How to get a police clearance certificate from Thailand

It’s easy to overlook some of the essentials when excited about the prospect of studying in Thailand but there are a few things that need to be done before you get your visa and begin your course and one of these things is obtaining a police clearance certificate. Please see below for a few of the most frequently asked questions in relation to getting a police clearance certificate for an ED Visa in Thailand. The questions detailed below are by no means exhaustive, please refer to our website or call us with any further questions.

Q: What is a police clearance certificate

A: The police clearance certificate is a Thailand criminal record check that details any convictions that the applicant has on their record. This certificate is needed for some types of employment and more often than not as part of the application for an ED Visa in Thailand.

Q: How can I get a police clearance certificate from a local police station in Thailand?

A: You will need to visit the Police Clearance Service Centre in Bangkok and fill in the application form to start. The next stage will be having your fingerprints and photos taken and providing documentation relating to your study course placement. If you choose to obtain your ED Visa through ALA, you can simply give our cover letter to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) requesting a Police Clearance Certificate and they will provide you a receipt and directly dispatch ALA the parcel of Police Clearance Certificate.

Q: Where is the address of the Police Clearance Service Centre in Bangkok?

The address and contact detail are as follow:

Police Clearance Service Center Building 6,
Royal Thai Police, Rama 1 Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan,
Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Tel.: 0-2205-2168- 9
Email: pcs.center@sbpolice.go.th ,
Open Hours: Monday – Friday from 08:30-16:30

Q: How do I get Thai police clearance from overseas?

A: You will need to provide a number of photocopies of relevant documentation including passport, course details and more. Fingerprints taken at the local police station in the place you reside are also required. If you are applying for a student visa for Thailand through ALA and have previously resided in Thailand, please contact us for more information.

Q: How long does police clearance take in Thailand?

A: Police clearance to apply for a student visa for Thailand generally takes around 2-3 weeks. If you plan to study at ALA, you can ask the RTP to send the certificate to ALA directly and we will then forward all your documents and our documentation to the Ministry of Education (MoE) for approval. The approval letter usually takes between 3-4 weeks to be issued.

Q: How long is a police clearance certificate valid for?

A: The Thai police clearance certificate is usually valid for 8-12 months from the date of issue. Any differentials in validity may be dependent on future directives.

Q: How much does it cost for a police clearance certificate?

A: At the time of writing the cost of a police clearance certificate in Thailand is 100 Baht plus a nominal stamp fee.

Although the above list is somewhat condensed, it addresses many of the common questions regarding police clearance and the associated student visa requirements in Thailand. If you have any further questions regarding an ED Visa for Thailand or the raft of study options offered by ALA, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Q: Which nationality needs police clearance certification?

A: if you are looking to apply for a visa in Thailand, Please recheck the list of nationalities that need to get a police clearance certification. In the latest update 2022, there are 67 countries of certain nationalities.