Sorry....I searched but couldnt find an answer.  

 

For the Non O-A criminal background check, an FBI fingerprint check will suffice.  

The application requirement is that the fingerprint check submitted has an "authorized signature."   The report from the FBI is emailed to the applicant and it will have an "authorized signature" on it, but it is, after all, an emailed document.  

Does Thai immigration want the document authenticated, i.e. sent to the State Dept, before it is submitted?    Or does the report as rec'd from FBI already meet the requirement?

 

 

Many thx

 

Thai immigrations doesn't want anything, I think you mean Thai embassy because you get a Non-OA visa from one of the 4 Thai Embassies in the USA online thru the eVisa s portal depending on where you are in the country.

and

Unless I am greatly mistaken background checks in the US are run by the state you're in.

 

So Google that, figure out how to get the check done in your state, do it, and upload the results in the appropriate area on the eVisa online application. 

 

To answer your question, no. 

Just upload the document you get back from the background check and it will suffice.

Why is there a benefit to the Non-OA versus the Non-O.  With the Non-O you don't have to get that useless insurance or jump through so many hoops.  Maybe it makes sense if they accept your existing insurance?

11 minutes ago, ricklev said:

Why is there a benefit to the Non-OA versus the Non-O.

Exactly what I was wondering. 

 

Some folk do it as no need to have the funds in a Thai bank.. 

However at some point for extensions would require Thai bank account and also meet the financial requirements. 

 

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

36 minutes ago, ricklev said:

Why is there a benefit to the Non-OA versus the Non-O.

Exactly what I was wondering. 

 

Some folk do it as no need to have the funds in a Thai bank.. 

In Denmark, the NON-O based on age is for retired people over 50 year. If you are over 50 years and still working they want you to apply for the NON OA.

31 minutes ago, farang51 said:

In Denmark, the NON-O based on age is for retired people over 50 year. If you are over 50 years and still working they want you to apply for the NON OA.

That's just crazy. 

In any event the OP is from USA. 

He can easily obtain a Non O (retirement) from anywhere on eVisa platform. 

So to can a Denmark guy. 

Can even obtain a Non O in Thailand from a visa exempt or tourist visa entry. 

 

While we refer to Non O (retirement) thats just a misnomer. 

The requirement is to be over 50yr.

You do not need to be retired for a Non O or a Non O-A. 

Just not allowed to work in thailand

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That's just crazy. 

 

While we refer to Non O (retirement) thats just a misnomer. 

The requirement is to be over 50yr.

You do not need to be retired for a Non O or a Non O-A. 

Just not allowed to work in thailand

Yes, it is crazy; however, they are very clear on that, from the NON O section on their website:

 

"The applicant must be over the age of 50 and retired. Those who are above 50 but have not yet retired can not apply for this type of visa; they are advised to apply for the O-A visa, instead."

 

https://copenhagen.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/visa-types-updated

6 minutes ago, farang51 said:

Yes, it is crazy; however, they are very clear on that, from the NON O section on their website:

What stops them for applying outside of that country.

As I posted above.,..Non O (retirement) can be obtained from most countries using eVisa platform.

In addition can be obtained inside of Thailand.

 

Note: visas are now applied for on e-Visa platform.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

What stops them for applying outside of that country.

As I posted above.,..Non O (retirement) can be obtained from most countries using eVisa platform.

In addition can be obtained inside of Thailand.

 

Note: visas are now applied for on e-Visa platform.

It was just an example that different countries may have different rules, so that some people may not be able to choose the NON O instead of the NON OA.

 

Yes, visas are applied through the e-visa platform, but as far as I know, you have to be in the country from which you apply. Thus, I guess, most Danes will apply from Denmark - and a few from Thailand.

 

On 9/14/2025 at 3:00 PM, Tod Daniels said:

Thai immigrations doesn't want anything, I think you mean Thai embassy because you get a Non-OA visa from one of the 4 Thai Embassies in the USA online thru the eVisa s portal depending on where you are in the country.

and

Unless I am greatly mistaken background checks in the US are run by the state you're in.

 

So Google that, figure out how to get the check done in your state, do it, and upload the results in the appropriate area on the eVisa online application. 

 

To answer your question, no. 

Just upload the document you get back from the background check and it will suffice.

TY.....Yes, I suppose I meant Thai embassy for the application.   

 

It's actually easier to obtain an FBI background check because many US Post Offices can take the fingerprints.  Plus there are "channelers" to whom the FBI outsources background checks.   Police stations can be a hassle (we are too busy, there's no one here at moment...., etc.)   Plus you have to visit the station in person.   

 

I'll double check whether local police check is mandatory though.   Thank you for pointing it out.      I did find this below so I assumed FBI check would work for a visa.  

https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/Criminal-Record-Checks-Updated-4-10-25.pdf

 

 

On 9/14/2025 at 3:30 PM, DrJack54 said:

Exactly what I was wondering. 

