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[toptuan]

Loaded, on 2007-01-08 17:57:14, said:

Fortunate for Bin Laden who doesn't have a criminal record from his home country. He could come here and teach evil.

You're just Loaded with comforting thoughts. Thanks.

[paully]

You'll need to get one of these from your local police constabulary if you're from the UK:
"A subject access form should be completed for: -
immigration purposes (*1)
to assist in obtaining a visa (*1)
Personal information (*2)"

Apparently, it takes up to 40 days and costs £10 payable from a UK bank.
The value of this is questionable - you're really supposed to get an enhanced disclosure certificate from the CRB at a cost of £35 if you intend to teach 'children or vulnerable adults' in the UK or abroad. This gives access to more possible details about you, such as sex offender lists.

Edited by paully, 2007-01-10 20:39:07.

[Hadrian1]

Hadrian1, on 2007-01-08 20:52:03, said:

I don't think you can get one as a member of the public. I don't think that even organisations from other member EU states can get this information.

OK......I am willing to admitt that it seems that I was wrong. Apologies. Things appear to have moved on in the last couple of years or so.

[garp]

I do hope this doesn't apply to renewals.
I have been in the system for 6 years.
Never even left the country for a day in all that time.
Not been in the UK for 10.
I can't even remember my last address in the UK.

Utterly impractical.

[paulmw]

garp, on 2007-01-11 09:26:55, said:

I do hope this doesn't apply to renewals.
I have been in the system for 6 years.
Never even left the country for a day in all that time.
Not been in the UK for 10.
I can't even remember my last address in the UK.

Utterly impractical.

Hi Garp.
Same problem but was informed by Thai consulate in Savanaket Lao I need a UK background check as well as a Thai one now so came back on a 60 day tourist visa.
Mailed Brit Embassy twice about this FA came back not even an acknowledgment from them.
So ?????????????????

Paul

[Etrigan]

I just renewed my non-imm B a few days ago in Suan Phluu centre, nothing was mentioned nor posted there. My passport was stamped as it has been for the last decade. So, what's going on?

[Boatabike]

I have just returned from my local Immigration office where I asked about this subject. As far as they were concerned, for the renewal of my contract and new visa, all would be as it was last year. They knew nothing about the criminal record paper at all.
This in itself does not surprise me. They have however said they will ask about it and let me know in plenty of time if this is going to affect those already in the loop or just new applicants.

Just because they were unaware of it does not mean diddly squit of course. A local office in the sticks is often the last to know anything! However, for now it looks to me as if those in the loop are just that, I hope this remains to be my thoughts come next April when I renew my contract. If asked to go to the UK for a piece of paper it may very well be the straw that breaks this camels back.

[Ijustwannateach]

From what I can see on this and other Thai teaching forums, all is confusion and clear as mud. Different institutions and agencies have issued or received different guidelines regarding police check requirements, and though many individuals have not had to produce them, a few have. Things are as clear as mud. If you can afford a gamble, then come ahead.

"Steven"

[markg]

Please dont be confused. There are two types of checks in the UK.

One is the Police check under the disclosure of information in the Data Protection Act. This is NOT valid for working in schools in the UK and specifically states is not valid abroad. This check is the one that costs 10 pounds and you can do it yourself by post. Its kinda just for your own benefit to see all your convictions and also to see if you're wanted. Mine came back on a letterheaded A4 piece of paper with one sentence on it. "We have no knowledge of you "
Or was it "Bailiff, whack his pee pee"

The other check, and the one we need to concern ourselves as teachers in Thailand, is the CRB check. This is the one that CANNOT be done by yourself but has to be done by your school or some other organisation. It checks the Police National Computer (as per the police check above) PLUS it checks on other data bases, like the sexual offenders register and some other Department of Education blacklist databases.

Just wanted to point that out.
Still doesnt clarify much from the point of view that the CRB check will take 6 weeks, not counting postage both ways. Thats 8 weeks. Then you have to apply for a none B somewhere, then the Teachers licence, then the work permit.

We are advertising for jobs starting in August..................if you apply now you might just make it......................
Mark

[Jonson83]

markg, on 2007-01-11 16:32:14, said:

Please dont be confused. There are two types of checks in the UK.

