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Will a felony record affect my eligibility for a non-immigrant O visa to retire in Thailand?

NON-O VisaRetirement VisaThailand ImmigrationCriminal Background CheckExpat GuidanceVisa Application Process
Jun 10, 2025
3 days ago
Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
USA passport holder. Want to retire to Thailand later this year. Age 62, financial is not an issue. Felony record from 46 years ago. If filing for non-immigrant O visa in USA, is there a criminal background check required and/or will I be denied the retirement visa. Degreed professional in medical field and no legal issues since I was age 16. Thanks for any legit insight or personal knowledge.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A USA passport holder, aged 62, is inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a NON-O visa for retirement in Thailand despite having a felony record from 46 years ago. Community responses indicate that there typically is no criminal background check required for the NON-O visa application, especially given the age of the record. Several members reassure him that the past felony should not pose an issue, sharing personal experiences and advice on navigating the visa application process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • 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.
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Dca *****
@Stan *****
 Even though the incident on your record is from when you were age 16 years old = as a minor and for most purposes not admissible and able to be considered in the vast majority of cases, have you sealed your record?? or, some U.S. States, can even expunge their entire record
2 days ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
 I looked into that recently. By Oklahoma law you must get a pardon first before records can be sealed. Getting the record sealed or expunged is not very expensive. The pardon on the other hand…expensive and political, all about who you know(meaning Graft) 🤷
a day ago
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Stan ******
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Dirk **************
Stan, really no worries. As Brandon said this is a non-issue. Good luck!
2 days ago
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Bill *******
@Dirk *************
 but dump did say it was a big deal and Brandon should resign because it should he was losing it…
2 days ago
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Bill *******
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Brad *******
There’s a farang living here who killed his mom, slit her throat and he’s living here and everybody knows it. The farangs and the Thai government. Then he got here and whack somebody with a beer mug when he was drunk in a bar. Didn’t get deported. Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal. 
2 days ago
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Gina ***********************
I don't think US and Thailand share criminal record databases, unlike US and Canada where data sharing is robust at ports of entry.
2 days ago
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Jay *******
If applying in the US for the non immigrant O, they do not ask like has been said. Very easy process. Very few questions asked and you will be ready to get a bank account when you land in Thailand
3 days ago
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Steve ***********
Info for all, what is a criminal background check?

Go to your local pd. They will look their records, only. To do a full NCIC check, there has to be an active criminal investigation. If you get finger printed they can possibly be checked within the state, for example firearms application.

This is for USA
3 days ago
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Steve ***********
You had a felony at 16? Than you were charged as an adult?
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Steve **********
 Yep, Conspiracy Io Commit Armed Robbery.
3 days ago
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Steve ***********
@Johnny ********
 he did?
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Steve **********
 Yes, but to be fair, it was only conspiracy. The planned armed robbery never materialized/
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for the reassurance and good news! I was really sweating this 🙂 I feel very relieved now.
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Stan *****
 Get a shower then, or at least a towel.
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
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Sasi ************
According to Thai law, The criminal record is available for 10 years for immigration purposes. The police report is available for crossed checks.

Over 4 decades, you should be fine.
3 days ago
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Stuart ***********
Apply for the non O based on retirement before you come to Thailand and you can open a bank account here. No need to use an agent, extending your stay is easy and there's no criminal checks. Good luck and enjoy.
3 days ago
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Richard ********
@Stuart **********
 Totally agree! 👍
2 days ago
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Richard ********
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Ron ********
My only advice is stay away from the Jomtien immigration office.

If you happened to not know, you have to use the immigration office in the district you reside. I may be incorrect in that, but about 4 dozen folks here will be glad to straighten me up on that if I am. Ha Ha!

So that means not living in the Jomtien/Pattaya area when you go through the process of applying. You can always move there after you get your one-year extension if you wish. Plenty of other much nicer areas in Thailand IMO. To each his own though.
3 days ago
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Alton *********
@Ron *******
 I’ve used the Jomtien office on 2 occasions. Both times I found the staff very nice and helpful.
2 days ago
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Ron ********
@Alton ********
 I could absolutely write a book on how they tortured me for many months. Plus they are brazenly openly corrupt. I once had a officer hand me off to an agent 'working' behind the counter (in some kind of official looking clothing) to help me get my retirement visa. I thought he was a immigration employee until he said he needed 25K baht to help me.
a day ago
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Ron ********
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Robert *********
@Ron *******
 bang saray is so much better
3 days ago
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Ron ********
@Robert ********
 Well, not trying to be smart-mouthed, but beating Pattaya is a pretty low bar to clear. In any case, do not Bang Saray residents also have to use the Jomtien IO?
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Robert ********
 I Bang Sue!
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
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Bruce *****************
You will sail in like a eagle.....this is Thailand not North Korea ...enjoy yourself it's a magic place
3 days ago
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Dwayne ********
@Bruce ****************
 magic place to you, takes a lot of time adjusting to “backwards” Thailand & expensive western way of life.
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Dwayne *******
 Thailand is OK, tho somewhat of a dump.
2 days ago
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Dwayne ********
@Johnny ********
 depends as anywhere, how you choose live. If in a apartment & depend on street/restaurant foods then can be a dump. But if you own a house or condo, than not. I was referring to purchasing & construction; healthcare & overall service quality. Product quality is closer to “made in china” & lots other stuff which can take 10 years to understand…. The years’ comment is that most that stuff isn’t day by day but just pops up like, lots hospitals have uneducated doctors that only have licenses because they have rich families but you still have to pay that expensive bill for the expensive doctor. Of course the double standard with prices because thais view all foreigners as excessively rich.
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Dwayne *******
 Agree 💯%
2 days ago
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Johnny *********
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Bruce *****************
@Dwayne *******
 all a matter of perspective ..... been good to me..
2 days ago
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Bruce *****************
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Johnny *********
@Bruce ****************
 I've only seen Unicorns and Rainbows in Thailand/
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
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Dca *****
There is not a criminal background (records) check for a Non–O E–Visa
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
The non-O visa based on being over 50 does not have any criminal records check.
3 days ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 and that is the visa I can apply for online in the USA? Would like to have it all legal and approved so that when I arrive in Thailand I can open a bank account with no issues. No agents, no illegalities.
3 days ago
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Johnny *********
@Stan *****
 No illegalities in Thailand is equivalent to saying no pollution in Thailand.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Stan *****
 Yes, you can apply for the non-O from the Thai embassy in the US. Or you can apply for the non-OA which does have the background check. But most people want the 90 day non-O anyways. You would choose non-immigrant visa in the dropdown, and then choose the pensioner no longer than 90 days option.
3 days ago
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Roger ********
@Stan *****
 yes, just apply for that visa, based on retirement, in the US
3 days ago
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Roger ********
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