Answered2 years ago
Will I have issues living in Thailand with a felony conviction from when I was 16?
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.
Appreciate your input.
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.
39 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bill ********
Hire a lawyer to get it expunged, then no worries.
Dwayne ********
Wow. You got Social Security at 62, I have to wait till 67. Sorry not answering question, just mindful so young.
Stan ******
OP@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!
Martin *********
You need to apply for your retirement Visa after you get here not beforehand
Stan ******
OP@Martin ********
yes!
Peter **********
some visas ask for a police(crime) clearance certificate, rg non- immigrant OA does
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!
Stan ******
OP@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.
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. 😅
Stan ******
OP@Joseph ***
much appreciated!
Peter *******
One very important point to think about is Medical insurance here - check out these people, I can personally recommend them
********************************
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.
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.
Clare *******
Youll be ok
Jeff *********
No worries , congratulations 🙏
Cathy ********
You will be OK xx
John *******
No issues enjoy your retirement go steady
Paul ********
You'll have no problems...
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.
Jim ********
I suggest the
@LTR **************************
. No 90 day reporting, no bank account balance, tax exemptions, etc.
Steve *********
@Jim *******
What is the cost of an LTR Visa? Starting to look at getting a visa for myself.
Jan ******************
@Jim *******
Very good visa if you qualify but the requirements are quite stiff *********************
Jordan *****
You will be fine
Chris ******
No police check for ret. visa
Stephen *******
@Chris *****
Except for O-AChris ******
@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.Stan ******
OP@Stephen ******
the non-OA. Is that a thing?Stephen *******
@Stan *****
Yes, obtainable in your home country
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.Activity
21 joined21
people
Related
25What are the CNI requirements for obtaining a Marriage Visa in Thailand and how does it relate to a Retirement Visa?
2.1k15273mo
Can I use my locked retirement funds to apply for a Non-O Visa in Thailand and access cash later for a Thai bank account?
4.7k141174mo
What are the best options for expats to meet Thailand's retirement visa financial requirements without tying up 800,000 baht?
25k1683987mo
What are the steps to transition from a 90-day Non O visa to a 1-year Retirement visa in Thailand without having 800k in the bank?
2.5k22208mo
What are my options for changing my visa from a Non OA based on marriage to a Non O based on retirement in Thailand?
2.4k25118mo
Do the 800,000 THB bank requirement for Thai visas need to be from an international transfer?
8.4k6111110mo
Can my grandfather combine his social security and savings to apply for a Non-O visa from the US for retirement in Thailand?
7.2k501011y
What are the best visa options for a 90-day stay in Thailand for a 71-year-old expat?
2.1k14231y
What do I need to know about applying for a non-O retirement visa in Thailand while using a Bangkok Bank account?
6.2k61411y
Can I apply for a new Non-O retirement visa from the UK after my current visa expires?
3k26211y
What are the differences between the Retirement visa and the DTV visa for moving to Thailand?
1.7k15101y
What are my options for obtaining a visa to Thailand when health insurance is a barrier?
8.3k67951y
What is the best visa option for my mother, who is over 60, to stay in Thailand for 10 months?
2.5k21181y
What are the requirements for a Non-O visa in Thailand and how long is it valid?
2.6k17232y
What are the steps for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand if I have 800k baht in a bank account?
2k10242y
What are the best options for obtaining a retirement or spouse visa in Thailand for someone living in Australia?
1.9k14122y
What are the best options for obtaining a retirement visa for Thailand while living in Los Angeles?
1.4k8102y
What is the process for obtaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand as an expat, and should I hire an agent?
13.1k981672y
Is it possible for a 76-year-old expat to move to Thailand with a cat and buy a condo in one trip?
16.9k1391923y
What visa should I apply for to relocate to Thailand from Malaysia as a UK resident?
1.1k953y
What are the costs and requirements for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand for a 90-day stay?
2k10273y
Can you obtain income approval for a retirement visa in your home country before moving to Thailand?
1k2163y
Can I apply for a Non-O or Non-OA visa after entering Thailand on a tourist exempt visa?
2.5k19194y
Can I be a dependent on my husband's retirement visa in Thailand while also getting an education for our children?
3k28155y
What should my partner do if his Non-O visa is confusingly treated as Non-OA for COE application?
1.9k14176y
Resources
Need help with your LTR visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served