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Is a DBS check sufficient for the OA visa application from the UK or do I need an ACRO certificate?

OA Visa UK Criminal Record Checks DBS Check ACRO Certificate Visa Options Non-O Visa Thailand Immigration Health Insurance Requirements

Apr 19, 2025

3 days ago

MillieandTimmiesgreatadventure **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Looking at the OA visa,applying from the UK. I have a question about the 'certificate of criminal record clearance '. I can get a DBS check that costs £21.50, or an ACRO certificate which costs £68. Is the DBS sufficient or do I need to go all in with the ACRO?

Thanks.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster inquires whether a DBS check suffices for the 'certificate of criminal record clearance' required for an OA visa application from the UK, or if they should opt for a more expensive ACRO certificate. Responses suggest that a standard DBS might be adequate unless the applicant works with children, in which case the ACRO is recommended. There is also a discussion on the advantages of the Non-O visa, highlighting less stringent restrictions and health insurance concerns.

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Wannikea *********

Dump the OA in favor of the O, unless you specifically are trying to delay bringing funds over.

2 days ago

David *******

I've been there done that.

Had a "SIA" licence but still had to pay for their checks to obtain my OA visa.

Looking back I wished I'd opted for just the "O" visa as the health insurance is very restricted to only certain companies with Thai approval.

2 days ago

Sarah ******

If you intend on working with children then the ACRO is the better option, if not then a normal DBS will suffice.

3 days ago

MillieandTimmiesgreatadventure **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Sarah *****

thanks for that, no intention of working with kids. No intention of working!

2 days ago

Reply to

MillieandTimmiesgreatadventure **********

Tony *****

Have you considered the Non O option? Less restrictions and more importantly you’re not tied into the health insurance which is apparently pretty bad

3 days ago

MillieandTimmiesgreatadventure **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tony ****

tha OA suits our needs best.

2 days ago

Paul ********

@Tony ****

hi interested in your comment, can you explain a bit more about you comment on health insurance and a non o visa, thanks

3 days ago

Tony *****

@Paul *******

my misunderstanding then. I thought that when you extend after the first year it has to be one of the recommended companies by the Thai government

2 days ago

Tony *****

@Paul *******

the non o visa is pretty similar to the non oa but without the extra requirements. Same financial but nothing else. You get an initial 90 visa which as long as you fulfill requirements can extend for 12 months. From that point on it’s a case of extending every 12 months pretty much the same as the non OA

As for the health insurance you in order to extend after 12 months in pretty much needs to be one of the government approved ones. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong in that. The policies they offer aren’t the best

3 days ago

Greg *********

@Tony ****

Depends on what company and what level of policy you have. You kind of get what you pay for.

2 days ago

Reply to

Greg *********

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