I am 41 yrs old and was arrested and convicted for a felony Aggravated Robbery when I was 17. Some 23 yrs ago. I have had no other convictions or arrests since that time. I served probation for that offense and got early dismissal for good behavior. I did not serve any prison time. My record has been sealed (unable to expunge) but that is irrelevant as the State Dept. will always have access to my records.

I want to go to Thailand for 2 months and I need to know if I will be denied entry? Can someone help answer this?

Nobody will do a criminal back ground check when you arrive. Only if you had an outstanding international arrest warrant would there be a problem entering the country.

I read a post of a man who even had a Thai passport and was denied and detained for having a felony on his record. Just trying to figure out what is what before I commit to tickets and all.

I think that was for a conviction here not in his home country.

Immigration has no capability to check for criminal records when entering the country.

Immigration has the capability to get them but it is a long procedure that can take weeks or longer to get them.

Would be awful to spend resources only to get turned away. Also, if I need to stay 3 months do I need a certain visa and do I get that upon arrival? I know 30 days is the limit without one.

Would be awful to spend resources only to get turned away. Also, if I need to stay 3 months do I need a certain visa and do I get that upon arrival? I know 30 days is the limit without one.

Sounds like you are from the US , generally in the West , If you committed the offence at a young age it will be kept within state , unless you commit another offence , follow Ubonjoe advise

I have tried to assure that you will not have a problem entering entering the country. There is nothing more I can say.

You should obtain a single entry tourist visa at a Thai embassy or consulate before you start your trip. The visa allows a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office.

The longest stay you can get on arrival without a visa is 30 days if you qualify for a visa exempt entry (where are you from?). If you don't have a visa or a ticket out of the country withing 30 days of arrival you can be denied boarding you flight.

Would be awful to spend resources only to get turned away. Also, if I need to stay 3 months do I need a certain visa and do I get that upon arrival? I know 30 days is the limit without one.

To stay 3 months, the simplest way would be to get a Single Entry tourist visa. It is good for 60 days, then you can extend at an immigration office in Thailand for 30 more days.

You could also reach 90 days by the use of "Visa Exempt" entries, which are given upon arrival. If you come by airplane, you will get 30 days on entry, which can be extended for 30 more days at an immigration office in Thailand. If you come by land, you will get either 15 or 30 days upon entry - G7 countries get 30 days, all others get 15 days. I am guessing you are American, so would get 30 days. If you have not been here recently (sounds as if you have never been here), you can leave to another country and come back to repeat this process one time, without any problems. The only problem comes when people try to do this many times, which is no longer permitted.

I would use the Single Entry Tourist Visa, if your departure date is not immediate. Then, there is no need to make a "border run," and no need to show your returning plane ticket upon check-in - the airlines will not allow you to board a plane for Thailand without either 1 - A Visa OR 2 - A return air-ticket dated within 30 days of your arrival.

Also (assuming USA, again), if your conviction was a "juvenille" conviction and sealed, as you suggest, this would not appear on your criminal record if a check was run. This depends on whether your conviction was "as an adult" or not. Yes, it is still "out there" if some US-govt wanted to dig - but it is not on your "official record." You should even be able to qualify for other types visas and extensions that do require a criminal background check. Per Ubon Joe (the forum expert) above, Tourist Visas do not require such a check.

Edited November 13, 201510 yr by JackThompson

Thanks Jack and ubon. That helps. I have tried to go through Canada before and they would not let me even after all this time. Every country is different I guess.

Thanks Jack and ubon. That helps. I have tried to go through Canada before and they would not let me even after all this time. Every country is different I guess.

Many Canadians are also refused entry into the U.S. for similar situations, not saying it's right, just a fact.

Thanks Jack and ubon. That helps. I have tried to go through Canada before and they would not let me even after all this time. Every country is different I guess.

I had a friend with a misdameanor DWI who had a similar experience with Canada. He was able to get in, but only after going through a special process to obtain permission in advance.

I think that was for a conviction here not in his home country.

Immigration has no capability to check for criminal records when entering the country.

Immigration has the capability to get them but it is a long procedure that can take weeks or longer to get them.

UbonJoe for the Elite Visa the website says a criminal background check is made and the decision on if the visa is approved takes a few days after applying

Either they don't really do these checks or the process is quicker than you think,

Edited November 13, 201510 yr by darrendsd

I think that was for a conviction here not in his home country.

Immigration has no capability to check for criminal records when entering the country.

Immigration has the capability to get them but it is a long procedure that can take weeks or longer to get them.

UbonJoe for the Elite Visa the website says a criminal background check is made and the decision on if the visa is approved takes a few days after applying

Either they don't really do these checks or the process is quicker than you think,

I think all they do is a back ground check for here and a perhaps international wants and warrant check through Interpol. They certainly don't do a criminal back ground check for your home country.

I think that was for a conviction here not in his home country.

Immigration has no capability to check for criminal records when entering the country.

Immigration has the capability to get them but it is a long procedure that can take weeks or longer to get them.

UbonJoe for the Elite Visa the website says a criminal background check is made and the decision on if the visa is approved takes a few days after applying

Either they don't really do these checks or the process is quicker than you think,

I think all they do is a back ground check for here and a perhaps international wants and warrant check through Interpol. They certainly don't do a criminal back ground check for your home country.

The TE site states applicants must not have a criminal conviction which has resulted in a prison sentence, the only way they could check this would be to ask your home country for your records, interesting if they do not check, I doubt they would issue a TE Visa to a convicted murderer for example

Reading the TE site I just naturally assumed they would check but maybe not

I had a felony conviction in California in 1989. That was my last criminal involvement of any kind. I first visited Thailand in 2000. I have been back many times since. Nobody ever said anything about my conviction or even asked me about anything related to criminal behavior.

