Fast and in-depth Background Checks to boost the hiring process

The length of time that a background check takes will vary depending on the type of check being conducted and the resources available. Because Pescheck has access to +1000 databases around the world, we can often perform international background checks from minutes up to a few working days.

For example, an ID check is immediately completed, while a more comprehensive background screening such as a diploma/qualification verification could take a few business days.

When an individual is arrested, their personal information is entered into a police database. This includes their name, date of birth, and other identifying information. As a result, arrests can show up on background checks. In certain cases, we only search for criminal convictions, criminal records or certificates of conduct, not arrests. In that case arrests won't show up in our background checks.

Do you want to make sure an arrest will not show up on a background check? Do a personal background check via Pescheck.

Yes, background checks are legal when conducted properly. Employers must comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR in Europe, which requires obtaining explicit consent from candidates before conducting checks.

The information collected must be relevant to the role and processed lawfully. Different countries have specific requirements about what can be checked and how long records can be retained. Pescheck ensures all background checks are conducted in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The look-back period of background checks varies by country, type of screening and job role. The availability of criminal record information differs per jurisdiction and may range from a limited number of years to no formal time limit, depending on local rehabilitation and expungement laws.

Employment history and reference checks typically cover the past five to seven years, while education credentials can generally be verified without a time restriction. Sanctions and PEP lists, as well as identity checks, are assessed based on the most current available information.

Information obtained through a background check may only be used to assess whether a candidate is suitable for a specific role or assignment. Only relevant data should be processed, based on a valid legal ground, and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis.

Candidates must be given the opportunity to provide clarification or raise objections. Decisions should be transparent, justifiable and non-discriminatory. In addition, data retention periods should be limited, with information deleted or anonymised where appropriate for reporting purposes. All decisions and considerations should be clearly documented in internal reports.

The platform supports both pre-employment and in-employment screening. During recruitment, checks can be initiated directly from the ATS, allowing identity verification, education checks and sanctions screening to be completed before employment starts.

During employment, organisations can perform periodic or role-based re-screenings, for example for positions of trust or regulated roles. These screenings are managed through policy-driven workflows, clear reporting and documented candidate consent. This approach helps build trust while minimising administrative burden, both from a legal perspective and for the candidate experience.

Integrations with HR systems and automated notifications make the process scalable across teams and locations. More information is available on our page about employee screening.

With our platform, you can conduct international background checks using the same workflow as domestic screenings. We rely on global data sources and work with trusted local partners, ensuring that all checks comply with country-specific laws and regulations.

Candidates complete multilingual checks with digital consent. Depending on the country, the platform performs the appropriate identity verification, criminal record checks, education verification and sanctions or PEP screening. All results are consolidated into a single report and central dashboard, with automated status updates.

More details about our approach, turnaround times and country coverage can be found on our page about global background screening. Do you still have questions? Don't hesitate to contact us.