Cannnabis Importation, Will I Get A Visa

[DavidJames1234]

Evening All,

I have a criminal record for importing dope from Holland to the UK, will I still be ok getting a Thai settlement visa and a work permit (when I find a job)?

My Mrs is Thai.

Thanks

[Soutpeel]

No such thing as a settlement visa, but you will be able to get a visa for being married to a Thai.

For this process, you would not be required to disclose your criminal record.

However you may have a problem come job time, certain positions require a Police certificate from the UK and it would come out that way...how long ago was this ? and did you serve time as certain offenses in the UK are considered "spent" after 10 years, but dont think cannabis importation is on that list...

So could you get visa to live here with your wife...yes most likely, work here without providing a police report from the UK...depends on the job

[endure]

No such thing as a settlement visa, but you will be able to get a visa for being married to a Thai.

For this process, you would not be required to disclose your criminal record.

However you may have a problem come job time, certain positions require a Police certificate from the UK and it would come out that way...how long ago was this ? and did you serve time as certain offenses in the UK are considered "spent" after 10 years, but dont think cannabis importation is on that list...

So could you get visa to live here with your wife...yes most likely, work here without providing a police report from the UK...depends on the job

Any form of drug dealing is never considered 'spent' in the UK.

[lopburi3]

11. According to the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E. 2522 (1979), foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter Thailand:

(1) Having no genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport without valid visa issuance by the Royal Thai Embassies, the Royal Thai Consulates-General or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with exception of those who meet visa exemption requirements. The terms and conditions of visa issuance and visa exemption are prescribed by the Ministerial Regulations.

(2) Having no appropriate means of living following entry into the Kingdom.

(3) Having entered the Kingdom to be employed as an unskilled or untrained labourer, or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.

(4) Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases stated in the Ministerial Regulations.

(5) Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox; or inoculated, or undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease; and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the Immigration Doctor.

(6) Having been imprisoned by judgment of the Thai Court; or by lawful injunction or judgment of the Court of a foreign country, except for when the penalty is for a petty offence, or negligence, or is provided for as an exception by the Ministerial Regulations.

(7) Having behaviour which could cause possible danger to the public; or having the likelihood of being a nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace, safety and security of the public or to the security of the nation; or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.

(8) Reason to believe that entry into Kingdom is for the purpose of being involved in prostitution, the trafficking of women or children, drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are against public morality.

(9) Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

(10) Being a person prohibited by the Minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

(11) Being deported by either the Government of Thailand or that of other foreign countries; or having been revoked the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries; or having been expelled from the Kingdom by competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless exemption is provided by the Minister on an individual basis.

[TommoPhysicist]

Re Visa

Nobody will ever know, VISA on entry, then when in Thailand extension based on marriage to Thai national, no police checks done, no difficult questions asked.

Re Employment

Depends what job, if something like selling insurance and condos to expats, again no questions asked.

[Colabamumbai]

In the meantime apply for a "Pardon" in your home country for the offence/offences,, your record is then kept sealed and shows as no record if you are required to have a police check at home or in a foreign country. There are a lot of agencies that do this for people, in North America $500. or so. They do all the paperwork on your behalf, you just fill in forms for them. In Canada it is known as a "Federal Pardon".

[lopburi3]

Flame removed.

[puchooay]

In the meantime apply for a "Pardon" in your home country for the offence/offences,, your record is then kept sealed and shows as no record if you are required to have a police check at home or in a foreign country. There are a lot of agencies that do this for people, in North America $500. or so. They do all the paperwork on your behalf, you just fill in forms for them. In Canada it is known as a "Federal Pardon".

As previously mentioned, drugs cases are never spent. We are talking about the UK not Canada.

[Soutpeel]

In the meantime apply for a "Pardon" in your home country for the offence/offences,, your record is then kept sealed and shows as no record if you are required to have a police check at home or in a foreign country. There are a lot of agencies that do this for people, in North America $500. or so. They do all the paperwork on your behalf, you just fill in forms for them. In Canada it is known as a "Federal Pardon".

As previously mentioned, drugs cases are never spent. We are talking about the UK not Canada.

Doesnt work that way in the UK, in essence your record is for life....its always there doesnt go away, certain offenses become "spent" ie legally you dont have to disclose them, however if you get a "police letter" it will be there in black and white

In the case of the OP, as been pointed out this conviction would never be considered spent in the UK, so couldnt even use that arguement

[Soutpeel]

11. According to the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E. 2522 (1979), foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter Thailand:

(1) Having no genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport without valid visa issuance by the Royal Thai Embassies, the Royal Thai Consulates-General or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with exception of those who meet visa exemption requirements. The terms and conditions of visa issuance and visa exemption are prescribed by the Ministerial Regulations.