 

Some folk do it as no need to have the funds in a Thai bank.. 

However at some point for extensions would require Thai bank account and also meet the financial requirements. 

 

Yep...this is my rationale.  ty

 

Plus, it gives one year straight away so it's just one less thing to do on arrival.       Ill have to set the bank etc up eventually.  

Also, I already have global health insurance so I am not incurring an added expense there.   I've checked.  It will meet the initial requirements.    So really all I have to do is prove I am not a leper ha and get the background check.  

5 minutes ago, SeeAyOh said:

TY.....Yes, I suppose I meant Thai embassy for the application.   

It's actually easier to obtain an FBI background check because many US Post Offices can take the fingerprints.  Plus there are "channelers" to whom the FBI outsources background checks.   Police stations can be a hassle (we are too busy, there's no one here at moment...., etc.)   Plus you have to visit the station in person.   

 

I'll double check whether local police check is mandatory though.   Thank you for pointing it out.      I did find this so I assumed FBI check would work for a visa.   https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/Criminal-Record-Checks-Updated-4-10-25.pdf 

 

 

Unless the requirement has changed the criminal background check has to be from a State or Federal agency. A local police dept or county sheriff doesn't meet that requirement.

 

But do yourself a favor and get a single entry Non-O instead of the Non-OA. The OA is the absolute worst type of visa to apply for.

 

To extend the OA once in Thailand the insurance required must be a Thai policy. Any "Global Health Insurance" would not be accepted. Immigration wants an approved, and totally worthless, Thai policy for the extension. 

15 minutes ago, SeeAyOh said:

 It will meet the initial requirements

I'm not up to date with Non O-A eVisa requirements. 

Previously required a medical. 

Have you addressed that 

On 9/15/2025 at 7:51 PM, DrJack54 said:

I'm not up to date with Non O-A eVisa requirements. 

Previously required a medical. 

Have you addressed that 

 

I think that's what he's referring to when he says:

 

On 9/15/2025 at 7:34 PM, SeeAyOh said:

all I have to do is prove I am not a leper

 

The OA never required a real medical exam, just the silly form confirming that you don't have leprosy, elephantiasis, etc. Some people have had trouble getting the form signed without actually being tested for all the conditions, but my doctor just signed it with a laugh, as he noted that all of the listed conditions were not only extremely rare, but also had physical symptoms that would be very obvious. But you're right, the form can be a problem if your physician is a stickler.

1 minute ago, khunjeff said:

But you're right, the form can be a problem if your physician is a stickler

Your personal experience is correct Re previously it was a signature along with clinic stamp. 

 

I believe things have changed esp in some countries where the gp may insist on eg blood tests. 

That would be a extra nonsense to dea l with. 

On 9/14/2025 at 3:16 PM, ricklev said:

Why is there a benefit to the Non-OA versus the Non-O.  With the Non-O you don't have to get that useless insurance or jump through so many hoops.  Maybe it makes sense if they accept your existing insurance?

You don't need any money in Thailand and you don't have to deal with immigration except for the initial 90 day report. Others can be done by mail. You can move freely around Thailand without having to go back to the immigration office you got your non O extension from.

For a quick FBI Background check, I used Certifix. They give you a QR code and go to a UPS store to do livescans. I received mine in a few hours.

I applied for the OA recently and it could not have been easier.

i cannot speak to each evisa location. I applied to LA consulate. 
Regarding the police report you have 2 options.  Both have worked for me at different times.

1) go to your local city police station and request a verified police report. This one you must pay a little extra, yet it will have a signature and it will have a logo with your local police station. 
i cannot say your police will offer this service. 
This simply says in the local jurisdiction you a free of convictions. It is not the same as a FBI report. The LA consulate has accepted this.

 

2) you can obtain an official FBI report. Fastest procedure is to register to have your finger prints electronically recorded, rather than sending in a paper card. It’s my understanding Thailand accepts this. The FBi report does not have a signature on it. 
 

I have sent in the report from my local police and this has been accepted. 
 

I submitted all my documents to the Thai consulate the first time. I expected possibly a two week delay to get my approved evisa. The evisa was approved in 24 hours. 
 

Why individuals choose OA versus O is entirely personal.  There are benefits to both only each individual person can decide which visa they want. Everyone has their own reasons. 

On 9/14/2025 at 3:00 PM, Tod Daniels said:

background checks in the US are run by the state you're in

They can also be run by any lower governmental office such as county and city police department.

45 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

They can also be run by any lower governmental office such as county and city police department.

 

A background check by a county or city agency doesn't meet the requirement.

 

This is from the Thai Embassy in Wash DC website for Non-OA requirements:

 

5. FBI or certificate of criminal record clearance issued from State or Federal Bureau of Investigation only (Issue within 3 months).
An online criminal record without an authorized signature is unacceptable

 

https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-oa

 

Maybe if you're lucky they will accept it but a friend of mine had his background check from the San Diego County Sheriff's Dept rejected a couple of years ago.