Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

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

Retirement Visa Felony Conviction Long-term Resident Visa Thai Immigration Thailand Retirement Expat Living Non-O Visa Police Clearance Certificate

Mar 17, 2025

5 months ago

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.

5,109

views

31

likes

131

all likes

39

replies

0

images

20

users

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.

LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) 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.

Pelle Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Bill ********

Hire a lawyer to get it expunged, then no worries.

Like

Reply

Dwayne ********

Wow. You got Social Security at 62, I have to wait till 67. Sorry not answering question, just mindful so young.

Like

Reply

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!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Stan ******

Reply

Martin *********

You need to apply for your retirement Visa after you get here not beforehand

Like

Reply

Stan ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Martin ********

yes!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Stan ******

Reply

Peter **********

some visas ask for a police(crime) clearance certificate, rg non- immigrant OA does

Like

Reply

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!

Like

Reply

Stan ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

Like

Reply

Joseph ****

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. 😅

Like

Reply

Stan ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

much appreciated!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Stan ******

Reply

Peter *******

One very important point to think about is Medical insurance here - check out these people, I can personally recommend them

********************************

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Clare *******

Youll be ok

Like

Reply

Jeff *********

No worries , congratulations 🙏

Like

Reply

Cathy ********

You will be OK xx

Like

Reply

John *******

No issues enjoy your retirement go steady

Like

Reply

Paul ********

You'll have no problems...

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Jim ********

I suggest the

@LTR **************************

. No 90 day reporting, no bank account balance, tax exemptions, etc.

Like

Reply

Steve *********

What is the cost of an LTR Visa? Starting to look at getting a visa for myself.

Like

Reply

Jan ******************

Very good visa if you qualify but the requirements are quite stiff

*********************

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jan ******************

Reply

Jordan *****

You will be fine

Like

Reply

Chris ******

No police check for ret. visa

Like

Reply

Stephen *******

Except for O-A

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Stan ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephen ******

the non-OA. Is that a thing?

Like

Reply

Stephen *******

Yes, obtainable in your home country

Like

Reply

Dean *********

Yes. The OA requires a background check. A police record doesn't mean though that your visa request will be automatically rejected. YMMV.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Dean *********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Is it true that there is a 10-year visa for living in Thailand, and will a criminal record affect my application?

19 comments

8 months ago

Can a person with a past criminal record apply for a marriage visa in Thailand?

50 comments

9 months ago

Will a misdemeanor obstructing justice affect my retirement visa application for Thailand?

11 comments

a year ago

Will a past overstay in Thailand impact future retirement or marriage visa applications?

2 comments

a year ago

Will my past drug arrest affect my entry into Thailand if I apply for a tourist visa?

12 comments

a year ago

What are the legal options for expunging a criminal record to obtain a long-term visa in Thailand?

4 comments

2 years ago

Will having epilepsy affect my retirement visa in Thailand?

11 comments

2 years ago

What are the best visa options and relevant companies for retiring in Pattaya, Thailand?

27 comments

2 years ago

Will my friend with a felony from 10 years ago be allowed entry to Thailand?

19 comments

2 years ago

Will a 30-year-old drink driving conviction affect my retirement visa application in Thailand?

13 comments

2 years ago

Will a past criminal conviction affect my friend's retirement visa application for Thailand?

12 comments

3 years ago

Will a criminal record affect my retirement visa in Thailand?

66 comments

3 years ago

Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand if I have a driving offence pending clearance until November 2024?

19 comments

4 years ago

How can an American citizen open a Thai bank account and obtain a criminal record report for a retirement visa?

23 comments

4 years ago

What are the insurance and criminal record requirements for expats over 65 moving to Thailand?

6 comments

4 years ago

Will my health issues affect my ability to retire in Thailand as an expat?

0 comments

6 years ago

Can I apply for the O-A visa in the USA with a misdemeanor on my police record?

10 comments

6 years ago

What should I do if my retirement visa application is delayed due to a past arrest that was dropped?

41 comments

7 years ago

Is a state or federal criminal record check preferable for a Thailand long stay visa application?

5 comments

7 years ago

Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand with a past criminal record?

35 comments

7 years ago

Will a 17-year-old drink driving conviction affect my visa application for retirement in Thailand?

22 comments

7 years ago

How does a past felony conviction affect Thai visa applications for expats?

21 comments

7 years ago

Do I need a letter of no criminal record for a retirement visa application in Thailand?

3 comments

8 years ago

What are the visa options for permanently staying in Thailand if I am over 50 with some criminal records?

33 comments

8 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.