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Do I need a current criminal record check for a Thailand Non-B visa, and can I travel to Cambodia on it?

Thailand Non-B Visa Criminal Record Check e-Visa Application Working in Thailand DBS Check Visa Policies Travel Between Countries

Dec 9, 2022

2 years ago

Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have two questions.

First question: I have a job at a school in Bangkok and am applying for a non-b visa via the London embassy e-visa website. Do I need a current criminal record check to apply for the non-b visa?

If I do need a criminal record check then I have a new issue... 

It was a last-minute hire so I'm due to start 9th January but fly on 23rd December so am concerned about turnaround times for a DBS check. I have a very very old enhanced DBS check certificate from 2007 from an old job. Would that work? Technically, DBS checks do not have an expiry date so maybe?

Second question: I am applying for non - b visa single entry as I have never been to Thailand before. I am planning a short holiday to Cambodia after I arrive in Thailand but before I start my job. Is it possible to leave the country briefly on a non - b single entry visa?

Information hugely appreciated!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks advice on whether a current criminal record (DBS) check is required for applying for a Non-B visa to work at a school in Bangkok, noting a concern about the turnaround time for the check before traveling. They also inquire about the possibility of briefly leaving Thailand for Cambodia on a single-entry Non-B visa after arrival. Community responses emphasize the importance of coordinating with the school for necessary documents, the requirement for a recent police check, and suggest that entering Thailand on a tourist visa might be a viable option if the Non-B visa cannot be secured in time.

Tod *********

Okay, it seems this topic has run it's course. Good luck

@Marie ********

, you have your options laid out.

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Tod *********

No disrespect

@Marie ********

but this sounds like a slow motion train wreck.

I'd just come in on a 45 day free visa exempt entry THEN you can go to your holiday in Cambodia

AND when you come back that would give you time to deal with your employer actually getting the correct documents so you can apply in country for the 90 day non-B visa OR go to a thai consulate in a nearby country to apply.

Keep in mind that police report can only be so old when you apply SO a 15 year old one most likely isn't gonna cut it 😕 (but I can't find where it says how old is too old)

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for your advice, my plan is to basically try applying for the non b via the London e visa site. I'm getting the 4 day ACRO police certificate which hopefully will arrive on time to get the non b before departure since it is now sent via email. If I don't get it on time I'll enter Thailand on a tourist visa and apply via another embassy as you suggest Tod 👍

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Darren *******

@Marie ********

I would imagine they will require the actual certificate and not the emailed one. I just requested one for myself and the emailed version is very very different to the actual one posted out. You might want to see if it's possible for them to send it first class as the post are on strike for 4 or 5 days between now and Christmas.

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

or is that the ACRO? I'm paying to upgrade delivery to next day because of the strikes.

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Darren *******

@Marie ********

ACRO. Ok good, I wasn't sure if that was an option or not but glad to hear it is

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am getting an enhanced dbs which the school are paying for as well tho

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes, they say ACRO or dbs on the website thankfully as DBS is super slow

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

the London embassy doesn't issue the certificate in the post at all anymore only via email that you print. It pops up on the website and you have to acknowledge before you start applying. Unless it says something different at the end of the application which I haven't got to yet 😅

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Marie *********

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Ellie *******

@Marie ********

, sorry a bit off the rails. if your visa is approved after you enter Thailand, you can still use it to enter Thailand again, you just need to do border bounce to 'activate' a visa.

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

oh really? So I could get the non b and 'activate' it using my entry from Cambodia?

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Ellie *******

@Marie ********

, right.

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

even though it would have been issued by the London embassy? If so that is amazing and solves all my problems

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Ellie *******

@Marie ********

, right, even eVisa from London, you can use it as long as it's valid (3 months from issued date)

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

amazing, thank you for your help

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Marie *********

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Darren *******

6 months

*************************************************************************

*****

-non-immigrant-visas

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Tod *********

thanx for that (y)

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Tod *********

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Edward ********

You need to start pushing the school to do its job and guide you through this. If they are letting you flail around guessing that you can use a 15 year-old police check then they could seriously mess you about later on. I know they probably brushed you off and said "go do on website" but they have a responsibility to guide you through this.

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Edward **********

thanks for replying - the school have now emailed me back saying it needs to be within 6 months - I just wanted to ask here because I'm in the UK and the time difference means there is a delay in getting their answers via email. Just me being impatient/very aware of my short timescale ☺ They have asked I try to get the non b before departure and if I can't get it on time then I'll enter on a tourist visa we'll apply via a neighbouring country embassy.

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Marie *********

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James ********

IF you are still in the UK... Then your employer school will need to prepare the needed documents to submit with the UK Thai Embassy using the Evisa application system before you fly to Thailand.

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James ********

Also I suggest you focus on getting the Non B visa rather than making a short visit to Cambodia. Getting the Visa is MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW !

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James ********

Are you now in Thailand?

If so I don't believe that you can apply for the Non B visa with the Evisa online application system from the UK.

You need to talk with your School employer And they will need to get you correct documents to obtain the Non B visa as a teacher in a NJ neighbor SE Asia country... The documents are Embassy or Consulate specific, so you can NOT 🚫 just go to any Thai Embassy or Consulate.

It may be possible that the School can get you the Non B visa at their local Thai immigration office with coordination of Thai immigration, your School and the Thai Labor Ministry who is to issue the work permit for you.

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Marie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for replying, I am still in the UK right now. I have the documents from the school for the non B and am getting a 4 day ACRO to support that application. Hopefully it will arrive on time to complete the non B visa application since that is now sent by email from the London embassy for me to print. If not, the plan is that I'll enter on a tourist visa and apply for the non B at a neighbouring country embassy. 👍 Thanks for your help

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Marie *********

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