Thai Police Clearance Certificate for Foreigners

If you are a foreign national in Thailand and need to prove that you have no criminal record in the country, you must obtain a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate. This could be for a job application, a visa application to another country, or many other kinds of official processes.

On this page, we will cover what a Police Clearance Certificate in Thailand is, when it is required, and how you can apply for one from inside or outside of the country.

What Is the Police Clearance Certificate in Thailand?

A Thailand Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the Royal Thai Police confirming whether you have had any criminal charges during your stay in Thailand and have complied with Thai laws. It is usually valid for 8 to 12 months and is internationally recognized. It is commonly required by foreign governments, employers, and institutions for various situations.

For instance, if you are applying for permanent residency in countries like Canada or the USA, or seeking employment abroad in a security-sensitive position, you may be required to provide a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate to verify your legal standing to be deemed eligible.

Note that this certificate only reports on your record in Thailand. Certain applications may require background checks for each country you have been a resident in, but you’ll need separate certificates from those countries.

When Is the Police Clearance Certificate Required?

The Thailand Police Clearance Certificate is often required for official purposes, including when applying for visas at the immigration office of Thailand and foreign countries. Below are a few situations where you’ll most often be required to obtain one:

• Applications for visas or residency: Most countries will require a Police Clearance Certificate to see if the applicant is of good character and if they pose a danger to their citizens.
• Employment abroad: Most companies will require a Police Clearance Certificate to ensure that international employees have a history of good conduct and will not pose a danger to the company’s employees and reputation.
• Applications to universities or other educational institutions: Some educational institutions will require a Police Clearance Certificate to ensure that international students or employees will not pose a danger to other students and staff.
• Adoption procedures: Adoption agencies will often require a Police Clearance Certificate to ensure that prospective parents are suitable to adopt and care for a child.

Thailand Police Clearance Certificate Requirements

To apply for a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate, you must meet certain criteria and provide the following documents:

• Passport (old and current) with Thai immigration stamps
• Meet ONE of the following conditions:
  • Be a holder or previous holder of a Thai short-stay visa
  • Be a holder or previous holder of a Thai non-immigrant visa or on an extension of stay
• Copy of Thai work permit (if applicable)
• 2 photographs (2 inches x 2 inches)
• A set of original fingerprints

It is important to note that the fingerprints must be taken at the local police station or at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country, and the document must include the official seal and signature of the official taking the fingerprints.

Thailand Police Clearance Certificate Services

If you are applying for a Thai or foreign visa, or seeking employment abroad, retain the services of Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in aiding both local and foreign clients in solving their immigration problems.

We will aid you in gathering all the necessary documents and submit them on your behalf without delay to maximize your chances of success and ensure your plans aren’t delayed by a missing Police Certificate.

Additionally, if you are acquiring this certificate for a visa application, our consultants can help with the entire process. Our end-to-end visa application services will help you easily and swiftly obtain a Thai long-term visa or a foreign visa from Thailand.

Thailand Police Clearance Certificate Application Process

The process for applying for a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate includes several steps depending on your nationality and where in the world you currently are. Regardless of your situation, Siam Legal can simplify the process and help you obtain a Thailand Police Clearance no matter which country you are in.

Our easy step-by-step process:

1. You must first fill out and sign the application form and Power of Attorney, granting Siam Legal the power to submit the application on your behalf.
2. Then, visit a local police station or the local Thai Embassy or Consulate to have your fingerprints taken.
3. Next, we’ll help you gather and mail all the required documents to our head office in Bangkok.
4. Our representative will prepare and submit your application to the Royal Thai Police. The processing time is usually between 7 and 10 days, not including the time it took for the mailed documents to arrive.
5. After the issuance of the Police Clearance Certificate, you will receive a scanned copy for your digital records, while the original document will be mailed to you through a courier or registered mail.

Siam Legal’s services make this process even easier with:

• Expedited processing for the Police Clearance Certificate application
• Special instructions for fingerprint collection
• 24/7 client support
• Aid in obtaining missing required documents from the appropriate agency or company
• Aid in obtaining the record of judgment or court transcript if you have prior criminal records in Thailand
• Rush mailing of your certificate to you

To start the next chapter of your life overseas or in Thailand, get in touch with Siam Legal today.

Service Fee

Here are the prices for our all-inclusive Thai Police Clearance Certificate Services. All payments include 7% VAT and government fees, so you only need to pay once and forget about it.

• For foreigners residing abroad: 
  • 498 USD (Paypal)
  • 16,840 THB (Bank Transfer)

 

• For foreigners residing in Thailand:
  • 339 USD (Paypal)
  • 11,490 THB (Bank Transfer)

Frequently Asked Questions About the Thai Police Clearance Certificate

When do I need a Thai Police Clearance Certificate?

You will normally need to acquire a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate when applying for visas or residency in foreign countries, seeking employment or further education abroad, and when adopting a child.

Is there an eligibility requirement for a Thai Police Clearance Certificate?

To be eligible for a Thailand Police Clearance Certificate, you will either need to have stayed in Thailand on a short-stay visa, a Thai non-immigrant visa, or on an extension of stay. There are no other eligibility requirements.

Where must I get my fingerprints taken for a Thai Police Clearance Certificate?

Your fingerprints must be taken at a local police station or at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country. Alongside providing your fingerprints, you must also have the official seal and signature of the official taking the fingerprints for them to be deemed acceptable.