retirement visa with criminal record

[timefortea]

We all do silly things only some of us get caught.35 years ago as a young man I got myself on trouble with the law and ended up with a criminal record....I'm from the UK. Will this preclude me from ever getting a Thai retirement visa ??? Thankyou all

[WitawatWatawit]

I have no idea about the UK, but in some countries, a 10-20 year rule applies if the original offence does not fall into certain categories. That is, for most offences, if you haven't re-offended within a specified time, say like 10 or 20 years, then you are generally ok. Your record is not held against you.

Would like to hear what more knowledgable people have to say about this.

[CBR250]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

[Pralaad]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

Thai embassy has given you false information .

In Australia , criminal records are clearer after 10 years.

Also on visa application it asks for criminal conviction in the past 10 years , even if you have , they do not check at all

[CBR250]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

Thai embassy has given you false information .

In Australia , criminal records are clearer after 10 years.

Also on visa application it asks for criminal conviction in the past 10 years , even if you have , they do not check at all

I can assure you that criminal records are NOT cleared in Australia. Ever. On the visa application for retirement in Australia they do not ask about convictions in past 10 years. They ask for a police clearance. If you don't provide the clearance they will not issue a retirement visa.

[Jingthing]

You do know you don't even NEED to apply for an O-A visa (often called retirement visa) to retire in Thailand? A police record report is needed for an O-A visa application in your home country.

However, for applying for annual retirement extensions in Thailand, NOT needed. So avoid the O-A. Sorted.

To emphasize again, retirement visa/O-A visa NEVER required.

Now for those who are wanted fugitives ... please don't come, OK?

Also if your conviction was for something like drug dealing or sex offenses ... of course there is nothing stopping Thai authorities in Thailand maybe finding that out somehow and deciding they don't want you anyway even without a required police record report. Perhaps some others can advise on that ... but of course it would depend on the old offense and I wouldn't expect you to spill details on a forum like this.

[Pralaad]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

Thai embassy has given you false information .

In Australia , criminal records are clearer after 10 years.

Also on visa application it asks for criminal conviction in the past 10 years , even if you have , they do not check at all

I can assure you that criminal records are NOT cleared in Australia. Ever. On the visa application for retirement in Australia they do not ask about convictions in past 10 years. They ask for a police clearance. If you don't provide the clearance they will not issue a retirement visa.

I can assure you, criminal records are cleared or sealed(whatever term you like to use)This i know for a fact because i have one and it was little more serious than drink driving or drugs or fraud.

Have not applied for retirement visa but for non b, they ONLY had a question and visa issued within 48 hours, unless it has all changed now,

[Pattaya Lous]

You should declare, if you don't and a retirement visa is granted and it is later discovered that your criminal record was for Violence, Sex Offences or Drugs then if you are lucky you will be deported but you will loose everything that you have invested in Thailand the authorities will take it all away and there is little that you will be able to do.

Don't listen to people who say "they never check" Thai officials are not stupid people.

You may upset somebody or a jealous person who knows you and he or she will then inform the authorities and you will loose everything. Do you want to be waiting for that knock on the door.

But if you are a hardened criminal and you don't care less then maybe you are not welcome here anyway.

Thousands of expats have a good life here in Thailand and many of us are enjoying our retirement years after surviving a long and hard working life. Why do we need criminals amongst us?

[Pattaya Lous]

Sorry, also I very much resent you saying “we all do silly things only some of us get caught.” because we don’t !!

[Pattszero]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

Thai embassy has given you false information .

In Australia , criminal records are clearer after 10 years.

Also on visa application it asks for criminal conviction in the past 10 years , even if you have , they do not check at all

I can assure you that criminal records are NOT cleared in Australia. Ever. On the visa application for retirement in Australia they do not ask about convictions in past 10 years. They ask for a police clearance. If you don't provide the clearance they will not issue a retirement visa.

I can assure you, criminal records are cleared or sealed(whatever term you like to use)This i know for a fact because i have one and it was little more serious than drink driving or drugs or fraud.

Have not applied for retirement visa but for non b, they ONLY had a question and visa issued within 48 hours, unless it has all changed now,

I can guarantee you that they are not cleared in the UK. People get this confused all the time -

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act means that for the some purposes, your previous convictions are regarded as spent.

The Disclosure Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service for an explanation -

Means that your previous convictions can be considered at any time when applying for sensitive positions, such as working with vulnerable adults etc.

Until the day you die, your criminal convictions will be kept on file in the UK.

[Pralaad]

I can guarantee you that they are not cleared in the UK. People get this confused all the time -

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act means that for the some purposes, your previous convictions are regarded as spent.

