Hi I'm thinking of living in thailand in a few years with my Thai wife who also has British citizenship, I have a daughter who is 10 and registered as Thai. I am worried my simple police caution obtained last year will affect my ability to live and work in Thailand. I have heard marriage extensions can be renewed in Thailand and in Thailand do not require crimina l record checks. I am also considering applying for citizenship, does this seem outrageous? I am aware many sites on the Internet say absolutely 'no criminal record' however my caution is not recognized as a conviction in the UK. Also I am aware the immigration act of Thailand stipulates refusal grounds of minor offences due to negligence will still be considered (immigration act of Thailand by the Thai king). I am worried that my time in Thailand may be cut short if so what can i do to rectify this. I also am able to work in a a prominent Thai business and fit many, if not all of the financial requirements. Would my application be any easier under the investor scheme? I will be studying for my degree over the next two years, will this help once i obtain it? I am also aware that for the UK for example time spent with a clean record after the offence occured allow those wishing to apply for British citizenship to do so successfully after a period of time. Is this the case in Thailand? I guess what I'd like to find out is it completely unheard of for foreigners to obtain thai residency or even citizenship with a police caution or other minor offences? I'm sure they are rare if any but I would like to think there still may be some hope. I would even consider re applying for citizenship in 10 or even 20 years time! Any inforation would be appretiated, thanks.

Immigration_Act.pdf

Edited June 21, 201511 yr by Corriander Boy

Your minor offense will not be a problem for living here. There are probably many that have been here for several years with one.

Other than an OA visa for retirement there is no back ground check needed needed to get a visa.. For am extension of stay they are also not needed.

For a permanent residency there is back ground check needed.needed but your offense should not effect it being approved.

For a citizenship application their is not background check needed.

You a minor offense will not be a problem for living here. There are probably many that have been here for several years with one.

Other than an OA visa for retirement there is no back ground check needed needed to get a visa.. For am extension of stay they are also not needed.

For a permanent residency there is back ground check needed.needed but your offense should not effect it being approved.

For a citizenship application their is not background check needed.

Thanks for the information, I've been scouring this site and many others to find solutions to my problem, I'm 29, 30 this year so retirement is out of the picture. If I was to retire here (20 years down the line) how would I not go abouts getting and OA visa? Would it still mean I would need to just get a Marriage extension.

You a minor offense will not be a problem for living here. There are probably many that have been here for several years with one.

Other than an OA visa for retirement there is no back ground check needed needed to get a visa.. For am extension of stay they are also not needed.

For a permanent residency there is back ground check needed.needed but your offense should not effect it being approved.

For a citizenship application their is not background check needed.

Thanks for the information, I've been scouring this site and many others to find solutions to my problem, I'm 29, 30 this year so retirement is out of the picture. If I was to retire here (20 years down the line) how would I not go abouts getting and OA visa? Would it still mean I would need to just get a Marriage extension.

Maybe ask again in about 18 year, I'm sure a lot will be different from now.

You a minor offense will not be a problem for living here. There are probably many that have been here for several years with one.

Other than an OA visa for retirement there is no back ground check needed needed to get a visa.. For am extension of stay they are also not needed.

For a permanent residency there is back ground check needed.needed but your offense should not effect it being approved.

For a citizenship application their is not background check needed.

Citizenship application -no background check? I am thinking of this route then, I suppose that is with the addition of 10 million baht investment in real estate or business right?

Investment does no lead to citizenship, they want you to work and in that way be a contributor to Thai society. The system is not set-up to consider someone who only invests. They want you to work, have a high education and earn a lot of money.

Yes im aware the job must be approved. As stated it would be in a job in a business not of my own but a thai owned business far exceeding the agreed quota of thai to foreign workers. Also there is the ability to invest 10 million baht into a business into a bureau of investor approved new project. Previously I believe the minimum for investment visas/permits was less 3 million baht; closer to the amount you suggested (a couple million). However the 10 million doesn't have to be a business investment it may be real estate also. But as I said I don't have that sort of money by any measure yet. As this real estate website suggests the minimum figure is defiantly 10 million. http://phuketbuyhouse.com/article/175-thailand-s-new-investment-immigration-policy-attracting-fresh-investors

Edited June 21, 201511 yr by Corriander Boy

You don't need to worry about an investment visa and extension You can apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage, get a work permit and work.

Since you are married to a Thai you can apply for citizenship based upon that. You just need to be working, and paying taxes with a minimum salary of 40k baht for 3 years. It can be working for you own company there is no rule that say you have to be working for somebody else.

If you were not married you have to first obtain permanent residency and then after 5 years you could apply for citizenship..

Posts meant to disrupt the discussion (troll) have been removed that also contained false and misleading information have been removed.

