Does doing time for a Felony preclude one from getting a retirement visa

[jackcorbett 2]

I have been asked to get an answer for this question by a friend who's been asked to get answers for another friend. The man did time in a Federal Prison for dealing marijuana in the U.S. from October 1998 until August 2000. Since then I have it he's been a model citizen, not even getting a traffic ticket. When I figure applied for my retirement visa in the U.S. through the Chicago Thai Consulate, among other things I had to get a police report which I got through the Illinois State Police, but for me, no felonies ever.

[Regyai 415]

Dont apply overseas

 

Get a Non Im 'O' in the USA

 

Then convert to retirement in Thailand

 

no police check

 

 

.

[BigDUSA 71]

Tell him to get a local records check at the county court house. Most likely it will come back negative. State Police is a no no as they have a much better database to check.

[js007 795]

Even if a person were to apply in Thailand, what's to say they can't do some sort of a police records check using your passport? Certainly, the immigration people might have that capacity. For example, I've heard of US people being turned back at the border from Canada, as apparently the Canadian immigration is able to hook into the US database(s).

 

J

[mykl 72]

Even if a person were to apply in Thailand, what's to say they can't do some sort of a police records check using your passport? Certainly, the immigration people might have that capacity. For example, I've heard of US people being turned back at the border from Canada, as apparently the Canadian immigration is able to hook into the US database(s).

 

J

 

Depends on what he or she did. And where they did it. I'm fairly certain they share the sexual offender database and drug smuggling database. Whether names of bank robbers and car jackers are available I don't know. Also, many felonies require you to surrender your passport. Just as a rule of thumb, if they will let him on the plane he will be able to enter the country. The airlines have to pay his way back where he came from if he is denied entry so they are pretty careful.

[CPW 0]

And who said Pattaya wasn't full of DRUG DEALING CRIMINALS

[mykl 72]

And who said Pattaya wasn't full of DRUG DEALING CRIMINALS

 

Nobody said that. Why do you ask?

[joekicker 53]

Even if a person were to apply in Thailand, what's to say they can't do some sort of a police records check using your passport?

 

Could and would are similar words but different. Thai immigration will not do any sort of check like this UNLESS they have a specific reason to do one on a specific individual.

 

Of course immigration or the local police or the landlord or the girl friend COULD do some sort of an international or cross-border police records check, and wouldn't even need your passport to do it. But none of them will in the normal course of events.

 

The short answer to the OP's question is that unless the applicant is pretty notorious, his previous criminal background won't affect his stay in Thailand in any manner including getting visa extensions (which is what "retirement visas" are). Note "previous". Anything current can and will be used against him, probably.

[Regyai 415]

For clarification

 

 

If you apply overseas for Retirement visa you HAVE to furnish an 'all clear' written Police Records Check

 

 

If you 'upgrade a Non Imm O' in Thailand......you dont

 

 

 

 

.

[jacko 8,827]

Even if a person were to apply in Thailand, what's to say they can't do some sort of a police records check using your passport? Certainly, the immigration people might have that capacity. For example, I've heard of US people being turned back at the border from Canada, as apparently the Canadian immigration is able to hook into the US database(s).

 

J

What is to say they will? Generally the onus is on you and immigration just stamp everything.

As stated, a retirement visa issued outside LOS, requires a police report, the conversion in LOS, at this time, does not. I believe even people arriving on tourist visas, can get it 'converted into a single NON-Imm O here, then obtain a retirement extension.

 

I think what happens in Canada, is not relevant.

Edited March 19, 2009 by jacko