(2) Having no appropriate means of living following entry into the Kingdom.

(3) Having entered the Kingdom to be employed as an unskilled or untrained labourer, or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.

(4) Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases stated in the Ministerial Regulations.

(5) Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox; or inoculated, or undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease; and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the Immigration Doctor.

(6) Having been imprisoned by judgment of the Thai Court; or by lawful injunction or judgment of the Court of a foreign country, except for when the penalty is for a petty offence, or negligence, or is provided for as an exception by the Ministerial Regulations.

(7) Having behaviour which could cause possible danger to the public; or having the likelihood of being a nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace, safety and security of the public or to the security of the nation; or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.

(8) Reason to believe that entry into Kingdom is for the purpose of being involved in prostitution, the trafficking of women or children, drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are against public morality.

(9) Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

(10) Being a person prohibited by the Minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

(11) Being deported by either the Government of Thailand or that of other foreign countries; or having been revoked the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries; or having been expelled from the Kingdom by competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless exemption is provided by the Minister on an individual basis.

And under the terms of paragraph 6....somehow dont think they would consider drug dealing as an exception to rule...

[simple1]

In the meantime apply for a "Pardon" in your home country for the offence/offences,, your record is then kept sealed and shows as no record if you are required to have a police check at home or in a foreign country. There are a lot of agencies that do this for people, in North America $500. or so. They do all the paperwork on your behalf, you just fill in forms for them. In Canada it is known as a "Federal Pardon".

As previously mentioned, drugs cases are never spent. We are talking about the UK not Canada.

Also the UK does not have a Statute of Limitations e.g., if you jumped bail and wish to return to the UK

[DavidJames1234]

Thank you Gentemen, this all seems very clear.

The offence was a cross border offence and thus will never be 'spent'.

So, essentially I need to stay away from jobs that require a police certficate as that would surely turn up my record and would, I assume, lead to my visa also being canclled right?

'Drug dealing' never is a term I am confortable with - I despise drugs as much as the next man and have never taken one in my life seeing the damage s does to both the individual and society. Hence why my network imported a plant(before the Britis started growing it themselves on mass), rather than more lucrative items such as drugs or arms.

Thank you for the advice.

One further point, I assume my wife will need to sponsor me also for this 'marriage' visa - will she be able to do so as she too has as foreign criminal record for the same offence (which of course is deemed more serious in Thailand than in the UK)

[Mario2008]

Strictly speaking you are not eligable for a visa to Thailand. If you ever need a police record you will mostlikely be deported given that it is a drug offense and smuggling. But normally you will not need a police certificate for a visa.

Your wife doesn't need to sponsor you, the proof of marriage is enough. On proof of your marriage the Thai consulate will issue a non-O visa based on your marriage.

Once in thailand you can apply for extensions of stay for staying with your wife if you can show an income of 40,000 baht a month or 400,000 in a bankaccount in Thailand in your name only for at least 2 months .

A multiple non-O is also possible, giving you a visa for 1 year. You have to leave the country every 90 days and by leaving and returning just before the visa expires you get another 90 days and so almost 15 months out of it.

Note that if your wife was also convicted the Thai government will be aware of this and might through her case also be aware of your conviction.

[Mario2008]

2 off topic comments deleted.

The visa section is not to place to start a discussion about drugs.

[DavidJames1234]

Strictly speaking you are not eligable for a visa to Thailand. If you ever need a police record you will mostlikely be deported given that it is a drug offense and smuggling. But normally you will not need a police certificate for a visa.

Your wife doesn't need to sponsor you, the proof of marriage is enough. On proof of your marriage the Thai consulate will issue a non-O visa based on your marriage.

Once in thailand you can apply for extensions of stay for staying with your wife if you can show an income of 40,000 baht a month or 400,000 in a bankaccount in Thailand in your name only for at least 2 months .

A multiple non-O is also possible, giving you a visa for 1 year. You have to leave the country every 90 days and by leaving and returning just before the visa expires you get another 90 days and so almost 15 months out of it.

Note that if your wife was also convicted the Thai government will be aware of this and might through her case also be aware of your conviction.

Mario, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Ok, so I will not need a police cert to get a visa, that is good to know (and adds up as there are no doubt masses of expats in Thailand with a criminal record) I know some very very dangerous men who have set up in Pattaya, indeed a famous heroin and cocaine importer who has beat two murder trails in the UK and been implemented in a number of other murders and disappearances.

