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

Marriage Visa Extension Police Clearance Certificate Immigration Procedures Chaengwattana Immigration Office Thailand Visa Requirements Expats in Thailand Fingerprinting for Visa

Oct 29, 2025

3 days ago

อเล็กซ์ *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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 reported that during their routine renewal of a marriage-based visa at the Chaengwattana immigration office, they were asked for a police clearance certificate for the first time. Several comments from the community indicate that this may not be a widespread requirement, as others have renewed their marriage visas without needing the document and some were also asked for it. This seems to vary by individual cases and possibly by office or nationality. Users are seeking clarification on whether this is a new standard procedure.

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Sayaad *******

Mine asked for it too. Planning to go on next week to Police headquarters in Patumwan.

2 days ago

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 🤔

3 days ago

อเล็กซ์ *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

It's not a requirement; it's more a matter of the IO officer's discretion to request. Very random though.

3 days ago

Reply to

อเล็กซ์ *******

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 ?

3 days ago

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.

3 days ago

Charles ********

@James *******

thanks l mean if l have never lived in UK l am wondering what the point is ?

3 days ago

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

3 days ago

Reply to

Graham ******

James ********

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3 days ago

Reply to

James ********

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.

3 days ago

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.

3 days ago

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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3 days ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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