No background checks on arrival, nothing to worry about, only those with International Arrest Warrants outstanding should worry.

I had a friend here that was convicted of child molestation over 20 years earlier and did his time. The government here let him teach kids. They never check on you but when the US gov. requested him be sent back to the states they shipped him off real quick even though he did nothing else wrong.

One Bashing post removed

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

Having a visa would make no difference.

Thanks Jack and ubon. That helps. I have tried to go through Canada before and they would not let me even after all this time. Every country is different I guess.

I crossed the border from Canada to America by bus, and I was asked if I had any criminal convictions. I said no, and it was accepted.

I was telling the truth, but if I did have any, I would still have said no.

I also crossed the border from Mexico in to America driving a car, I wasn't asked any questions, and the car was not even searched.

I could easily have had Mexican illegals in the car.

If you have a valid Passport with at least 6 more months remaining on it before it expires, you won't have any problems.

I suggest you contact your local Sheriff's Station or Police Department to request a background check (report) on yourself. It will cost around $50 USD, and it will show if you have a a felony conviction. I doubt it will as you were only 17 years old at the time of the offense. If you were (at least) 50 years of age and applying for an annual Retirement Visa for Thailand, that background report would be required.

Apply for a 60 day tourist visa (if still available) at the Royal Thai Consulet (Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco). Can be done by via Registered Mail. The 60 day tourist visa is extendable for an additional 30 days at any of the immigration offices here in Thailand for 1900 baht. However, the 60 day Touris Visa Program is about to end. The Thai government is about to implement a 6 month multi-entry visa. If you find you can no longer obtain the 60 day tourist visa, ask for th 6 month visa (in your home country, which I presume is the U.S.A.)

By the way, even if the felony does appear on your background report, don't worry. You U.S. Passport is the only ticket required for entry to the Kingdom of Thailand. Good luck. I doubt you will have any problems getting over here.

Would be awful to spend resources only to get turned away. Also, if I need to stay 3 months do I need a certain visa and do I get that upon arrival? I know 30 days is the limit without one.

Relax dude. I have two recent felony drug trafficking convictions not to mention a smuggeling charge in a second country in which I was imprisoned. Had many tourist visas and presently on second business visa. Relax you will be fine.

You need to get a tourist visa at the consulate or embassy in your country then get a 30 day extension before the 60 days expires

You are getting good advice here. You should have no problem. However getting into Canada is another story. They do seem to have access to about everything Homeland Security does. Make some sort of hotel reservation for your first few nights so you have something to put on the entry form. Be calm and look them in the eyes. Have fun, play safe, and fly Eva Evergreen Deluxe class for some extra comfort.

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

Bad and incorrect advice,

It would make no difference whatsoever, the OP will have no problems at all entering Thailand either on a Visa Exempt or a Tourist Visa

I have a very old criminal conviction which resulted in a short jail sentence, never have I been questioned or refused entry on the 40 plus times I have entered Thailand

OP you will have no problems whatsoever entering Thailand so nothing to worry about

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

Bad and incorrect advice,

It would make no difference whatsoever, the OP will have no problems at all entering Thailand either on a Visa Exempt or a Tourist Visa

I have a very old criminal conviction which resulted in a short jail sentence, never have I been questioned or refused entry on the 40 plus times I have entered Thailand

OP you will have no problems whatsoever entering Thailand so nothing to worry about

This is only an opinion. If I had concerns about entry into Thailand I would do my best to be sure that I could actually enter. The OP's question is a vaild question. I merely suggested one way to eliminate the worry.

Is it bad advice to cover all of your bases before you leave for your vacation?

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

Bad and incorrect advice,

It would make no difference whatsoever, the OP will have no problems at all entering Thailand either on a Visa Exempt or a Tourist Visa

I have a very old criminal conviction which resulted in a short jail sentence, never have I been questioned or refused entry on the 40 plus times I have entered Thailand

OP you will have no problems whatsoever entering Thailand so nothing to worry about

This is only an opinion. If I had concerns about entry into Thailand I would do my best to be sure that I could actually enter. The OP's question is a vaild question. I merely suggested one way to eliminate the worry.

Is it bad advice to cover all of your bases before you leave for your vacation?

He would be eligible to enter with visa exemption or a tourist visa but neither ensure you can "actually enter". No visa give the right to enter.

If I were in the OP shoes I would apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa before departing. It just makes sense to me to have a visa 'in my pocket' before leaving if there are any questions.

Bad and incorrect advice,

It would make no difference whatsoever, the OP will have no problems at all entering Thailand either on a Visa Exempt or a Tourist Visa

I have a very old criminal conviction which resulted in a short jail sentence, never have I been questioned or refused entry on the 40 plus times I have entered Thailand

OP you will have no problems whatsoever entering Thailand so nothing to worry about

This is only an opinion. If I had concerns about entry into Thailand I would do my best to be sure that I could actually enter. The OP's question is a vaild question. I merely suggested one way to eliminate the worry.

Is it bad advice to cover all of your bases before you leave for your vacation?

What difference would having a Tourist Visa make if he was going to get stopped for being a convicted felon? None whatsoever

If he was going to be stopped from entering do you think they would change their mind just because he has a TV? No of course not

Again your advice is bad advice and it would make no difference to the OP on entering, it is also bad advice as it would be a extra cost on something he doesn't need to buy and also because you have put it in the OP head that there could be a issue when countless other posters have told him there will not be,

Buying a TV beforehand does not guarantee entry into Thailand by the way, entry is at the discretion of Immigration in Thailand, not the Embassy where you apply for your visa