Will A Criminal Record Bar You From Obtaininga Retirees Visa?

[dennis3506]

I have a criminal record (one only) from 25 years ago for which I served some jail time. Will this prevent me from obtaining a retirees O visa? Is it easier to obtain it within Thailand or outside the country?

[imaneggspurt]

I have a criminal record (one only) from 25 years ago for which I served some jail time. Will this prevent me from obtaining a retirees O visa? Is it easier to obtain it within Thailand or outside the country?

Ithink you will find in Pattaya its compulsory , but seriously i dont even think it asks the question on the application,

[dennis3506]

I have a criminal record (one only) from 25 years ago for which I served some jail time. Will this prevent me from obtaining a retirees O visa? Is it easier to obtain it within Thailand or outside the country?

Ithink you will find in Pattaya its compulsory , but seriously i dont even think it asks the question on the application,

Here is part of the O Visa requirements.

"Verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record issued from the country of his/her nationality or residence (the verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarized by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/consular mission)."

[OlRedEyes]

Police clearance required if you are applying in your own country. Not required if you apply in Thailand. Go figure.

[Shotime]

It might depend upon what the crime was...which reminds me of a joke.

A guy goes into a bar, and is immediately spied by a bar fly.

She moves next to him and says, "I haven't seen you here before.

"I've been away for a while."

"Where?"

"Jail."

"What did you do?"

"I killed my wife."

"So, you're single!"

It's early, but that's best of the day so far. So true. So funny. The Pattaya requirement was good too, but I don't pick on Pattaya anymore. Too easy.

You can apply for a visa inside Thailand?

I believe a criminal record check is required to get certain types of visas. Do you have a passport? You can just come here, and get a 30-day tourist visa if you have a passport.

[Jingthing]

Apply for an extension in Thailand. Forget the O-A in your home country. The end result is the same. Have a nice life.

[boiledegg]

I have a criminal record (one only) from 25 years ago for which I served some jail time. Will this prevent me from obtaining a retirees O visa? Is it easier to obtain it within Thailand or outside the country?

If youre from the UK a criminal record can be ignored for purposes such as visas under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Im sure most other countries will have comething similar.

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/rehabact.htm

[Beardog]

If you are applying from the U.S. & have a valid passport Try to get a type O visa . They usually will require a valid reason.

They asked me if I was planning on getting married ....I replied yes & was told I had 60 days to get married.

When you hit Thailand apply for your OA visa if over 50 years old. Keep your nose clean & stay out of trouble for 3 months. I got my police report in the states as long as you have no trouble for 3 months your good in the U.S. I requested a 3 month printout & they obliged for $20.00 you can get one as well here but it is tougher to get your visa to stay in the kingdom. A type O visa will grant you the right to apply for the OA visa for long stay. A tourist visa no good & if you intend on staying you need 800,000 baht to put in a Thai bank acct.

Good luck!

[JetsetBkk]

...When you hit Thailand apply for your OA visa if over 50 years...

O-A visas are only available from Thai embassies - not in Thailand.

[Jingthing]

...When you hit Thailand apply for your OA visa if over 50 years...

O-A visas are only available from Thai embassies - not in Thailand.

True. Best to come with an O. Tell a consulate, "exploring retirement in Thailand" should be good for at least one entry. Then apply for the extension based on retirement, no crim record needed. Be sure to be clear how you will qualify for the extension. If using the bank account only, the money MUST be seasoned for 3 months for applying for extension.

[retirednavyman]

Was it a felony or misdeameanor conviction? I believe if it's a misdeameanon conviction, the statute of limitations automatically expunges it from your record after a certain amount of time. Good luck

[Jingthing]

Much ado about nothing. Come to Thailand with an O and go for the extension, no crim report needed for that, period.

[Nowhereman60]

It's seems most of the expects here aren't expects at all. For a Retirement Visa you must apply from your home country your a citizen and hold a passport with. Also you must have a valid police clearance/check within the last 90 days prior to submitting your application. So no one can tell you if your visa will be approved or not except the Thai consulate you submit your application too.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

It's seems most of the expects here aren't expects at all. For a Retirement Visa you must apply from your home country your a citizen and hold a passport with. Also you must have a valid police clearance/check within the last 90 days prior to submitting your application. So no one can tell you if your visa will be approved or not except the Thai consulate you submit your application too.

Not correct. A Police Clearance is only required for an O-A visa. An O visa is more than adequate to get an extended visa for retirement WITHOUT a Police Certificate.

[Jingthing]

Correct. Honorable Doctor Pong, Sir. Why anyone bothers with an O-A has always been beyond me. BTW, please do not be silly and assume that most people who choose the O over the O-A have a criminal record to hide!

[Lite Beer]

Yes. No police check needed if you do it in Thailand.

Straightforward and easy.

[lopburi3]

About every wives tale in the book in this thread.

1. 30 day visa exempt entry is not a tourist visa. It could be converted into retirement one year extension of stay at an additional cost of 2,000 baht if done with 21 days or more remaining.

2. Long stay non immigrant OA visa can be issued in your country of nationality or residence.

3. Police check is not part of the O Visa requirements.

4. The end result of OA or extension of stay are not exactly the same - with OA you do not have to have money in Thailand and can stay up to almost two years on a multi entry type visa and do not need re-entry permits during the first year.

5. You do not obtain an OA visa in Thailand and you do not need a police report, even of three months, to obtain an Immigration extension of stay for retirement.

[mopenyang]

It's seems most of the expects here aren't expects at all. For a Retirement Visa you must apply from your home country your a citizen and hold a passport with. Also you must have a valid police clearance/check within the last 90 days prior to submitting your application. So no one can tell you if your visa will be approved or not except the Thai consulate you submit your application too.

Not true.

It's relatively easy to convert in Thailand a Non-Imm B to a Non-Imm O Retirement type visa if you meet all the requirements.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

It's seems most of the expects here aren't expects at all. For a Retirement Visa you must apply from your home country your a citizen and hold a passport with. Also you must have a valid police clearance/check within the last 90 days prior to submitting your application. So no one can tell you if your visa will be approved or not except the Thai consulate you submit your application too.

Unless there has been a recent change the above is in error. I applied for retirement visa from Australia and hold a US passport.

No problems at all.

[onnut]

look at all these criminals helping each other out , there are enough ex cons here, stay in the UK.

[Jingthing]

Only one ex-con here that I can tell, the OP. Rules is rules.

[roygsd]

look at all these criminals helping each other out , there are enough ex cons here, stay in the UK.

the guy is an ex con for sure , but he paid the price and now you want him to pay again?

Pardon me for pointing out the obvious but when it comes to deciding Thai imigration policy your opinion is worthless, in fact you and the op are in the same boat as far as the Thai Authorities are concerned.

You walk on water yourself?

Roy gsd

[Phil_ne_uk]

look at all these criminals helping each other out , there are enough ex cons here, stay in the UK.

the guy is an ex con for sure , but he paid the price and now you want him to pay again?

Pardon me for pointing out the obvious but when it comes to deciding Thai imigration policy your opinion is worthless, in fact you and the op are in the same boat as far as the Thai Authorities are concerned.

You walk on water yourself?

Roy gsd

Well said roygsd!!!

I would say worry about the criminals here in thailand, not any EX cons coming here to retire or visit for a holiday & relaxation!