IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Immigration authorities are requesting police clearance certificates from visa applicants from 47 African countries.

What does the change mean? Affected applicants must obtain police clearance certificates in order to have their applications processed. The requirement applies to applications filed at the Immigration Bureau, the One-Stop Service Center and provincial immigration offices; it does not apply to companies under the Board of Investments, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, or the Department of Minerals and Fuels. Obtaining a police clearance certificate takes approximately 10 to 15 business days.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing. The change was implemented earlier this year.
  • Visas/permits affected: Initial and renewal long-term visa applications.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals from 47 African countries applying for long-term visas.
  • Next steps: Authorities may extend the requirement to additional countries, but they have not done so thus far.

Additional information: Those who require a police clearance certificate must make an in-person appearance at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok.

The countries whose nationals are affected by the new requirement are:

Countries Affected
Angola

 

 Central African Republic

 

 Eritrea

 

 Kenya

 

 Mozambique

 

 Seychelles

 

 Swaziland

 
Benin

 

 Chad

 

 Ethiopia

 

 Lesotho

 

 Niger

 

 Sierra Leone Tanzania

 
Botswana

 

 Comoros

 

 Gabon

 

 Liberia Nigeria Somalia

 

 Togo

 
Burkina Faso

 

 Côte d’Ivoire

 

 Gambia

 

 Madagascar

 

 Republic of the Congo

 

 South Africa

 

 Uganda

 
Burundi

 

 Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

 Ghana

 

 Malawi

 

 Rwanda

 

 South Sudan

 

 Zambia

 
Cape Verde

 

 Djibouti

 

 Guinea

 

 Mali

 

 São Tomé and Príncipe

 

 Sudan

 

 Zimbabwe

 
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Guinea-Bissau

 

 Mauritius

 

 Senegal

 

Analysis & Comments: The change will add an additional step to the visa application process for nationals of most African countries. Employers and employees should note that the process of obtaining the police clearance takes between 10 and 15 business days; employers may need to adjust timelines, and employees should manage their travel plans accordingly.

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