I might as welll just get the visa and then get it extended based upon our marriage then, right? rather than visa runs every three months.

My wife's conviction, like mine, was a long time ago. She was convicted in Holland and served 18 months only. I was convicted in the UK and served considerably longer. Had my wife been arrested in Thailand, the outcome would have been much better as she comes from a well know family. I am 100% sure that the family will be able to sort my visa issues if asked, but that's just it - I dont want to seek their help if I can avoid it nor do I want anything to do with these visa agents (Thai and Foreign)

Thanks for the help, its appreciated.

Dave

[Soutpeel]

You wouldnt need to use a via agent,

To qualify for extension of stay for marriage there are also financial requirements as well which have to be met.

to be honest think the only way you could proceed is apply for a visa in the UK and see what happens, if you get the visa, then the first hurdle is over, then take it from there, but you would always have this hangling over your head if the Thai authorities found out, you could be booted out.

If is was just you who was convicted, dont think you would have any problems, but as "Mario" said, the Thai goverment will most likely be aware of your Mrs's conviction and if they connected the two together, may be in tricky situation

I suppose the important thing to remember is dont mention your conviction to anyone in Thailand, Thai or especially farang, as there are a lot of vindictive farangs here, who might shop you out to the authorities out of spite.

On the job front you may have to stay away from teaching english as a lot of these postions required a "police letter"

BTW out of curosity...considering the long sentences you both got...how much did you get busted with ?....Howard Marks quantities or less ?....certainly 18 months in Holland for your Mrs seems like a lot of time in country which is pretty liberal when it comes to weed

[DavidJames1234]

You wouldnt need to use a via agent,

To qualify for extension of stay for marriage there are also financial requirements as well which have to be met.

OK, great I'll just do that. The financial considerations are not an issue, I do plan on working but that's because I like to work (and it keeps me out of the pub), though I dont need to work for the money.

Ive had Non imm visas before and submitted our marriage cert (when I wanted to stay in Thailand for longer than a month) but I have never spent longer than 10 weeks in country so never needed to go down the settlement route (or whatever its called there when you get the year extension).

I guess I could be booted out but I'm well behaved and dont get in (much) trouble . Its a shame given some of the criminal scum I know are living in Thailand, the wife and I are just a couple of aging free(ish) spirits.

Yes, Thais definately know about her conviction as her father is a well known military man and he ensured no embassy taff ever visited her in Holland.

I take your point re: grasses and I'll keep it quiet. To be honest we dont talk about it much and have always kept it quiet so that shouldnt matter.Of course some family memebers in Thailand and the UK were all part of it (my Thai Mrs, male cousin and one male thai friend were all convicted, two in Holland one in the UK).

Teaching English isn't my thing anyway but I would happily do it for free in a village school or something but I am not a teacher and dont want to go back to uni so it would just be conversation assistance etc.

I was convicted, along with 5 others in possession of 354 KG in the UK having been tracked from Holland. My Mrs, a Dutch woman and Thai cousin were convicted in Holland though not in possession but fully evidenced that they had been managing the shipping and financial crimes. Wifey got 3 years and served half, cousin got the same. The dutch woman got 4 years or 5, cant quite remember. The people four other people convicted with me got between 2 and 4 years.

My Thai mate got 4 and I got 6 for this case and taking another 23 cases into consideration which we were joinly involved with.

[Soutpeel]

I was convicted, along with 5 others in possession of 354 KG in the UK having been tracked from Holland. My Mrs, a Dutch woman and Thai cousin were convicted in Holland though not in possession but fully evidenced that they had been managing the shipping and financial crimes. Wifey got 3 years and served half, cousin got the same. The dutch woman got 4 years or 5, cant quite remember. The people four other people convicted with me got between 2 and 4 years.

My Thai mate got 4 and I got 6 for this case and taking another 23 cases into consideration which we were joinly involved with.

Wow thats quite a story....should be we be referring to you as Mr Nice ?...

If you have had visa's before with no problem, can all you are trying to do is get the extension of stay, if you have the money required as indicated cant see any problems, keep your head down and get on with your life...

Which ever way it works out..best of luck

[DavidJames1234]

Thats Buddy, appreciated.

And I was tiny in comparison, hence why there were 23 other cases to take into consideration, we kept well under the radar the 354 was the biggest ever, usually keeping below the 100 mark.

And best of luck to you to, I agree.....just enjoy and get on with life.

Best

Dave

[balo]

Welcome to Thailand , just remember, never try to get invoved in the drug traffic here .

I dont understand why anyone would be tempted in the first place, even if money is the motive.

.