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Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand with a past criminal record?

Thailand Retirement VisaNON-O VisaVisa Application ProcessBackground Checks for VisaExpat Visa AdviceCriminal Record ConcernsImmigration Rules Thailand
Jun 12, 2018
6 years ago
Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know someone has has this about a bank robbery charge in their past and getting a visa of some sort.

I want to get a retirement visa. I first need to get a non immigrant visa from outside of thailand and it seems like I can do this from any country. Is this true? Also, I grew ganga professionally and was busted for it and served time in a federal prison. no guns involved and I was arrested in 1995 and have a totally clean record since then. the problem is that I show up on Interpol as a trafficker. I want to know if anyone has any idea on the depth of background checking that goes on and if anyone has any idea about being totally straight for over 20 years makes a difference. And if I apply for a non immigrant visa, and can do it in any country around this neighborhood, which would be the best considering my situation. I have all the other requirements met with the ability to get money into a thai bank, or use a combination of retirement money (social security) and bank money. Or I could just do the 800,000 B, no problem. Any advice is greatly appreciated in advance. JB
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand but has concerns regarding their past criminal history, including drug trafficking charges from 1995, which may impact their visa application. They want to know if they can apply for a non-immigrant visa from any country, the extent of background checks, and whether their clean record for over 20 years will be taken into consideration. Community members provided insights on the visa application process, particularly regarding the need for police background checks, and suggested that applying for the visa directly in Thailand may be more favorable. They also discussed different visa requirements based on location and emphasized the importance of understanding regulations related to past offenses.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tod *********
And I believe at this point the O/P has enough information to make an educated decision as far as what their course of action towards long term stay is.

We're done. .. Good Luck
@Jac***
 (y)
6 years ago
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Tod *********
The ONLY reason you'd need a police background check is if you were applying for a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa based on being over 50 from a thai consulate in the US before you came here

OR

IF you were applying for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type-O visa (note there is no A after that O) at a thai consulate in Vientiane or Penang based on being over 50.

Coming here on a 60 day tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry and then getting the 90 day Non-O visa inside the country does NOT require a background check. .
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks tod. sort of busy right now but give it a good going over here shortly. thanks again.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Simon *******
In the Uk if you get into trouble it stays on record for 10 years and then it is 'spent' any CRB check (criminal records check) you get after the 10 years shows up as clean. May be worth finding out what the US regulations are. I think after 20 years you will be ok
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I used to not be able to vote in federal elections, either. I still cannot serve on a jury. I can vote again. they changed the law to allow states to decide if their citizens can vote in federal elections. so now I can, but could not for years.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
nope, federal charges are on your record for life. i have already looked into it. state charges can be expunged.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks to most everyone for attempting to assist me. I appreciate your efforts. I will see how it plays out. thanks again. jb
6 years ago
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Tod *********
Okay, let's remember the name of the group, Thai Visa Advice. There is no need to comment on the previous history of the O/P. IF you can add any constructive advice as to how they would get a 90 day Non-O visa and then a year extension please feel free to do so.

If you cannot, there is no need to comment.

Thanx
6 years ago
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Russ *********
Hope it works out . The past is the past. You have moved on so good luck to you
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 yeah, I know. when I was younger, I owned a trucking company and went to canada a lot. only needed a driver's license back then. none of this passport stuff at all.
6 years ago
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Tony ********
@Jackie *****
 you sure wouldnt get into canada. even a dui keeps you out
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thatz why I am asking. and america, where i am from, is the only country, so far, I have trouble with each time I go back there.
6 years ago
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Tony ********
@Jackie *****
 many countries would never let you in even as a tourist. america certainly wouldnt
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, I did pay my penalty, with not a demerit against me. And been out of anything like that since 1995. I just have the gift that keeps on giving, a federal record and Interpol.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Peter ***************
Well

At this moment

There is a Dutch guy serving a long time sentence in Thailand

For something he legally did in the Netherlands

But was sentenced for bringing drugsmoney into the kingdom

Just saying
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter **************
 thatz why I am on this forum right now. for sure. thanks for all your help and advice.
6 years ago
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Peter ***************
@Jackie *****
 okay

I only know this certain story

You might be good.

But it's always better to be safe than sorry

Isn't it
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 well, I am certainly not that wealthy. 25 million anything is not in my stars.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
This Dutch guy was sentenced for not declaring the money to customs. He brought over 25 million Euro and could not tell where the money came from. Noting to do with what he did legal or not in the Netherlands.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter **************
 it was in 1995. I have had no connection to anything illegal, not even a traffic ticket, since then. I am just concerned about nothing being know about me, and then offering up info that could, maybe, hurt me and my aspirations to spend as much time in thailand as I can. OK?
6 years ago
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Peter ***************
Neither did anyone know about this guy

Dutch government ratted on him

Either way

He got 65 years

And his girlfriend 25

So be sure you got your stuff right
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks Peter. my concern is that I have no problems now. but I cannot stay long. but if I start sending my name in with all my info about my past, what can of worms am I opening here. no one knows crap for now.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Tod *********
Okay, there are completely different requirements to get a 90 day Non-O visa inside and outside the country.

Inside the country you do NOT need to do a police background check or a medical certificate.

You DO need at least 15 days left on your current stamp AND you need to meet the financial requirements.

You turn in your application, paperwork and 2000baht, the application goes under consideration for 14 days and you go back to get the 90 day Non-O visa stamped into your passport.

THEN when you have less than 45 days left on that new 90 day stamp you go and apply for a yearly extension of stay (again by meeting the financial requirements).

If you don't have enough time left on your current entry stamp you could always go to a thai consulate nearby and get a single entry tourist visa or do a border-bounce to get a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and then start the process.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you tod, another good piece of advice and not jokes or uptight people.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Robert *******
Vientiane and Penang ask for a Police record when you apply for the Non Immigrant O visa. Make a small investment and apply for this Police record and you will get your answer. You can do this by using this website:
*************************************
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Robert. One of the better pieces of advice re this question, so thanks for being helpful.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Bob **********
I think you would be better off getting the visa in Thailand I believe in the States they want a copy of your Police report as here they don’t but if they monitor this site they don’t need a copy do they 555
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 Now thatz funny. I am Kimo Sabe. f**k, how did you know? LOL
6 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jackie *****
 don’t really care but I think your Kimo Sabe LOL
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you know who I am?
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
nobody knows who I am here, so doesn't matter.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Ernesto ********
Guess Thailand will be better off without professionals like you.😉😞
6 years ago
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Ernesto ********
David Mills ,i stole Apples,strawberries and i also get fined for driving to fast,,,thats over 20 years ago. Never gone in federal prison for that.

Visiting Thailand on regular terms and as soon im not welcome anymore i stay away ,,very easy i think .

No,im quiet happy where i am now and all i need for travel is my passport.😂
6 years ago
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David *******
Its a good job your not in charge if deciding then isn’t it. I bet you never even broke the speed limit in your life stole fruit from trees as a kid or strayed at all in your life? Instead of petty comments why not try to offer constructive advice. Maybe Thailand would be better of without you more than the OP
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey, I ran a business successfully, I am an employer of people. and I paid minimum taxes. whatz not to like. so I was good at something that some folks don't like. well bad on me then. I guess i should have remembered to go to university. Drat.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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