulatively in the past 10 years. For most US citizens in Australia, this means an FBI clearance is required — you almost certainly lived in the US for 12+ months in the past decade. If you have also lived in other countries for 12+ months, you need police clearances from those countries too. Australia accepts FBI clearances issued within 12 months of your visa application date — one of the most generous validity windows of any country. |
Which Australian Visas Require an FBI Background Check?
| Visa Category | Subclass | FBI Check Required? |
| Skilled Independent | 189 | Yes — police clearance from all countries 12+ months in past 10 years |
| Skilled Nominated | 190 | Yes — same as 189 |
| Skilled Work Regional | 491 | Yes — same as 189 |
| Partner Visa (offshore) | 309 / 100 | Yes — character requirements apply |
| Partner Visa (onshore) | 820 / 801 | Yes — character requirements apply |
| Parent Visa | 103 / 143 / 173 | Yes — character requirements apply |
| Employer Sponsored | 482 / 186 | Yes — character requirements apply |
| Graduate Temporary Visa | 485 | Yes — character requirements apply |
| Australian Citizenship | — | Yes — police checks from all countries of residence |
| Aged Care / NDIS workers | — | Yes — international police check required for overseas-trained workers |
Requirements current as of early 2026. Confirm with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent for your specific visa subclass.
Does the FBI Background Check Need an Apostille for Australia?
Yes — for most Australian visa applications, the FBI Identity History Summary must be accompanied by a federal apostille from the US Department of State. Australia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, and the apostille authenticates your FBI document so the Department of Home Affairs can accept it as a legally valid foreign official document.
| ⚠️ Federal Apostille Only — Two Points That Cannot Be Missed
Point 1: FBI documents are federal — they must be apostilled by the US Department of State only. A state apostille (California, Texas, New York, etc.) is invalid for FBI documents and will be rejected. Point 2: Upload the apostilled FBI document and the apostille certificate together as a single PDF to ImmiAccount. No translation is required — English is the official language of Australian immigration documentation. MR Fingerprints coordinates the US Department of State federal apostille as part of our complete service. |
Uploading Your FBI Document to ImmiAccount
Once you receive your apostilled FBI document from MR Fingerprints, here is how to upload it to your Australian visa application:
- Scan the apostilled document and apostille certificate together as a single PDF file.
- Log in to ImmiAccount and navigate to your visa application.
- Upload the combined PDF under the character documents section.
- Label the document clearly — ‘USA FBI Identity History Summary — Apostilled’ is the recommended label.
- File size limit in ImmiAccount is typically 5MB per document — compress your PDF if necessary.
The case officer reviews character documents as part of the final assessment stage. Processing times vary by visa subclass — check current processing times at homeaffairs.gov.au.
US Citizens Currently in the US Applying for Australian Visas
If you are currently in the United States applying for an Australian visa, the Department of Home Affairs may require two separate US background checks:
- FBI Identity History Summary — covering your federal US criminal history across all 50 states
- State police clearance — from each US state where you have lived for at least 3 months in the last 12 months
MR Fingerprints provides both FBI and California DOJ Live Scan fingerprinting from our downtown Los Angeles location. Both submissions can often be handled in a single appointment if you are in the LA area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my FBI background check done entirely from Australia?
Yes. Contact MR Fingerprints first for instructions. You then visit your local AFP station or police station in Australia to have ink fingerprints taken on a standard fingerprint card. Scan the completed card and email it to us. We submit it electronically and deliver results in 5–7 business days. You never need to travel back to the United States.
Will an Australian police station take my fingerprints for a US FBI background check?
In most cases, yes. Australian Federal Police (AFP) service centers and many local police stations will take ink fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card for official overseas background check purposes. Contact your nearest AFP service center or local station in advance and bring the instructions MR Fingerprints provides when you reach out to us.
Can I get fingerprinted at the US Embassy in Canberra for my Australian visa?
No. The US Embassy in Canberra cannot provide FBI fingerprinting services. Use the MR Fingerprints remote process — visit your local AFP or police station for ink fingerprinting, scan the card, and email it to us.
How long does it take and how long is it valid for Australian visas?
Results are delivered in 5–7 business days from the date we receive your scanned ink card. A 48-hour expedited option is available — ask about it when you contact us. Australia accepts FBI documents issued within 12 months of your visa application lodgement date, which is one of the most generous validity windows of any country.
Does Australia require a translation of the FBI background check?
No. The FBI Identity History Summary is already in English, which is the official language of Australian immigration documentation. No certified translation is required for Australian visa or citizenship applications.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact MR Fingerprints first — we provide personalized instructions based on your specific visa type and situation in Australia. The process is fully remote and results arrive in days, not months.
- ✅ Fully remote process — no travel to the US required
- ✅ Results in 5–7 business days — 48-hour expedited option available
- ✅ Federal apostille coordination — US Department of State
- ✅ In-person Live Scan available if you are visiting Los Angeles
📞 Contact us for instructions → 213.761.5883 | info@mrfingerprints.com
📍 Or book in-person if visiting Los Angeles → Book Now