One is the Police check under the disclosure of information in the Data Protection Act. This is NOT valid for working in schools in the UK and specifically states is not valid abroad. This check is the one that costs 10 pounds and you can do it yourself by post. Its kinda just for your own benefit to see all your convictions and also to see if you're wanted. Mine came back on a letterheaded A4 piece of paper with one sentence on it. "We have no knowledge of you "
Or was it "Bailiff, whack his pee pee"

The other check, and the one we need to concern ourselves as teachers in Thailand, is the CRB check. This is the one that CANNOT be done by yourself but has to be done by your school or some other organisation. It checks the Police National Computer (as per the police check above) PLUS it checks on other data bases, like the sexual offenders register and some other Department of Education blacklist databases.

Just wanted to point that out.
Still doesnt clarify much from the point of view that the CRB check will take 6 weeks, not counting postage both ways. Thats 8 weeks. Then you have to apply for a none B somewhere, then the Teachers licence, then the work permit.

We are advertising for jobs starting in August..................if you apply now you might just make it......................
Mark

Thanks for pointing that out m8.

I was starting to get really annoyed with all the speculative,conflicting nonsense being posted on this thread

[grtaylor]

From the CRB website http://www.crb.org.u...t.aspx?page=381

Quote

The current legislation does not allow the self-employed or individuals to apply for a CRB check on themselves.

Reading this, and other information on their website, I take it to mean that the only people who can apply for a CRB check on you are "registered bodies".

Quote

A Registered Body is an organisation that is registered with the CRB.

These organisations are entitled to ask exempted questions under the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 Exceptions Order 1975 or will countersign applications on behalf of people or organisations who themselves are entitled to ask exempted questions.

I doubt that any organisation in Thailand qualifies as a "registered body".

As far as I know, the document mentioned by the OP is the one a friend of mine had to get recently, having taught in Thailand for three years, in order to get a job teaching in the EU, to confirm she had no criminal record IN THAILAND.

G

[paully]

^ It's UK police reports they want (assuming you're from the UK) - as markg pointed out - confirming your record in the UK, not Thai police reports. You're correct about the CRB though, it's only effectively accessable by registered employers.

[Hadrian1]

It looks like I possibly wasn't so wrong after all....As I said before, the CRB check wasn't available for other member EU states up until as recent as 4 years ago.......Not sure of the situation now. I doubt if it will be avaiable to Thai organisations.

[grtaylor]

Nothing on the British Embassy, Bangkok website. However, from the website of the British Trade and Culture Office (i.e. the "Embassy") in Taiwan:

Quote

At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility.

Looks like thats all you can get overseas. This is what I have just got for an application for Permanent Residency in Thailand. So far, its been accepted.

G

Edited by grtaylor, 2007-01-12 05:16:47.

[paulmw]

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 05:13:56, said:

Nothing on the British Embassy, Bangkok website. However, from the website of the British Trade and Culture Office (i.e. the "Embassy") in Taiwan:

Quote

At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility.

Looks like thats all you can get overseas. This is what I have just got for an application for Permanent Residency in Thailand. So far, its been accepted.

G

Hi G.
Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa was informed all new B visa applications need a home country police back ground check + a Thai one.

E mailed Brit Embassy BKK 3 times nothing has ever come back not even an acknowledgment.
So how dow go about getting this Uk check & whtthe cost? G.
Haven't been back to the UK for 6 yrs left 9 yrs ago to come here.

[grtaylor]

I've just written it up for my school for any new teachers. I've never uploaded a document here before but I'll try

paulmw, on 2007-01-12 09:52:14, said:

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 05:13:56, said:

Nothing on the British Embassy, Bangkok website. However, from the website of the British Trade and Culture Office (i.e. the "Embassy") in Taiwan:

Quote

At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility.

Looks like thats all you can get overseas. This is what I have just got for an application for Permanent Residency in Thailand. So far, its been accepted.

G

Hi G.
Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa was informed all new B visa applications need a home country police back ground check + a Thai one.

E mailed Brit Embassy BKK 3 times nothing has ever come back not even an acknowledgment.
So how dow go about getting this Uk check & whtthe cost? G.
Haven't been back to the UK for 6 yrs left 9 yrs ago to come here.

Attached Files

•  Application_for_Police_Record_Check_for_the_United_Kingdom.doc   32.5K   69 downloads

[legaleagle]

I live and work in Vietnam in the role of a Manager and de facto HR Manager. Thus, I have spent significant time and effort sorting out the home country criminal check issue. Vietnam is doing a far better job of guaranteeing that one's criminal report is not manufactured on photoshop, as a criminal check requires notarisation at the source, confirmation of the notary by the state, and finally authentication by the VN Embassy within one's home country. This procedure also applies to certification of one's degree. The procedure is far more detailed and reliable than the proposed Thai, as there are several additional steps included. In my opinion, the current Thai requirements, while more onerous than before, are not impossible to follow.

