The reasons for conducting an international background check are the same as those when hiring domestically. Businesses are legally required to exercise due diligence when making employment decisions. For instance, if you hire someone who harms a customer or co-worker, and a background check could have revealed a previous history of similar behavior, it is a very real possibility you could be the target of a costly negligent-hiring lawsuit.

Many people are in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants or lack valid work visas. International background checks should be completed on these individuals to obtain information regarding any overseas criminal activity and to confirm employment and education, especially for those who have not been in the U.S. long enough to provide adequate American references. In addition, U.S.-based employers should conduct international background searches on individuals who will be working at an overseas branch of their company and living outside of the U.S.