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What are the requirements for obtaining an OA visa for Thailand, and is a criminal record check necessary?

OA visaThailand visa requirementscriminal record checkUS citizensimmigration to ThailandNon-O visafinancial requirementshealth insurancetemporary visas
Aug 15, 2022
2 years ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
One of our neighbour's husband is a US citizen and wants to apply for an oa visa in America, but he says they are asking for a criminal record check. Is this a new thing or has he made a mistake? He wants to move to Thailand premently and his flight is in a month not enough time for him to get a criminal record check. What do people think he should do?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the requirements for obtaining an OA visa for Thailand, specifically highlighting that a criminal record check has always been a requirement. Participants clarify that the husband of the neighbor, a US citizen, needs this check before applying, and discuss alternative options such as entering Thailand on a tourist visa and converting to a Non-O visa. Several comments detail the process for obtaining a criminal record check in the US and emphasize the importance of having the required financial resources to maintain the visa.
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Gee ******
I think a month might not be enough time. FBI check and all completed paperwork must be submitted at one time. Sometimes everything can be done in a month, sometimes longer. Government works on their own timelines
2 years ago
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Terary **********
For my criminal check I went to the local court house and requested document that said I had no pending cases. This was in Asheville NC. Small little town. I could have had outstanding Federal or out-of-state cases.

To be honest, I didn't fully understand what the document said, it was a bunch legalize/government speak. I don't think the Thai government cares too much what you call a criminal check, just something that looks official and says something like you are not a criminal.

I had to do my criminal background about 7 years ago for a teaching job.
2 years ago
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Jorge ****
A few years ago, while in the US, I needed a police clearance as I was hired for work for a Thai gov. school. Went to the Hall of Justice, records dept, and requested the doc. They looked at my driver's lic, and did it while I waited. The cost was a nominal $20. Took 15 min.
2 years ago
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Tony *********
It only takes a week to receive an FBI criminal record check. Go on line and apply on line. Follow their instructions. You will need to print it out, get your fingerprints completed (search google as to where in the city you live in), and mail the fingerprints and printed on line application per the directions. Got my results emailed to me in 3-4 business days.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 the neighbor's husband is American from New York state, but I know little to anything else about him. But I'll pass on your info hopefully it will help.
2 years ago
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Dianne *****
@Paul ******
 however if he has already transferred all of his money to his wife in Thailand, he may no longer meet the financial requirements for obtaining an OA visa in the US ie if he no longer has the equivalent of the 800K baht in the US, so it might be a moot point
2 years ago
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Dianne *****
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Tony *********
If your neighbor is British this does not apply. FBI checks are for Americans.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 thanks I'll tell his wife this, not something I know anything about being British.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Bonnie *******
2 years ago
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Rob **********
It has always been one of the requirements when applying for a OA visa
2 years ago
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John *********
It is standard. Nothing new.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 he said he didn't have to do it last time. I am too young for a OA visa so it's a bit out of my understanding. I am going to advise him to come on a tourist visa then convert to a non-o visa inside Thailand like
@Brandon ***********
 advance.
2 years ago
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John *********
@Paul ******
 sorry.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 don't have to apologize it was the correct information.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Brandon ************
If he enters on an OA visa he can keep his money in the US for the first 2 years or so, but if he wants to stay in Thailand permanently then after that he will have to do extensions based on Non-O, but will still be required to show 800,000 baht for retirement extension and keep the high insurance.

If he just enters Thailand on a tourist visa now, he can apply for a 90 day Non-O inside of Thailand, but he will be required to transfer the 800,000 baht now except there will be no insurance requirement.
2 years ago
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Gee ******
@Brandon ***********
 Non-OA does not require Thai bank deposit for 2 years? I thought it was required to show 2 months prior to the first year renewal/extension
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Gary ********
 you can't extend an OA. If you want an extension it has to be an O. With all the normal rules of the O but also including the insurance the OA required. Most people go home every 2 years to get a new OA so they never have to make the large transfer and deposit in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Gee ******
@Brandon ***********
 So if I get an O here I have to meet both O and Non OA requirements?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Gary ********
 if you came to Thailand with an OA and plan to extend it inside Thailand, then you need to meet the O requirements plus insurance.

Or you can go to a neighboring country after the OA runs out and get a new Non-O visa from there and get completely off the OA so there's no insurance requirement.
2 years ago
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Gee ******
@Brandon ***********
 oh 🤔. Options. Nice
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Gary ********
 There's also a third option, leave Thailand and re-enter after the OA runs out, but re-enter on Tourist visa or visa exempt. Then apply for the 90 day Non-O inside Thailand. But this one has an added requirement that you must be able to show that the 800,000 was transferred from overseas.

If you apply for the 90 day Non-O outside the country, you meet the requirements they want there, but then when you go for the 1 year extension in Thailand, you just have to show that you've had 800,000 in a bank for 2 months, not where it came from.
2 years ago
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Gee ******
@Brandon ***********
 ok thanks
2 years ago
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Gee ******
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nik Dadd I am not sure how old he is maybe in his 70s, will they accept a marriage visa extension? I did see something that immigration were reluctant to give marriage extensions if the person is over 50. Would he then have to get a non-o family visa from the US not a non-o retirement visa. Or is there no difference?
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 he doesn't have a Thai Bank account, but he's transfered all his money to his Thai wife (our neighbour). I've said that the he needs to get a Thai bank account first thing when he comes back. Does the 800,000 have to come from a foreign bank or can his wife transfer the the money?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul ******
 If he can get a Non-O visa before going to Thailand, then he won't need to worry as the Non-O extension only requires the money and doesn't care where it's from.

The Non-O doesn't have nearly as many requirements as the Non-OA, so he might be able to ask the embassy to switch his application to this.

But if he wants to apply for the first Non-O 90 day visa in Thailand, that requires you show the money was transferred from overseas into an account in his name only.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 right so he was silly to transfer the money directly to his wife. Therefore his only option is he needs to get a non-o before he comes. Then get a Thai bank account, transfer the money to this account. Thanks 👍
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Brandon ************
It's not a new requirement. OA visa requires many things including a high level of insurance, health certificate, and criminal records check. Did he not even bother to look at the requirements before applying?
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 so I've very much getting this third hand, but his wife told me that the last time he got an OA visa they didn't ask for this.
2 years ago
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Janin ******
@Paul ******
 OA requirements is the same for years already …
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Paul ******
 He probably got the O visa previously
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Steve *******
It's always been required for an OA visa.
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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