From my experience, it is very easy for Aussies to get the criminal check completed, via the Australian Federal Police. A couple of weeks and you are done. Americans should go to their home state to request a criminal check. Almost every state will issue such a report, with California being the toughest to acquire. The time is approximately one month. UK citizens have the most problematic situation, due to the confidentiality issue which is indeed somewhat more strict than the US or Oz. In addition, it is/was the case that the UK passport was required to be sent to Scotland Yard for several months, during which time you were living in Thailand sans passport. For the UK citizen, I would recommend that you get a solicitor to pull your record (under a power of attorney, i.e., they are you) as the Embassy/Consulate is likely of little help. It sounds like a previous poster may be on to something, with the local constable report, and you might wish to pursue that if possible. Of course, sitting down with a cop you know in Blighty may allow you to walk out the door with a letter/report in the same day.

You should always use FedEx for these reports, as then you can track the package and also save time. Include return labels for the return of the package to you.

The final recommendation I would make is that everyone reading here start TODAY on this, and down the road you'll already have your letter/report when you need it.

Best of luck.

[mopenyang]

legaleagle, on 2007-01-13 09:02:32, said:

I live and work in Vietnam in the role of a Manager and de facto HR Manager. Thus, I have spent significant time and effort sorting out the home country criminal check issue. Vietnam is doing a far better job of guaranteeing that one's criminal report is not manufactured on photoshop, as a criminal check requires notarisation at the source, confirmation of the notary by the state, and finally authentication by the VN Embassy within one's home country. This procedure also applies to certification of one's degree. The procedure is far more detailed and reliable than the proposed Thai, as there are several additional steps included. In my opinion, the current Thai requirements, while more onerous than before, are not impossible to follow.

From my experience, it is very easy for Aussies to get the criminal check completed, via the Australian Federal Police. A couple of weeks and you are done. Americans should go to their home state to request a criminal check. Almost every state will issue such a report, with California being the toughest to acquire. The time is approximately one month. UK citizens have the most problematic situation, due to the confidentiality issue which is indeed somewhat more strict than the US or Oz. In addition, it is/was the case that the UK passport was required to be sent to Scotland Yard for several months, during which time you were living in Thailand sans passport. For the UK citizen, I would recommend that you get a solicitor to pull your record (under a power of attorney, i.e., they are you) as the Embassy/Consulate is likely of little help. It sounds like a previous poster may be on to something, with the local constable report, and you might wish to pursue that if possible. Of course, sitting down with a cop you know in Blighty may allow you to walk out the door with a letter/report in the same day.

You should always use FedEx for these reports, as then you can track the package and also save time. Include return labels for the return of the package to you.

The final recommendation I would make is that everyone reading here start TODAY on this, and down the road you'll already have your letter/report when you need it.

Best of luck.

Has the Vietnamese government issued all these instructions in English? If it has, how about providing a link?

[grtaylor]

I guess a solicitor in the UK could do it for you, but they won't be able to get any more than you can yourself. It will be the same "Subject Access Report". As I quoted before, private citizens cannot access their CRB record, only registered prospective employers or agencies.

G

legaleagle, on 2007-01-13 09:02:32, said:

I live and work in Vietnam in the role of a Manager and de facto HR Manager. Thus, I have spent significant time and effort sorting out the home country criminal check issue. Vietnam is doing a far better job of guaranteeing that one's criminal report is not manufactured on photoshop, as a criminal check requires notarisation at the source, confirmation of the notary by the state, and finally authentication by the VN Embassy within one's home country. This procedure also applies to certification of one's degree. The procedure is far more detailed and reliable than the proposed Thai, as there are several additional steps included. In my opinion, the current Thai requirements, while more onerous than before, are not impossible to follow.

From my experience, it is very easy for Aussies to get the criminal check completed, via the Australian Federal Police. A couple of weeks and you are done. Americans should go to their home state to request a criminal check. Almost every state will issue such a report, with California being the toughest to acquire. The time is approximately one month. UK citizens have the most problematic situation, due to the confidentiality issue which is indeed somewhat more strict than the US or Oz. In addition, it is/was the case that the UK passport was required to be sent to Scotland Yard for several months, during which time you were living in Thailand sans passport. For the UK citizen, I would recommend that you get a solicitor to pull your record (under a power of attorney, i.e., they are you) as the Embassy/Consulate is likely of little help. It sounds like a previous poster may be on to something, with the local constable report, and you might wish to pursue that if possible. Of course, sitting down with a cop you know in Blighty may allow you to walk out the door with a letter/report in the same day.

