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Why do applicants need to provide their own police report for a non O-A visa in Thailand?

Jun 26, 2023
3 years ago
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just out of curiosity, when applying for a non O-A visa, you are asked to provide your own police report, surely the immigration can obtain this information about you. Or is it that they just want you to do the work.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirement for applicants to provide their own police report when applying for a non O-A visa stems from the fact that the Thai authorities do not have direct access to criminal records from other countries. Visa applications for the non O-A visa must be done from the applicant's home country through the embassy, which places the responsibility of obtaining this sensitive information on the individual. This process is influenced by privacy laws and the lack of bilateral agreements between countries for sharing such data.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
Tony ********
They want you to do the work and they want you to pay for it.
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Martin *********
Google obtaining ‘ a police record report ‘ … you can apply online ( obviously in your own country ) easy … cost was £83 , when I did mine in uk 8 years ago .
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Ken ******
it does help to prevent criminals escaping from a host country, but i wonder the record is still clean for suspects not caught or went through court proceeding yet
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เจสัน ******
There is no bilateral agreement between the UK Police Forces and the Royal Thai Police Immigration to provide this information. Each country has its own Data Protection and Disclosure Rules.
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Bob **********
Your visa is from a Thai consulate not Thai immigration your better off with a non-o and extend in Thailand no insurance needed
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Greg ********
As a result of migrating more than a few times I have had to obtain police clearance from Canada, Thailand & Australia in each case ID is required and sometimes fingerprints. Privacy laws exist for various reasons
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Lisa ********************
It's the police report from your own country. Thailand doesn't have access to that
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Thomas *********
If you are applying from the UK via the Royal Thai Embassy. You need to use their Official online portal. There is no need for a Police check and don't ask for it on their portal. You do need the following if applying for a multi entry Non O: Scanned copy of your passport. 2 passport size photos, one bank statement no older than 3 months old with a balance of more than 10k. Scanned copy of your wife's Thai ID and a scanned copy of the marriage certificate. When scanning you need to save in a JPEG format and NOT PDF. If you apply on a Sunday you will have your visa back accepted in under 10 working days. You need to send the photo copies of the scans including the two passport photos. Don't send your original passport. Also included a stamped address envelope. It's a very easy process and the Royal Thai Embassy team are outstanding. Good luck.

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Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
thank you for the advise, fortunately I have all ready passed that point and I have now been here for a month on my non o visa. Many thanks anyway.
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Stephen ********
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Frank **********
Why would the Embassy or Immigration do your work for you.
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Roberto *********
@Frank *********
How will a visa agent obtain a police report from your home country? 🤣🤣🤣
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Frank **********
@Roberto ********
I updated it 5555
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Frank **********
@Roberto ********
right I meant for in country for a regular Non O visa. I know he don't need a police report here
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Frank **********
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Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks
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Pornrat ***********
Thai authorities put the onus on you to obtain the sensitive data
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Ismail ***********
Police report or clearance? If a local pol clearance will do, go to any forensics dept take fingerprints pay 100 baht and you should get your clearance in 7-14 days
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Wayne *********
@Ismail **********
OA visa is not done in Thailand so can not go to local police
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Ismail ***********
@Wayne ********
Noted. Thank you 🙏
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Ismail ***********
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Gordon ************
Maybe your mum could do it for you 👍👍👍
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Steve ********
@Gordon ***********
If my mum writes a letter telling people that I'm a really nice well-behaved boy, do you think that will swing it?
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Gordon ************
@Steve *******
Of course 👌👌👌
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Gordon ************
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Will ************
You start here..follow all instructions precisely
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%20A%20Basic
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Dave *********
@Will ***********
It must have changed, it used to be a Police ACRO certificate the Thai Embassy wanted not a basic DBS.
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Lisa ********************
@Dave ********
basic DBS is accepted. Quick and not too expensive
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Lisa ********************
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Brandon ************
Immigration has nothing to do with you applying for an OA visa. You apply for an OA visa from your home country and Thailand does not have any immigration offices or officers in your home country.

The embassy is also not going to go through the time, effort, or expense in doing your application work for you when you apply for an OA Visa through them.
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Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Brandon, at the moment I am on a non o based on marriage and will be applying for my extension based on marriage, but maybe in the future I would like to change to an OA, is this then not possible to do in Thailand.
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Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks
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Andy ********
@Stephen *******
, if you do change to an O-A you must extend at least once on the reason you applied for the visa which will be being over 50 years of age (retirement). This means it will be 2 to 3 years before you are back to extending for reason of being married to a Thai national.
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Andy ********
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Marty *********
@Stephen *******
There is no advantage to having and OA when extending as married. The requirements for an extension of an OA are exactly the same as that for an extension of an O visa.
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Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for clearing that up for me.
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Steve ********
@Stephen *******
OA is only available from an embassy or consulate in your home country
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Brandon ************
@Stephen *******
As I said, you apply for an OA visa from your home country.
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Brandon ************
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