Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand if I have a driving offence pending clearance until November 2024?

Jan 10, 2022
3 years ago
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, am I correct in assuming that I can't apply for a retirement visa until my driving offence which does not become cleared until November 2024 is clear?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the implications of a driving offence on applying for a retirement visa in Thailand. Responses clarify that a Non-O visa does not require a police clearance certificate, unlike the Non-OA visa. It is suggested that the user could apply for a Non-O visa based on retirement if they meet the financial requirements (having 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account). The conversation addresses concerns about minor driving offences and their impact on visa applications, emphasizing that minor offences typically do not affect visa eligibility.
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Bob **********
Come in on a non-o and extend or a tv and change to non-o in country
Martin *********
Maybe a problem if it's a multiple vehicular manslaughter, otherwise should be ok.
Benjamin ******
The crimes that will get you rejected for a Non-OA / Non-OX / Non-B visa are International crimes. These crimes include felony assault, rape, murder, etc. Immigration would not care one bit about a speeding ticket, a parking ticket, etc.

I heard of people who got Non-OA visas with with an assault record, but it was 5 years since they served jail time šŸ˜®

If you're really paranoid, attempt to get your criminal record "sealed"
Ian *********
Most minor traffic offences such as speeding are classed as summary only offence and attract a financial sanction only in the courts. These offences donā€™t show up on DBS checks but are only recorded against your driving licence record. HOWEVER, offences such as drink / drugs driving, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified are ā€œrecordableā€ offences as they can carry a term if imprisonment on conviction. These are the type of offences that would be disclosed on a DBS check.
Steve **********
@Ian ********
Don't worry about traffic offences or Civil actions.

Immigration wants Criminal history.
Ron ******************
Step by step, where are you, in which country did you commit the offence, which retirement visa are you talking about O or OA, do you have B 800k in a Thai bank or available to put into a Thai bank etc?
Paulus *********
Minor driving offences should not be revealed on a dbs check unless it's very serious like dangerous driving.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****************
I live in England and I would like a non O visa. I didn't realize it was on my record until I applied for a job and they did a police record check.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Ron ******************
@Don *********
if you have the B 800k available enter on a tourist visa transfer the funds into a Thai bank account and apply for a non imm O inside Thailand.
Stuart *********
Iā€™m assuming you are referring to a Non Immigrant OA visa which requires a police clearance certificate.

You can apply for a Non immigrant O visa based on retirement that doesnā€™t require one. If you live in a country that wonā€™t sell those (eg Australia) you can enter Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exempt and convert to a Non O in country providing you have 800k in a Thai bank in your name only.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you Stuart that's a great help
Stuart *********
@Don *********
Many people prefer going the Non O route over the OA route as it doesnā€™t require mandatory health insurance - which is hard to get, or very expensive if youā€™re over 75.
Sammy *******
@Stuart ********
over 75? try 65 and over, especially if you have any pre- existing conditions.
Sammy *******
Additionally, of course, many, if not most, of the larger, reputable carriers will not even offer coverage to those 65 and over (yes, for some carriers if you were with them prior to age 65, they will continue to cover u past age 65, but often there is an age deadline on that, or the annual premiums grow so large they can be unaffordable.)
Charles ********
@Stuart ********
got me curious, maybe even worried... Traffic violation could make it so you can't get clean police clearance?
Stuart *********
@Charles *******
Sorry I donā€™t know the criteria for what a police clearance certificate must state. I believe that they only list criminal charges rather than traffic violations, but Iā€™ll let others who may have experience to comment.
Paul ********
Stephen *******
No.
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