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Will I have issues living in Thailand with a felony conviction from when I was 16?

Retirement VisaFelony ConvictionLong-term Resident VisaThai ImmigrationThailand RetirementExpat LivingNon-O VisaPolice Clearance Certificate
Mar 17, 2025
5 months ago
Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all. American and wanting to retire to Thailand next year. I’ll be 62 and money will not be an issue. Retirement fund and social security. My question is…will I have any issue being able to live in Thailand with a felony conviction when I was 16 years old in 1980? Not even a traffic citation since. Degreed professional in medical field for 40 years. Plan to have the 800k baht in a thai bank and monthly of 100k for living expenses.

Appreciate your input.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American expat planning to retire in Thailand seeks advice about potential issues related to a felony conviction from 1980 when he was 16. The consensus among community members is that this older conviction should not pose any problems for obtaining a retirement visa, particularly if the necessary visa application processes are followed. Various visa options, such as the Long-term Resident Visa (LTR) and Non-O Visa, are suggested. Additionally, commenters recommend checking for medical insurance and considering the expungement of the record as a precaution.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
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Bill ********
Hire a lawyer to get it expunged, then no worries.
5 months ago
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Dwayne ********
Wow. You got Social Security at 62, I have to wait till 67. Sorry not answering question, just mindful so young.
5 months ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dwayne *******
 I’ll take a hit on it of course. Only getting 70% but can get it starting at 62. I’m not waiting years later just to get a few hundred more. I could be dead before then!
5 months ago
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Stan ******
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Martin *********
You need to apply for your retirement Visa after you get here not beforehand
5 months ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ********
 yes!
5 months ago
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Stan ******
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Peter **********
some visas ask for a police(crime) clearance certificate, rg non- immigrant OA does
5 months ago
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Joseph ****
It sounds like you will not have a problem. But can you petition a judge in your juresdiction to expunge your record? Compared to a lot of the disheartening crap they have to deal with daily, a judge might even be happy to see your subsequent upstanding life and grant this. They do it often here and there. Good luck!
5 months ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joseph ***
 I’ve never really looked into that. I figured if I did the crime I should do the time 🙂.

And would be very costly, attorneys and politicians are very greedy.
5 months ago
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Joseph ****
@Stan *****
 Yes, mostly likely so, unfortunately. I don't know if you need a politician, but a connected attorney--especially one that donates to judicial election campaigns(if they're elected where you are)--can ask a judge to strike that from your record. OR get your record sealed. I live in Las Vegas where that's how it works.😬 Records get sealed here all the time and then employers, etc. never know the better. You were 16 at the time so it might even be a routine ask. If a lawyer quotes you too much, a clerk at the relevant court might tell you how to submit your own petition?

Anyway, you probably don't need this. I won't butt in any more. 😅
5 months ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joseph ***
 much appreciated!
5 months ago
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Stan ******
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Peter *******
One very important point to think about is Medical insurance here - check out these people, I can personally recommend them
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5 months ago
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Robert ********
Get a NonO visa at the Thai embassy.

If that is approved, you’re good, because the retirement extension (or LTR or whatever you want to get) are done within the country. Nobody will ever know about what happened before.
5 months ago
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Clare *******
Youll be ok
5 months ago
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Jeff *********
No worries , congratulations 🙏
5 months ago
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Cathy ********
You will be OK xx
5 months ago
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John *******
No issues enjoy your retirement go steady
5 months ago
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Paul ********
You'll have no problems...
5 months ago
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Mark ******
I don't believe you will have an issue even IF a police background check was required. I don't believe anything before 18 would be checked AND if you are in a different state now, the check will only go back to when you started living in that state if you go to local/state police office to get the report. That is how it worked for me 7-8 years ago.
5 months ago
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Jim ********
I suggest the
@LTR **************************
. No 90 day reporting, no bank account balance, tax exemptions, etc.
5 months ago
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Steve *********
@Jim *******
 What is the cost of an LTR Visa? Starting to look at getting a visa for myself.
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Jim *******
 Very good visa if you qualify but the requirements are quite stiff
*********************
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Jordan *****
You will be fine
5 months ago
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Chris ******
No police check for ret. visa
5 months ago
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Stephen *******
@Chris *****
 Except for O-A
5 months ago
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Chris ******
@Stephen ******
 You sure? I know a guy who has it and he has a record. He has the retirement one and says he never had a background check.
5 months ago
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Stan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen ******
 the non-OA. Is that a thing?
5 months ago
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Stephen *******
@Stan *****
 Yes, obtainable in your home country
5 months ago
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Dean *********
@Stan *****
 Yes. The OA requires a background check. A police record doesn't mean though that your visa request will be automatically rejected. YMMV.
5 months ago
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Dean *********
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