Thanks so much for your replies Joe have been banging my head against a wall trying to figure out my options and your suggestions have been most helpful. I have also read I can also have 400 000 deposited in a thai bank 2 months before I get the extension or the 40k per month.

http://pattayatoday.net/property-business/legal-advice/marriage-visa-in-thailand-2/ links here if useful to anyone

My Wife's coming back from chiang mai in a few days and her mum and aunt and uncle are visitting so i best be on my best behaviour as her aunt is a very big business owner in CM and has helped us out a great deal. Things are still tied up over here atm no pun intended but if i ever get out there your welcome to drop by and visit. Kop Khun mahk krap

Investment does no lead to citizenship, they want you to work and in that way be a contributor to Thai society. The system is not set-up to consider someone who only invests. They want you to work, have a high education and earn a lot of money.

and have "good standing" in the community of course

There is lots of info abut getting extension of stay based upon marriage on this forum.

My comment about working was for the info, It did not mean you have to be working to get the extension.

Of course essentially it all depends on social status and money. My intention is not going to be to instigate riots or anything of the sort I intend to work and support my family with everything above board and proper.

A off topic unhelpful post has been removed.

There are background checks for Thai citizenship but they are all done locally and no police clearance from your home country is required. That means that an overseas offence would probably have have to serious enough to be on file at the Thai Interpol liaison office to be a problem. You do need a home country police clearance for PR but a police caution would not be mentioned. Anyway, since you have a Thai wife, you would be eligible to apply for Thai citizenship directly without getting PR first. You would need to be living and working in Thailand for 3 complete calendar years earning a salary of least B40,000 a month to qualify. Then the process takes a few years during which time you have to remain in employment in Thailand.

It is not easy to obtain permanent resident status or citizenship. You need to find someone who has done it and talk to him. It takes a long time. You have to read and write Thai. Give it a try but don’t think that it is going to be like getting a visa. You don’t just walk in with your papers and walk out with a smile.

There are background checks for Thai citizenship but they are all done locally and no police clearance from your home country is required. That means that an overseas offence would probably have have to serious enough to be on file at the Thai Interpol liaison office to be a problem. You do need a home country police clearance for PR but a police caution would not be mentioned. Anyway, since you have a Thai wife, you would be eligible to apply for Thai citizenship directly without getting PR first. You would need to be living and working in Thailand for 3 complete calendar years earning a salary of least B40,000 a month to qualify. Then the process takes a few years during which time you have to remain in employment in Thailand.

Thanks for that info. As stated If i need to get residancy I will opt for citizenship as I'm aware the police acro database will mention any caution on file until you reach 100! I doubt my caution will be on Interpol however ? anyway i will enquire about citizenship for sure but have read in chiang mai out a thousand apps only 1 had been granted. Crazy ?

Edited June 22, 201511 yr by Corriander Boy

You don't need to worry about an investment visa and extension You can apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage, get a work permit and work.

Since you are married to a Thai you can apply for citizenship based upon that. You just need to be working, and paying taxes with a minimum salary of 40k baht for 3 years. It can be working for you own company there is no rule that say you have to be working for somebody else.

If you were not married you have to first obtain permanent residency and then after 5 years you could apply for citizenship..

Your phrase "Since you are married to a Thai you can apply for citizenship based upon that" is interesting.

1. Is citizenship possible for a retired person?
2. What is the difference between a retired person applying for citizenship and a married, retired person applying for citizenship?

You don't need to worry about an investment visa and extension You can apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage, get a work permit and work.

Since you are married to a Thai you can apply for citizenship based upon that. You just need to be working, and paying taxes with a minimum salary of 40k baht for 3 years. It can be working for you own company there is no rule that say you have to be working for somebody else.

If you were not married you have to first obtain permanent residency and then after 5 years you could apply for citizenship..

Your phrase "Since you are married to a Thai you can apply for citizenship based upon that" is interesting.

1. Is citizenship possible for a retired person?
2. What is the difference between a retired person applying for citizenship and a married, retired person applying for citizenship?

1. If retired you would not be working here and that is one of the requirements I mentioned.

2. If not married to a Thai you would have to apply for permanent residency which requires that you be working here also and then after it is approved and you have been on it for 5 years then you could apply for citizenship.

Hi Joe, may I ask what status you have aquired reguarding your Thai residency? Do you currently have a permit?

Just on extensions of stay based upon marriage (7 of them) since I am not working here.

Nice, good to know that option is available.

Dear Ubonjoe,

I wonder if you could advise me. I have had PR for 12 years. But two years ago i quit work at age 52 and am not working presently. I am married, have children, and am wondering how the authorities would view a citizenship application. I have time on my hands to go through the process of citizenship and indeed would fulfil all criteria except for the stumbling block of work. Your opinion of my chances would be valuable. Thx.

Dear Ubonjoe,

I wonder if you could advise me. I have had PR for 12 years. But two years ago i quit work at age 52 and am not working presently. I am married, have children, and am wondering how the authorities would view a citizenship application. I have time on my hands to go through the process of citizenship and indeed would fulfil all criteria except for the stumbling block of work. Your opinion of my chances would be valuable. Thx.

You have to be working on the date you apply for citizenship and continue working until it is granted.

Past employment does not count.

Just on extensions of stay based upon marriage (7 of them) since I am not working here.

Is that 7 marriages or 7 extensions