Updated
GL-B-03
Glossary · Due Diligence and compliance
Background check - the review of your background that decides your application
A check of the applicant good standing: criminal history, court cases, sanctions, reputation. Part of Due Diligence in citizenship and residence programs.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- A check on the applicant’s good standing: background, court cases, sanctions, reputation
- Where it applies
- Citizenship and residence by investment, opening accounts
- What is checked
- Criminal history, sanctions, the origin of money, the media
- Part of what
- Due diligence and AML
- Can you prepare
- Yes: gather documents and close weak points in advance
02 / In plain words
What Background check means
A background check is an examination of the applicant’s history and reputation before a state or bank makes a decision. It covers criminal history, court cases, sanctions lists, business reputation, the origin of money and mentions in the media. In essence, it is the practical part of due diligence.
The logic is that both the country issuing the passport and the bank opening the account must be sure they are dealing with a person of good standing with no hidden problems. That is why you are screened against databases, asked for criminal record certificates and documents on the origin of your wealth, and contentious episodes are examined separately.
The outcome of the check depends largely on preparation. If the weak points — an old lawsuit, an unclear transfer, PEP status — are closed with documents in advance, the check goes smoothly. If the reviewer finds them on their own, without explanation, it is grounds for refusal, and the fees paid are usually not refunded.
A case from practice
An applicant for citizenship undergoes a background check. An old lawsuit comes up, long since closed. With the court decision and an explanation attached in advance, it is a passable episode. Had the reviewer found the lawsuit on their own, without explanation, the application might have been rejected and the check fee not refunded.
Where a check is needed
- Citizenship by investment
- Residence and permanent residence by investment
- Opening a bank account
- Checking partners and counterparties
- Enhanced PEP due diligence
- Large transactions
03 / What it covers
What is checked
Identity
- Criminal history
- Convictions and police records
- PEP status
Money
- Source of wealth
- Source of funds
- Sanctions lists
Reputation
- Court cases
- Media mentions
- Business reputation
Business
- Corporate history
- Beneficial ownership
- Related companies
04 / How it works
How the check works
Gathering documents
Police certificates, documents on money and background.
Screening against databases and sanctions
The reviewer checks you against databases and lists.
Examining contentious episodes
Old lawsuits, transfers, posts - with explanations.
Assessing good standing
The state or bank weighs the risk.
Decision
Approval, a request for documents or refusal.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01What is checked
Background and reputation
Criminal history, court cases, sanctions lists, business reputation, source of funds, the media.
02Who runs it
Governments and banks
The country issuing the passport or residence permit, and the bank opening the account. It is the practical part of due diligence.
03What decides it
Preparation
Weak points closed with documents in advance pass smoothly. Ones the reviewer finds unexplained lead to refusal.
04On refusal
Fees are not refunded
Programme due diligence fees are usually non-refundable.
Common mistakes
Hiding an episode in your past
Disclose it with documents: the check will find it anyway.
Applying without documents on the money
Prepare a source of funds and wealth file before applying.
Underestimating PEP status in yourself or relatives
Check your family's posts and prepare explanations.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Before filing, run an internal check against the same databases the state uses, gather criminal record certificates and documents on the origin of your wealth and explain contentious episodes in advance — old lawsuits, large transfers, PEP status. Then by the time of the check the reviewer has no questions left, and you do not pay the fees in vain.
What we do for you. BRIDGES GLOBAL runs an internal check in advance against the same databases the state uses: we find weak points, close them with documents and prepare explanations. That way you learn about the risks from us before filing, not from a refusal.
Klara RihterBanking compliance and source of funds specialist
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
Criminal history and court cases, sanctions lists, PEP status, the origin of wealth and funds, business reputation and media mentions.
Yes, and it decides the outcome. An internal check against the same databases, criminal record certificates and explanations of contentious episodes gathered before filing remove the reviewer’s questions.
An unclear origin of money, concealed convictions or lawsuits, links to sanctioned persons, and a mismatch between the form and what the reviewer found.
As a rule, no: the check fee pays for the work itself, regardless of the outcome. That is why weak points are closed before filing.
A background check is precisely the practical part of due diligence: checking the background, sanctions, money and reputation of a particular applicant.
Adult applicants, yes — each one separately. The family composition and age thresholds depend on the programme.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
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