Topic: VISA's extended without a background check or not?

[SusanRichardson]

Has anyone heard of a teacher actually being denied an extension of his/her VISA because of a lack of a police clearance?

This question still remains unclear and unanswered other than "depends on the wind".

No one cares of course unless SHE is the one about to need the extension. If it, the extension, is likely to be denied some would like a few weeks notice. But, as is all to often the case, such matters are dealt with by Thai staff at the last moment/days.

We(a group of three) who come from western countries are also a bit perplexed how the Thai's know better how our system works in this regard. The general "go to your embassy" remarks are made tersely and without compassion for the reality of how it works. It is not so simple as walking to the embassy window, requesting the document, getting it, and leaving said window. They also seem to think countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, and and even China, have the same records of criminals as England and the USA. We are at the point of saying "get it yourself" but of course this would be going against Thai culture and complaining.

So, again, I'm brought here to your forum and asking the simple question. Are teachers actually being denied and run out of the country if they don't have access to the records from Scotland Yard and the F.B.I. ?

Thanks for any insight beyond "you never know", "try and find out", etc.. Susan

[Topper]

Nope, never heard of it Susan.  Typically the police clearance is required to get your TL and WP.   If you already have these, then immigration doesn't care.   

I extended my visa and my wife extended her non-o with no problems and was out of there in less than 20 minutes.

[Johnny Rotten]

I haven't heard of it being asked for by the MoE/MoL/Immi in Chiang Mai. Some schools have requested teachers to obtain though. Thai consulate/embassy websites state either you will need in Thailand or you need now for your non-imm B application. Nobody knows for sure.

[hero]

The only place I ever heard it mentioned was on internet discussion forums

[bomha]

For what it is worth, those internet forums have always cited examples of foreign teachers in Thailand who were getting their first TL, WP, B visa, etc.  In one example after another - in every case I can remember ever noticing in the last two years - no one who RENEWS their paperwork has reported a requirement for police record checks.  No one.

My older friends were terrified this year that they would not get their retirement extensions approved.  They all got extended.  The rumours, tumours, bloomours, etc., were all exaggerations.

Of course, Susan R., unfortunately, nothing is ever certain in Thailand.  The November rains may not have ended.