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Why was I asked for a fingerprint and police clearance report for my marriage-based visa extension in Thailand?

Oct 29, 2025
6 months ago
Hi everyone, I've been renewing my marriage-based extension annually for a few years now. At my appointment yesterday, for the first time ever, the Immigration Officer asked me to get a fingerprint and a clearance report. They gave me a letter to submit and get back once it's ready.

Has anyone else experienced this recently? Is this a new standard procedure, or could it be a random check?

Any insight would be appreciated!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their recent experience renewing their marriage-based visa extension, where they were asked for a fingerprint and a police clearance certificate for the first time. They inquire if this is a new standard procedure, prompting responses from others in the community. Some confirm similar experiences at the Chaengwattana immigration office, while others express uncertainty regarding the requirement and mention differing experiences based on nationality.
Sayaad *******
Mine asked for it too. Planning to go on next week to Police headquarters in Patumwan.
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Ally ************
Does your immigration office actually list this requirement in it's document checklist? It wasn't a requirement when i renewed my marriage visa in CM recently and i haven't sent it on the website 🤔
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อเล็กซ์ *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's not a requirement; it's more a matter of the IO officer's discretion to request. Very random though.
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อเล็กซ์ *******
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Charles ********
What exactly is a police clearance certificate? I have a UK passport but have never lived there.

I am hoping to apply for a retirement visa next year. Will l need one for that ?
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James ********
@Charles *******
depends on which retirement Visa you will be applying for...

Read the requirements for the several Thai Visas for retirement on the Thai Embassy in the UK website.

FYI, the OA visa for retirement does need a police clearance certificate. The Non O Visa for retirement does not.
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Charles ********
@James *******
thanks l mean if l have never lived in UK l am wondering what the point is ?
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Graham ******
@Charles *******
You wouldn't have your eVisa application assessed by the RTE London then so you need to consult the Embassy website serving the country for where you'd be applying from
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Graham ******
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James ********
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James ********
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Alastair ********
I applied my annual extension based on marriage at Chengwattana on Monday and didn't need to get a police clearance. I hold Australian passport.
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อเล็กซ์ *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's the Chaengwattana immigration office, and they handed me a letter to get the police clearance certificate. So it was a visit to the police headquarters, and roughly 3 days to get the certificate. Now in the waiting phase.

Btw, the document had already passed the "checking doc" stage at the first window and was assigned to the IO counter for the procedure where it was being requested.
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Tod *********
What immigration office is this? I know Chaengwattana has been having certain nationalities get police background checks done for retirement/marriage extensions for a while now (a South African friend of mine has to get one every year for his retirement extension)

They want you to get the police clearance at the Police Special Branch Office down by the Police Hospital here in Bangkok

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Tod *********
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