Answered4 months ago
Will a minor offence from many years ago affect my visa application for Thailand?
Hi. I committed a minor offence when I was a young man, many years ago! I have to declare it. Will it stop me getting a visa?
Answer summary
A user inquired whether a minor offense from their youth, which they need to declare, would impact their visa application for Thailand. Responses from the community varied, emphasizing that the specific visa type is crucial. A minor offense might not necessarily bar the individual from obtaining a Non-O visa, as police checks are generally not required for this type. However, it is advisable to declare any offenses, especially during a brief interview at the embassy. Factors such as the nature of the offence and country-specific regulations on expunged records were also discussed.
31 repliesnewest first
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Robin ******
For a non o you don’t need a CR check, only for an oa.
Paul ********
Ive never been asked and ive done somethings in the past
Nev ********
In Australia if it’s not a serious offence you can apply to get it expunged.
Graeme *******
Well first of all which visa are you applying for.
Understand**********
Think it’s custodial sentences that get flagged
Shane *****
Depends on how the question is phrased. If it says “have you ever” the 5-10 year etc rules mean nothing. It still has to be declared.
Christopher *******
OPThanks for your advice folks!
John *********
Woow for once a very sensible question 👏
Paul *******
If the UK they have no such term as a spent conviction, I found this out years ago during a CRB check.
Phil ********
Paul Jones That is incorrect. It depends on the crime, the sentence and how long ago it was committed. Some more serious crimes are never classed as spent but most other convictions are when applying for basic disclosure. However, if the person or body asks for an 'enhanced' check - and not everyone is allowed to demand such a check, then yes, all records are shown. There is also a potential saving grace - if its a very old conviction then it may well have never been put on your record when the newer system of record keeping was put in place. I was a bad lad in my late teens/early 20's - fighting and the like and had 2 (I think) convictions. They don't show up on either a basic or enhanced check.
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Phil ********
Paul Jones That is incorrect. It depends on the crime, the sentence and how long ago it was committed. Some more serious crimes are never classed as spent but most other convictions are when applying for basic disclosure. However, if the person or body asks for an 'enhanced' check - and not everyone is allowed to demand such a check, then yes, all records are shown. There is also a potential saving grace - if its a very old conviction then it may well have never been put on your record when the newer system of record keeping was put in place. I was a bad lad in my late teens/early 20's - fighting and the like and had 2 (I think) convictions. They don't show up on either a basic or enhanced check.
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LavenderR**********
Paul Jones yes they do, it depends on the offence to how long before it's spent some convictions are never spent but that's only serious crime
Paul *******
LavenderRaccoon9568 Local council said no such thing as a spent conviction. Was a very minor offence after 30 years. Still had to declare
Mma *******
It should be expunged from your record if it was 10+ yrs ago. Either way run a Crime record check to see what’s up.
Mma *******
Ok it depends on your country.
Dean *******
Mma Droog crimes stay on your record for 100 years
Barney ********
Dean Giles my uk dbs says theyre cleared but when it turns up on paper, everything is listed there, everything from kid stuff to more serious, it slightly crimped the end of my working life)
LavenderR**********
Barney Ontour it would depend on what DBs check you do
John *********
Highly unlikely. But it is wise to declare it. Very worse case scenario. A very brief interview at the Embassy
Patrick ********
No no no
Graham ******
Very few visas require a police check so what will you be applying for?
John *********
Graham Seal Non - OA Retirement Visa does require an ACRO Police Check as opposed to a DBS Check done by an agency. A trawl of all Police CRO, PNC and Crimimal intelligence indices. Includes Microfiche. Whatever it was, however long ago it will flag up. Thing to consider is that it can take weeks to complete.
Graham ******
John Kenealy yes, so?
Paul *******
Graham Seal O-A would be guess
Graham ******
Paul Jones Best not to guess when giving Immigration advice
Paul *******
Graham Seal So he does not need a police check for OA?
Wannikea *********
Paul Jones scary fairy tale
Graham ******
Paul Jones no he does not, stop spreading misinformation
Paul *******
Graham Seal Regardless he still need a police check what ever visa he's apply for. The question is to declare or not. Makes no difference.
Anders ********
Depends on how long your country save the criminal register. Here in Sweden criminal records are erased after five years for minor crimes and ten years for more severe.
Lynnette *******
What visa? There are many.
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