You should always use FedEx for these reports, as then you can track the package and also save time. Include return labels for the return of the package to you.

The final recommendation I would make is that everyone reading here start TODAY on this, and down the road you'll already have your letter/report when you need it.

Best of luck.

[paulmw]

Thanks for the link grtaylor.
Good mind to E the foreign office over the lack of help from the embassy.

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 17:19:57, said:

I've just written it up for my school for any new teachers. I've never uploaded a document here before but I'll try

paulmw, on 2007-01-12 09:52:14, said:

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 05:13:56, said:

Nothing on the British Embassy, Bangkok website. However, from the website of the British Trade and Culture Office (i.e. the "Embassy") in Taiwan:

Quote

At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility.

Looks like thats all you can get overseas. This is what I have just got for an application for Permanent Residency in Thailand. So far, its been accepted.

G

Hi G.
Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa was informed all new B visa applications need a home country police back ground check + a Thai one.

E mailed Brit Embassy BKK 3 times nothing has ever come back not even an acknowledgment.
So how dow go about getting this Uk check & whtthe cost? G.
Haven't been back to the UK for 6 yrs left 9 yrs ago to come here.

[paulmw]

Thanks for the link grtaylor.
Good mind to E the foreign office over the lack of help from the UK embassy.
The next problem is a tenner cheque don't have any contacts or bank in the Uk, burnt all my bridges when I left.
But thanks now on the right track

I don't think this is just for newbee's.
If u are changing contracts ( new school) with no teachers licence which I was.
You are going to come up against this.

Thanks again grtaylor.

Paul

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 17:19:57, said:

I've just written it up for my school for any new teachers. I've never uploaded a document here before but I'll try

paulmw, on 2007-01-12 09:52:14, said:

grtaylor, on 2007-01-12 05:13:56, said:

Nothing on the British Embassy, Bangkok website. However, from the website of the British Trade and Culture Office (i.e. the "Embassy") in Taiwan:

Quote

At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility.

Looks like thats all you can get overseas. This is what I have just got for an application for Permanent Residency in Thailand. So far, its been accepted.

G

Hi G.
Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa was informed all new B visa applications need a home country police back ground check + a Thai one.

E mailed Brit Embassy BKK 3 times nothing has ever come back not even an acknowledgment.
So how dow go about getting this Uk check & whtthe cost? G.
Haven't been back to the UK for 6 yrs left 9 yrs ago to come here.

[paulsmithson]

Not sure if this is the same thing but here in the UK I paid a tenner early december and this week recieved a statement from the police that I have no criminal record.

[grtaylor]

Yes, that will be the same thing.

G

paulsmithson, on 2007-01-13 22:56:07, said:

Not sure if this is the same thing but here in the UK I paid a tenner early december and this week recieved a statement from the police that I have no criminal record.

[markg]

legaleagle, on 2007-01-13 09:02:32, said:

UK citizens have the most problematic situation, due to the confidentiality issue which is indeed somewhat more strict than the US or Oz. In addition, it is/was the case that the UK passport was required to be sent to Scotland Yard for several months, during which time you were living in Thailand sans passport.

When i got my subject access done last year, i had a photocopy of my passport notarized at a local legal firm, who also included the solicitors credentials etc and tied it all together with a golden ribbon. It was about 500 baht. The cops in England accepted this.
However - as i have mentioned before, i believe that this check is technically not valid for use abroad and we should get the CRB check done. The Thai's probably wont realise this though so i reckon you would get away with the Subject access check.
Good luck

[grtaylor]

My point in an earlier message was that, as far as I know you cannot get a UK CRB check abroad, as its not available to private citizens, only to registered UK organisations or agencies. See their website (CRB).

The website I quoted earlier (British Trade and Culture Office, Taipei) says the following:
"At present, the UK authorities do not provide police clearance certificates. Applicants can however apply for a subject access reply under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is accepted by most foreign authorities in the absence of any other facility." (my highlight)

G

markg, on 2007-01-17 09:17:12, said:

However - as i have mentioned before, i believe that this check is technically not valid for use abroad and we should get the CRB check done. The Thai's probably wont realise this though so i reckon you would get away with the Subject access check.
Good luck