If you’re retiring to Thailand on a long-stay visa, you’ll need an FBI background check. Here’s what the Thai consulate asks for, how the timing works, and what changes in February 2027.
What Thailand Asks For
Most of our Thailand clients are retiring there on the O-A long-stay visa. For that visa, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Los Angeles asks for an FBI criminal record certificate issued within the last three months. The Thai Embassy in Washington says the same. The consulate also says an online criminal record without an authorized signature isn’t acceptable. So a screenshot or a printout of something you looked up won’t do. You need the actual FBI report.
The regular Non-O retirement visa doesn’t ask for a criminal record at all. If you’re going to teach, the teaching visa (Non-B) asks for an FBI certificate issued within three months too. See our guide to the FBI background check for teaching abroad.
Watch the Three Months
Three months goes quickly, so don’t start the FBI check too early. We submit your fingerprints to the FBI electronically, which is the fastest way to get the report. That lets you time it close to your application.
Apostille or Legalization?
Until 28 February 2027, Thailand isn’t part of the Apostille Convention, so U.S. documents going there are legalized instead. For an FBI report, the U.S. Department of State certifies it first, then the Royal Thai Consulate legalizes it. The Los Angeles consulate currently takes these by mail only, at $15 per seal, in about 5 to 7 business days.
From 28 February 2027, Thailand joins the Apostille Convention. After that, the FBI report just needs an apostille from the U.S. Department of State, with no consulate step.
The consulate’s visa page doesn’t say whether the FBI report has to be legalized for the O-A application itself. Check the checklist you get when you apply on Thailand’s e-Visa website, and ask the consulate if it isn’t clear.
State Background Check or FBI?
You may see older advice saying a state background check works for Thailand. The Los Angeles consulate’s current checklist asks for the FBI check, so that’s what we recommend for the O-A visa. We’ve written more about the state-or-FBI question in Thailand Background Check: Can I Use a State Record or Do I Need the FBI?
Already in Thailand?
You can get fingerprinted at a local police station on FD-258 cards and mail them to us with a copy of your passport and the signed FBI form. We check everything before it goes to the FBI. Our guide to the FBI background check from abroad explains how it works.
How We Handle It
We take your fingerprints in Los Angeles or come to you, submit them to the FBI, and take care of the U.S. Department of State step. When everything’s ready, we mail it to you, including to Thailand. For every step in detail, see our step-by-step guide. Call or text (310) 526-0200.