The Disclosure Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service for an explanation -

Means that your previous convictions can be considered at any time when applying for sensitive positions, such as working with vulnerable adults etc.

Until the day you die, your criminal convictions will be kept on file in the UK.

Well thank you for your guarantee. ONLY cbr and i were not discussing what happens in UK, it helps to read occasionally

[Jingthing]

You should declare, if you don't and a retirement visa is granted and it is later discovered that your criminal record was for Violence, Sex Offences or Drugs then if you are lucky you will be deported but you will loose everything that you have invested in Thailand the authorities will take it all away and there is little that you will be able to do.

Don't listen to people who say "they never check" Thai officials are not stupid people.

You may upset somebody or a jealous person who knows you and he or she will then inform the authorities and you will loose everything. Do you want to be waiting for that knock on the door.

But if you are a hardened criminal and you don't care less then maybe you are not welcome here anyway.

Thousands of expats have a good life here in Thailand and many of us are enjoying our retirement years after surviving a long and hard working life. Why do we need criminals amongst us?

I think that's over the top. In the first place, we don't know the offenses. Secondly, it doesn't seem clear to me people on retirement extensions are subject to deportation based on previous offenses where time has been served. Also, criminal and an EX-CON are not the same thing. You speak with emotion, but do you know the FACTS on these matters, because I have my doubts.

[Pralaad]

You should declare, if you don't and a retirement visa is granted and it is later discovered that your criminal record was for Violence, Sex Offences or Drugs then if you are lucky you will be deported but you will loose everything that you have invested in Thailand the authorities will take it all away and there is little that you will be able to do.

Don't listen to people who say "they never check" Thai officials are not stupid people.

You may upset somebody or a jealous person who knows you and he or she will then inform the authorities and you will loose everything. Do you want to be waiting for that knock on the door.

But if you are a hardened criminal and you don't care less then maybe you are not welcome here anyway.

Thousands of expats have a good life here in Thailand and many of us are enjoying our retirement years after surviving a long and hard working life. Why do we need criminals amongst us?

Sorry, also I very much resent you saying we all do silly things only some of us get caught. because we dont !![/size]

One thing is posting your opinion, another posting your opinion as a fact.

You got any evidence to back up anything you said?

Some of us live a life and some hide under the rock.

And by the way, if you ever crossed the road NOT at the lights or zebra crossing, you have broken the law

[timefortea]

Thankyou for your replies...I'd like to believe in forgiveness and redemption...I apologise if I unintentionally tarred others with my brush twas not my intention.

[Satcommlee]

There are three types of police checks in UK.

NACPO (National association of chief police officers) and almost everything stays on record apart from very minor offences that are stepped down.

Subject Access Request (Made to police), and again everything stays on record

CRB (Disclosure Scotland), where the rehabilitation of offenders act applies.

Usually for immigration purposes the first is required (NACPO), so your offence may still be listed.

However you have been given great advice here and that is not to apply for the O-A visa in UK, and just come and apply for the retirement extension in country and no Police check is required.

[Jingthing]

That is the key here.
The OP does not need to ever file police record report to retire in Thailand using annual retirement extensions.

He never needs an O-A visa. Period.
The issue here is whether he will need to WORRY after retiring here (using annual retirement extensions) that his paid for record will be investigated by Thai immigration and whether he will then be kicked out of Thailand.

Does anyone know ... because that's really the question.

He will not have broken any laws by doing retirement extensions that way. There is nothing he will be signing claiming he has no previous criminal record, no space on the form to confess it, and no required police record form to file.

Again, of course, active fugitives a totally different story.

[Pralaad]

Thankyou for your replies...I'd like to believe in forgiveness and redemption...I apologise if I unintentionally tarred others with my brush twas not my intention.

Have a chat in your local cop shop or may be a lawyer.

From my knowledge and experience in Australia and i doubt UK will be much different.

After 10 years your record is cleared or another term used is sealed, which basically means if someone runs a check it is cleared, and can not be accessed without a court order.

In Australia, i can apply for gun license or security license or to police force after 10 years.

All applications usually say "in the past 10 years" , it is because they can not access sealed records and obtaining visa is NOT sufficient enough reason to unseal your records after the 10 years.

You will also note the questions asked are "have you been convicted or incarcerated", so the 10 years runs from the date of conviction, not the charge

[Satcommlee]

That is the key here.

The OP does not need to ever file police record report to retire in Thailand using annual retirement extensions.

He never needs an O-A visa. Period.

The issue here is whether he will need to WORRY after retiring here (using annual retirement extensions) that his paid for record will be investigated by Thai immigration and whether he will then be kicked out of Thailand.

Does anyone know ... because that's really the question.

