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Answereda day ago

Will my misdemeanor criminal background affect my visa application to Thailand?

Cody **********
asked Nov 5, 2026
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Criminal background

Was curious on some of your guys thoughts.

In 2007 almost 20 years ago I got into a fight and went to jail for the weekend then did community service, it was a misdemeanor.

The background check says I did 10 days in jail, but I just did community service. I never did 10 days in jail.. 

Do you think the application will get denied for this?

I’m in California, will go through LA.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around concerns about how a past misdemeanor for fighting, which included community service instead of jail time, might impact a visa application to Thailand. Community members suggest that minor misdemeanors typically won't disqualify an application, although any imprisonment, even if misreported, may raise flags. It's noted that Thailand is keen on maintaining a strict immigration process, particularly against serious crimes, so the impact of the misdemeanor could depend on the overall strength of the application and whether there are additional criminal incidents.
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JoyfulF*******
I got denied for a caution for fighting threatening abusive behaviour 16 years ago madness
Dan *******
Don’t bother with the visa, they don’t want people with any sort of criminal background. Thailand is trying to boot out anyone who has broken the law.
BravePers*********
BravePers*********
Regardless of what anyone says you'll try so just try
Dan *******
Dan *******
Yep. You’re screwed. You were

“Imprisoned”! Sorry 😞

Severity Matters: Under Thai immigration principles (such as Section 12(6) of the Thai Immigration Act), petty offenses, minor misdemeanors, or old non-violent offenses without imprisonment are often viewed with more discretion. However, serious crimes, felonies, or convictions resulting in imprisonment carry a high likelihood of visa refusal.
John *******
John *******
@Dan ******
Total scaremongering!
Tongjun **
Tongjun **
@Dan ******
Don’t think so mate
Marcus ******
Marcus ******
No, they’re looking for people who commit financial crimes, drug trafficking, robbery, sexual assault, human trafficking, fighting is low on the list of things that will get you denied unless you have a pattern of committing other crimes.
Paul **********
Paul **********
@Marcus *****
theyre not looking fir any crimes specifically, theyre concerned has to how old your convictions are and whether you served over 12 months prison, this is for permanent visas, not tourists, which i doubt has the same scrutiny
Marcus ******
Marcus ******
@Paul *********
DTV isn’t a permanent visa, they’re trying to weed out criminals. If you have a serious crime on your background check there’s a chance you may be denied, petty crimes are not really a consideration unless you show a pattern of offenses.
Marcus ******
Marcus ******
@Paul *********
👍🏽 agree
Paul **********
Paul **********
@Marcus *****
yeah i know, what i wrote was criteria for permanent visas, so the DTV requirements are even less, a driving offence, fighting or oetty conviction 20yrs ago isnt an issue. Some people think any criminal record is automatic NO
Welsh******
Welsh******
@Marcus *****
where does it state this ?
Marcus ******
Marcus ******
Welsh_Mo666 it’s not stated anywhere, but if you see what are the problems this current administration is focused on via watching the news and reading articles, it’s not hard to draw a conclusion. It is one reason they start requiring criminal check for visa.
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
@Marcus *****
that has no relation to dtv
Marcus ******
Marcus ******
@เดวิด *********
it’s not guess work, you can read around, just do some simple searches. Misdemeanors aren’t a major concern unless you have a pattern of offenses.
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
@Marcus *****
pure guesswork.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
If it's state charges, there's a high chance FBI report won't have it.
1
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 429 it's only 18 dollars, get the report and check if it shows up.
Wolf****
Wolf****
Anonymous participant 429 how do you get that done? I already got my dtv before the rules changed but I figured i would do it when i got back home before i come back just to have
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Wolf7247 you order on fbi website then it will give you options to submit fingerprints. You can have the prints done by Thai police in Bangkok on the US form, then mail to the FBI. Form can be printed from online or better if you're in bkk, pick up forms from guard post at embassy. Get two or 3 sets done at once though to save time in future.
Twa-ts*******
Twa-ts*******
If my check came back saying I did 10 days and I did not, I'd be taking it up with the issuing authority to be corrected.
3
Cody **********
Cody **********
OP
Twa-tsannoyme I’m currently trying, but because it’s 20 years old they have “destroyed the records” I’m trying other options.
Cool****
Cool****
@Cody *********
You should've corrected then, Lot of people go through lawyer and delete those records. However its too late now so you can submit and fingers cross 🤞 for now.
DTV_Be*******
DTV_Be*******
@Cody *********
Not sure why you tell us all that background. Just say your record says you did 10 days and if that is an issue.
Knowledgeab***********
Knowledgeab***********
I think if it’s over 12 months imprisonment, you would have issues.

But I think in your case you’ll be all good. 👍🏻
0
Luit *****************
Luit *****************
KnowledgeableKoala9484 Where did you find that 12 months?
Knowledgeab***********
Knowledgeab***********
@Luit ****************
I seen it on a YouTube video, a guy was extending his visa, went to immigration and they found out he spent 12 months in prison.

They sent him back to his country.
StunningP**********
StunningP**********
Any possibility if you can expunged from records i.e time of offense, age. Pardoned etc. Or just roll the dice for few hundred $

Good luck brother
0
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Yes if you have a server anytime they won’t let you in
1
John *******
John *******
Anonymous participant 556 You haven't got a clue!
Blake ***********
Blake ***********
How old were you when it happened?
0
Navid **********
Navid **********
They are looking for serous crime. Misdemeanor usually doesn't fall into that category. But it can go against you if there other incidents or your application isn't strong. By it self it's not a disqualifier.
3
Luit *****************
Luit *****************
@Navid *********
How do you know what they are looking for?
Kieran *******
Kieran *******
@Navid *********
can I ask what exactly you’re basing this on? I haven’t seen any official sources explaining exactly what they are looking for with the criminal background check so would be good to see it
2
Navid **********
Navid **********
@Kieran ******
Well for one common sense right? Imagine getting arrested when you were 20 for a traffic violation that was dismissed in court with no convinction vs lets say fraud or theft with a felony charge and a conviction plus time in jail. THe first one has a high chance of being approved while the 2nd much lower.
Navid **********
Navid **********
@Kieran ******
Lol sorry i should have posted that along with the original just got lazy.
Kieran *******
Kieran *******
@Navid *********
now you come up with the goods?! 😂
Navid **********
Navid **********
@Kieran ******
No its based on facts here is the printout from thai embassy website. I hope this helps. "What the law says. Thailand’s Immigration Act turns people away if they’ve been imprisoned by the judgment of a Thai or foreign court, other than for a petty offence, a negligence offence or an offence exempted by ministerial regulation. An arrest without a conviction isn’t a sentence, so you’re not in that group. Even people who do have a record aren’t automatically denied. The Thai embassy or consulate handling the application makes the final decision, and may ask for more information or documents"
Kieran *******
Kieran *******
@Navid *********
so it’s just conjecture then? As I thought 🤷‍♂️
Warren *******
Warren *******
Thailand is where criminals from all over the world hide out bud, you be fine😂
7
BouncyPome***********
BouncyPome***********
@Warren ******
facts 😁
0

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