Hi there. I'm in the process of doing the on immigrant O-A visa. One of the things we have to obtain is a criminal record. Wow. Didn't think it was going to be this difficult. I thought just walk into the local police station and get a print out.

I just found out that I have to submit a finger print image and request it from way up north in Sacramento. wow.

I know I have to do an O-A visa. There's no way around that for a reason.

Did you by any chance obtain criminal record other ways?

thanx

BEER

Just got my medical record and a bank statement today. Thought this was going to be a walk in the park.

Two questions. Is there a reason you can't just get the O-A and extension in Thailand?

Second. Who did you ask for your criminal record? I can walk into the Oregon State Police office, give them $10 and walk out with a national NICS report. I can walk into a gun dealer, all of whom are hooked up to get those and pay them $20 and walk out with a NICS.

IIRC I didn't need a background check when I got my O-A in Thailand, but someone will be along to tell you the current situation.

You cannot get an O-A Visa in Thailand (or any visa for that matter) visas are issued by Thai Embassies and Consulates overseas, all you can get when in Thailand is an extension of stay

The OP should try and get a "local criminal records check" at his local Sheriffs office or police department. There is no requirement to obtain a full blown criminal records check just a letter from a law enforcement agency stating that you have no record in their files, so fingerprint cards and NCIC checks are way overboard

You cannot get a NCIC (National Crime Information Center) from a gun dealer. They will input your pedigree into a data base and all that will come back will be a YES or NO and a number which they will enter into their sales book so certify that they checked prior to selling you a gun

Obtaining any records from the NCIC that is not for legitimate law enforcement or security purposes can result in criminal charges. A civilian cannot access the NCIC database on his or her own legally.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_5749635_check-ncic-records.html

The only problem I foresee for the OP is the Los Angeles Consulates' requirement that you have this criminal records check notarized

You cannot get an O-A Visa in Thailand (or any visa for that matter) visas are issued by Thai Embassies and Consulates overseas, all you can get when in Thailand is an extension of stay

The OP should try and get a "local criminal records check" at his local Sheriffs office or police department. There is no requirement to obtain a full blown criminal records check just a letter from a law enforcement agency stating that you have no record in their files, so fingerprint cards and NCIC checks are way overboard

You cannot get a NCIC (National Crime Information Center) from a gun dealer. They will input your pedigree into a data base and all that will come back will be a YES or NO and a number which they will enter into their sales book so certify that they checked prior to selling you a gun

Obtaining any records from the NCIC that is not for legitimate law enforcement or security purposes can result in criminal charges. A civilian cannot access the NCIC database on his or her own legally.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_5749635_check-ncic-records.html

The only problem I foresee for the OP is the Los Angeles Consulates' requirement that you have this criminal records check notarized

OK, it's been about 3 years since I did it, but I arrived from the US visa exempt, went straight to immigration and converted to a non-O. I also got a 30 day extension. From there I jumped through the hoops getting ready to get the retirement extension when not more than 30 days but not less than 15 days were left on my 90 days.

So if you can't get any kind of visa in Thailand, things have changed.

I don't recall needing a criminal background check when getting the non-O or extension of stay within Thailand. I'm wondering if he could avoid it altogether. ??

As for NICS, you're misreading it.

"Obtaining any records from the NCIC that is not for legitimate law enforcement or security purposes can result in criminal charges. A civilian cannot access the NCIC database on his or her own legally."

Has to do with anyone including a police officer using it to spy on someone without an official reason, or for other non-legitimate purposes. In this case there would be a "legitimate security purpose."

The OP DOES know that he does not need to ever get an O-A visa to retire (or do a "long stay" if you prefer) in Thailand, right?

Just checking.

Other fully legal paths to retire/"long stay" in Thailand using annual retirement extensions obtained in Thailand (which O-A starting people eventually use as well) do not require any police or medical form.

Cheers.

You can get an FBI criminal background check by mail. I did it from Thailand. I downloaded the fingerprint card from the website, got fingerprinted at the local police station for 50 baht and sent it of. Here's the info:http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/submitting-an-identity-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

They never did debit the $18 from my credit card.

Edited July 8, 201412 yr by wayned

Hi.

I just got my retirement Visa locally here in Pattaya.

No medical check.

No criminal record check.

First they converted my tourist Visa to an O Visa - 2000 baht.

Then they issued me a retirement Visa 1900 baht.

The only document they needed to see was an affidavit from my embassy(Canadian) that I have a pension of more than 60K/month.

The American embassy will do the same.

It was quick and simple.It was ready the next day after 10 AM

If I tried to get the visa from Canada I would have needed the criminal record check and medical check

Hi.

I just got my retirement Visa locally here in Pattaya.

No medical check.

No criminal record check.

First they converted my tourist Visa to an O Visa - 2000 baht.

Then they issued me a retirement Visa 1900 baht.

The only document they needed to see was an affidavit from my embassy(Canadian) that I have a pension of more than 60K/month.

The American embassy will do the same.

It was quick and simple.It was ready the next day after 10 AM

If I tried to get the visa from Canada I would have needed the criminal record check and medical check

Yes, as I said, there is no O-A visa from the home country ever required.

Some people get an O visa instead from their home country or a third country instead of the "conversion to O" you did, which BTW, is not offered in ALL immigration offices in Thailand.

The second step you got was an annual extension based on retirement. It was not a retirement visa (or really any kind of visa).

Edited July 9, 201412 yr by Jingthing

I don't think some people have read this sentence on the OP. "I know I have to do an O-A visa. There's no way around that for a reason."

He apparently is aware that he could get an extension but there are reasons he can't.

I had a look on the website for getting criminal background check and it does not appear to be that hard to get done and can be done in as little as 3 days.

See: http://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/security

I don't think some people have read this sentence on the OP. "I know I have to do an O-A visa. There's no way around that for a reason."

He apparently is aware that he could get an extension but there are reasons he can't.

I had a look on the website for getting criminal background check and it does not appear to be that hard to get done and can be done in as little as 3 days.

See: http://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/security

Oh, I see that now. The line about "there's no way around that for a reason" does indicate awareness of other options that he has rejected.

Cheers.

Edited July 9, 201412 yr by Jingthing