He will not have broken any laws by doing retirement extensions that way. There is nothing he will be signing claiming he has no previous criminal record.

Again, of course, active fugitives a totally different story.

I have no experience of retirement visas... but I think Jingting is right..

Personally for work permits, family visas and some special licences.. I have never once been asked if I have a criminal record, or made to sign any sort of declaration to that effect.

edit: This is not Australia or USA

[Pralaad]

That is the key here.

The OP does not need to ever file police record report to retire in Thailand using annual retirement extensions.

He never needs an O-A visa. Period.

The issue here is whether he will need to WORRY after retiring here (using annual retirement extensions) that his paid for record will be investigated by Thai immigration and whether he will then be kicked out of Thailand.

Does anyone know ... because that's really the question.

He will not have broken any laws by doing retirement extensions that way. There is nothing he will be signing claiming he has no previous criminal record, no space on the form to confess it, and no required police record form to file.

Again, of course, active fugitives a totally different story.

Thai police or immigration have no access to other countries data records.

Christ, they do not even linked in their own country.

If OP is NOT convict on the run or charged but escaped and is not wanted by his home country, Thai authorities will never check or bother.

It is only when home country informs Thai authorities is when they start to look.

[paz]

You should declare, if you don't and a retirement visa is granted and it is later discovered that your criminal record was for Violence, Sex Offences or Drugs then if you are lucky you will be deported but you will loose everything that you have invested in Thailand the authorities will take it all away and there is little that you will be able to do.

Don't listen to people who say "they never check" Thai officials are not stupid people.

You may upset somebody or a jealous person who knows you and he or she will then inform the authorities and you will loose everything. Do you want to be waiting for that knock on the door.

But if you are a hardened criminal and you don't care less then maybe you are not welcome here anyway.

Thousands of expats have a good life here in Thailand and many of us are enjoying our retirement years after surviving a long and hard working life. Why do we need criminals amongst us?

When one needs a good example for "scaremonging", above laughable posting will help.

[Pattszero]

I can guarantee you that they are not cleared in the UK. People get this confused all the time -

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act means that for the some purposes, your previous convictions are regarded as spent.

The Disclosure Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service for an explanation -

Means that your previous convictions can be considered at any time when applying for sensitive positions, such as working with vulnerable adults etc.

Until the day you die, your criminal convictions will be kept on file in the UK.

Well thank you for your guarantee. ONLY cbr and i were not discussing what happens in UK, it helps to read occasionally

The OP is British - my post is on topic.

Something you should try at some point.

[Pralaad]

I can guarantee you that they are not cleared in the UK. People get this confused all the time -

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act means that for the some purposes, your previous convictions are regarded as spent.

The Disclosure Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service for an explanation -

Means that your previous convictions can be considered at any time when applying for sensitive positions, such as working with vulnerable adults etc.

Until the day you die, your criminal convictions will be kept on file in the UK.

Well thank you for your guarantee. ONLY cbr and i were not discussing what happens in UK, it helps to read occasionally:thumbsup:

The OP is British - my post is on topic.

Something you should try at some point.

I was raised with manners, NOT to butt into other people conversations with unrelated crap, you should try to learn some.

Again for the slow ones, cbr and i were discussing Australia NOT uk,

If you had something useful to say regarding to OP(mind you, your link and post is irrelevant, you should read before you post) then you do not quote other peoples conversation

[Pattszero]

I can guarantee you that they are not cleared in the UK. People get this confused all the time -

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act means that for the some purposes, your previous convictions are regarded as spent.

The Disclosure Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service for an explanation -

Means that your previous convictions can be considered at any time when applying for sensitive positions, such as working with vulnerable adults etc.

Until the day you die, your criminal convictions will be kept on file in the UK.

Well thank you for your guarantee. ONLY cbr and i were not discussing what happens in UK, it helps to read occasionally:thumbsup:

The OP is British - my post is on topic.

Something you should try at some point.

I was raised with manners, NOT to butt into other people conversations with unrelated crap, you should try to learn some.

Again for the slow ones, cbr and i were discussing Australia NOT uk,

If you had something useful to say regarding to OP(mind you, your link and post is irrelevant, you should read before you post) then you do not quote other peoples conversation

Now, now - don't be rude.

You were gibbering about Australian requirements in response to a British question.

The OP now knows the state of play in regards to the UK. If you feel the need to answer the question in regards to Australia - go start a new thread.

But maybe first sit on the naughty step for a few minutes.

[Pralaad]

Now, now - don't be rude.

You were gibbering about Australian requirements in response to a British question.

The OP now knows the state of play in regards to the UK. If you feel the need to answer the question in regards to Australia - go start a new thread.

