Can a person with a past criminal record apply for a marriage visa in Thailand?

Thailand marriage visa Thai immigration criminal record checks expats in Thailand visa application process NON-O visa expungement of criminal records

Nov 20, 2024

15 hours ago

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Well I never expected that 45 years later I would have a problem with my past. I am married to a Thai woman and want to move permanently to Thailand yet everywhere I look must not have a criminal record

 Is there any help for me?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user expressed concerns about moving permanently to Thailand due to a past criminal record from 45 years ago. Responses from the community clarified that the marriage visa (Non-O visa) does not typically require a criminal record check. Users suggested alternatives, like expunging the record, and many shared experiences indicating that minor convictions, especially from many years ago, are unlikely to affect visa applications. It was noted that many expats, regardless of their past, find ways to live in Thailand without issues related to previous legal troubles.

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Det *******

Use a Non immigrant O type education visa (no criminal record check) to come in on, then after a year or two convert to a Non-O retirement.

8 hours ago

Brandon ************

@Det ******

there's no criminal record check for non-O retirement visa either. So why waste time and money?

7 hours ago

Det *******

@Brandon ***********

Then I don’t understand what the issue is for the OP.

7 hours ago

Brandon ************

@Det ******

exactly

7 hours ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Andy **********

Same in Australia, and US, and others. Usually relative to sentence is it not?

8 hours ago

Mary ********

I don't recall it even being a question nor having to get any police clearances for our non-O retirement visa. (They did need that when I immigrated to Australia - the process for Thailand was easier)

8 hours ago

Peter *******

Thailand love people with criminal records, come on down

9 hours ago

Jeff *********

Never heard of a criminal background check before, are you sure?

10 hours ago

Bradley *********

@William ************

just apply for the married visa once you get here. I was never asked for a police background check. I’ve been here for a couple decades and a police background check has never comeup. Although I’ve never been arrested, I know it’s not a requirement if you apply in country.

10 hours ago

Bradley *********

You’re fine. All of us old time expats are well aware that there’s a farang living here who murdered his mother in a heinous way. As if there’s any other way? It was so brutal how he did it. He served his time, got released and moved to Thailand. The Thai authorities and immigration know all about the killing and all us expats know about it too. He even bottled some guy in bar here a few years back. He still gets his visa extension approved year after year. We avoid him like the plague.

10 hours ago

Jacob ********

@Bradley ********

One of the numerous reasons I avoid most NOT ALL foreigners here like the plague. Too many with very shady backgrounds just wander right on in. It has been going on for decades.

8 hours ago

Reply to

Jacob ********

Ronald *****

You just don't declare, thai side won't go n check if you got any records

10 hours ago

Neale *********

Might be a blessing in disguise!!

11 hours ago

David ******

Did you do FBI check or local? When I was adopting I wrote down a disorderly conduct charge. There was absolutely no record of it anywhere. Took me more effort to explain why there was no record of it, I had to get affidavits from city and state saying they could not find a criminal record. Moral of the story don't disclose frivolous stuff, especially if you had no conviction on a misdemeanor 🤣.

12 hours ago

Kevin ********

I was a convicted felon,marijuana. I had no problem with marriage or visas.

13 hours ago

Trevor ********************

@Kevin *******

How shocking to even think of marijuana getting someone a felony in 2024. What was our government thinking? Glad all goes well for you.

10 hours ago

Kevin ********

@Trevor *******************

It was many years ago. Cost me my home and helped to kill my marriage. Now they charge me 125$ a year to do the same thing legally.

10 hours ago

Trevor ********************

@Kevin *******

So so sorry. Now the American VA is studying cannabis use for vets with PTSD.

10 hours ago

Reply to

Trevor ********************

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kevin *******

can u elaborate did they ask on a form or ask for police report from you country? Or just get a non o visa then extend for a year when I reach thailand and of course the required deposit in thai bank? Thanks for any help you can offer.

12 hours ago

Kevin ********

@William ************

They never asked for criminal info on my marriage papers.

12 hours ago

Reply to

Kevin ********

John *******

How do you know which check have you done

13 hours ago

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John ******

yes I had a fbi check came up three misdemeanors.

12 hours ago

John *******

@William ************

I very much doubt that will be a problem even if you actually need to submit it

12 hours ago

Reply to

John *******

Matthew ********

Just don't declare anything . If it was a mister meaner it should be spent.

Only sentences over 5 years are never spent

13 hours ago

Neale *********

@Matthew *******

misdemeanor??

11 hours ago

Trevor ********************

@Neale ********

It is now 2024. We must call them "They/themdemeanors".

10 hours ago

Matthew ********

@Neale ********

that's what the guy who put the post up called it "a mistermeaner " not sure how to spell it . I'm guessing it's a conviction that he didn't go to jail for .

11 hours ago

Reply to

Matthew ********

Dave *******

@Matthew *******

correct only on your record for so many years 👍

13 hours ago

Reply to

Dave *******

Garry *******

Also depends on major or minor conviction

15 hours ago

Robert *********

@Garry ******

✅

11 hours ago

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garry ******

misdemeanor

14 hours ago

Dave *******

@William ************

doesn’t make the slightest difference . After so many years not even on your record any more

13 hours ago

Ralph *******

@Dave ******

It depends. Can do a deep search and it’s still there.

9 hours ago

Reply to

Ralph *******

Chris ****

45 years ago is ancient history. Nobody should be held to account for that long ago. Thais are not judgmental like some countries.

15 hours ago

David *********

Depends what the offence was !

Robert *********

👍

Chris ****

true

David *********

Gary Glitter comes to mind !

12 hours ago

Chris ****

@David ********

Gary never paid for his crimes. I think the OP is saying he was indicted, charged and penalized. So in fact paid for his error.

9 hours ago

David *********

@Chris ***

oh I see! Could you explain why the reptile is still in prison in England having been convicted ex-territorial for some of the crimes he committed?

8 hours ago

Reply to

David *********

Carlos *********

Get the record expunged.

15 hours ago

Brandon ************

Not sure where you're looking. Out of all the visas relevant to you, only 1 has requirement for criminal records check. Marriage visa is not one of those.

15 hours ago

Keith *********

@Brandon ***********

Yes Brandon that's 100% correct. I've just been through the process of getting a non-o and converting it to a non-o based on marriage. There was no criminal record check.

11 hours ago

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks for helping .

15 hours ago

William *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

is there a question on the application about a record. Or Thai immigration does not look for that.

15 hours ago

Dirk **************