But maybe first sit on the naughty step for a few minutes.

Third time, cbr and me were discussing Australia. If you have a problem with that, you do not quote our conversation.

It really is not so hard to comprehend

Now for the second time, your link is totally useless to OP, again for the second time, read before you post.

And lastly since you missed it the first few times and have no knowledge on the matter.

After certain period of time criminal records are cleared(sealed) which means no company can r access it after 10 years(In Australia i am certain about the same in UK), it is no longer on public record.

For someone wanting to access it after its been cleared(sealed) they need to have a good enough reason and in most cases court order.

Good enough reason would be if you were a suspect in a crime or were applying for a job at MI6 or something like that. Visa is NOT a good enough reason.

Loan application, and many other forms have a question about criminal past, this questions always have a time frame. Last 5 years or last 10 years or last 7 years.

The reason why they have the time frame is because they can not check past that time frame, and they can not check past that time frame because your records are cleared(sealed) after that time frame.

I can only prey you can process all of the above and stop giving out advice without any knowledge on the subject

[Pattszero]

^^ Once again - I answered the OP in regards to the UK regulation - totally on topic. The link explains when an old conviction can still be held against you. It is the exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

One of us answered a question that the OP asked - and one of us went off on a irrelevant side track followed by a hissy fit.

Off to the naughty step with you - and take cbr with you.

[Pattaya Lous]

Whilst you are all arguing amongst yourselves and inadvertently helping somebody with a criminal record (fact) but for what offence you do not know, please take care when giving advice on how to manipulate the system and obtain a retirement visa, ask any immigration officer do you need to declare criminal convictions (on topic not scaremongering) what do you think his answer will be?

The application in England specifically asks do you have any criminal convictions not what year it says do you have any criminal convictions (still on topic here).

What I am saying is let the authorities decide that is why they are there in position to keep out undesirables out (fact with emotion).

Look from a different angle: If it was a pop star from the Glam Rock Era of the early 70s or a TV presenter from the late 60s and you knew they had criminal convictions would you still be helping them to obtain a retirement visa with the chance that they could be moving in next door to you and your family (now speaking with emotion again).

I do have strong feelings on this subject and I would not want a person with criminal convictions living anywhere near me.

For your info crossing the road in the wrong place would not give you a criminal record or a criminal conviction so that comment was totally irrelevant.

Let the authorities decide.

[simple1]

Probably, yes. I was told by the Thai Embassy in Sydney that even a 40 year old record for minor crimes led to rejection for a retirement visa. You need to get a clean bill of health from your home nation's police.

I believe there are other ways (aside for the obvious one of getting an ed visa) to get a long term visa. I hope some of TVs resident experts jump in and give you some pointers.

Thai embassy has given you false information .

In Australia , criminal records are clearer after 10 years.

Also on visa application it asks for criminal conviction in the past 10 years , even if you have , they do not check at all

In Australia criminal record is not automatically treated as 'spent', you have to make application to a Court. Legal detail at URL below.

http://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/InformationAboutTheLaw/crime/criminalrecords/Pages/CriminalRecords.aspx

AS JT clearly stated, in the case of the OP, obtain an 'O' visa & then apply for retirement extention in Thailand, no police clearance certificate required.

[Jingthing]

Whilst you are all arguing amongst yourselves and inadvertently helping somebody with a criminal record (fact) but for what offence you do not know, please take care when giving advice on how to manipulate the system and obtain a retirement visa, ask any immigration officer do you need to declare criminal convictions (on topic not scaremongering) what do you think his answer will be?

The application in England specifically asks do you have any criminal convictions not what year it says do you have any criminal convictions (still on topic here).

What I am saying is let the authorities decide that is why they are there in position to keep out undesirables out (fact with emotion).

Look from a different angle: If it was a pop star from the Glam Rock Era of the early 70s or a TV presenter from the late 60s and you knew they had criminal convictions would you still be helping them to obtain a retirement visa with the chance that they could be moving in next door to you and your family (now speaking with emotion again).

I do have strong feelings on this subject and I would not want a person with criminal convictions living anywhere near me.

For your info crossing the road in the wrong place would not give you a criminal record or a criminal conviction so that comment was totally irrelevant.

Let the authorities decide.

This is a visa advise forum. The advise to avoid O-A visas (always only an option for those retiring in Thailand) is very standard stuff here and given for many diverse scenarios. As far as demonizing everyone with a criminal record of any kind no matter how long ago, that's your prerogative.

[ubonjoe]

The OP has a duplicate topic here: retirement visa with criminal record

Since this one has evolved into a lot of nonsense and bickering posts it is now closed.