Thailand Elite Visa FAQs
What is Thailand Elite Visa?
The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term Tourist visa for Thailand. It allows affluent foreign visitors and their families unlimited access to Thailand for 5, 10, or 15 years (with 20 years being offered by invitation only).
Who created the Thai Elite Visa?
Thai Elite visas are issued by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration.
What Thailand Elite Visas are available?
There are 4 Thailand Elite Visas:
- Thailand Privilege Visa: GOLD Package - 5 year visa
- Thailand Privilege Visa: PLATINUM Package - 10 year visa
- Thailand Privilege Visa: DIAMOND Package - 15 year visa
- Thailand Privilege Visa: RESERVE Package - 20 year visa (via invitation only)
How much does an Elite Visa Cost?
- Thailand Privilege Visa: GOLD Package - It costs 900,000 THB for 1 person with no annual fee.
- Thailand Privilege Visa: PLATINUM Package - It costs 1.5 million THB for 1 person with no annual fee. Additional family members can apply at 1 million THB / person.
- Thailand Privilege Visa: DIAMOND Package - It costs 2.5 million THB with no annual fee.
- Thailand Privilege Visa: RESERVE Package - It costs 5 million THB with no annual fee. Only available to applicants via invitation.
What are the Thai Elite Visa Benefits?
- The Thai Elite Visa is a 5-year renewable multiple entry visa with an extendable 1-year length of stay per each entry.
- Uninterrupted stay in Thailand for 1 year per visit.
- Introduction to the Privilege Points System, allowing members to spend points to acquire privileges and benefits of their choice.
- The Thai Elite Visa holder can spend small privilege points to be represented by a Thai Elite staff member for 90-day reporting at Thai Immigration Offices.
- Expedited immigration and passport control processing when arriving in Thailand.
- Private transport to and from the airport.
- Exclusive shopping, hotel, resort, and dining access and discounts.
- Benefits available to visiting family and friends.
- Exclusive access and discount to Thailand’s best golf courses and relaxation spas.
- Free annual medical check-up.
What are the qualifications for Thailand Elite?
The applicant for Thai Elite Visa must have and maintain the following qualifications:
- Holder of a valid foreign passport.
- Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws, which means the applicant has no outstanding overstay record in Thailand.
- Not have a current, or history of applying for a Non-Immigrant Volunteer Visa
- No age limit is required for this program.
- Not having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any country except for an offense committed to negligence.
- Not having been adjudicated bankrupt.
- Not having been declared as a person of unsound mind, incompetence, or quasi-incompetence.
Are there any restrictions with nationality when applying for the Thai Elite Visa?
There are some countries that are restricted to apply. Listed below are the countries:
- Africa: Central Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sao Tome, and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sudan.
- Middle East: Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen
- Asia: North Korea, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
What is the application process?
- Contact a registered Thailand Elite Agent.
- Sign (every page) of the pre-filled application form and the (last page) of the PDPA form and return with a scanned copy of your passport profile page and a passport photo (can be a high-quality phone photo but must be on a white background).
- Background check is completed by Thailand Elite & Thai Immigration.
- Await approval and receive an Approval Letter with payment methods.
- Pay the membership fee to Thailand Elite.
- Receive Thailand Elite Privilege membership ID and Welcome Letter. A physical Thailand Elite Privilege Member Card can also be requested at this stage (optional).
- Book an appointment to affix the visa to a passport.
What documents are needed?
During the process, you will need the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Signed application form (sign all pages) + passport profile page(s)*
- Signed Personal Data Protection Act Form (PDPA Form)
- Passport photo or high-resolution photo on a white background
- Family Visas: Marriage Certificate, birth certificates for children or additional family members, or civil union documents
What is the minimum passport validity for this Thai Elite Visa application?
Applicants need to have at least 1 year (no less than 365 days) validity in their passports.
What happens if I do not have the minimum passport validity?
If the validity duration of your passport is insufficient, a visa will be affixed in your current passport with the same expiry date as your passport. When you receive a new passport, an appointment can be made at the Thai Embassy in Bangkok and a sticker will be affixed to the new passport for the balance of the 5-year term.
I have multiple passports. Can I apply for a Thai Elite visa under one passport and affix the following term to a different passport?
No. A Thai Elite Visa is linked to a passport number. If you want to affix a visa to a passport from a different country, you will need to cancel the current visa and apply for a new visa. This will involve a new background check, approval, and payment.
Can I upgrade or extend my Elite Visa?
GOLD, PLATINUM, and DIAMOND are unable to upgrade their memberships. Members of these packages will complete their full term. A person can apply for a new visa at the end of the term. This will require a new application, background check and fee payment to be completed.
If you are a RESERVE package holder, you can choose to extend your membership beyond 20 years by requesting another 5-year renewable, multiple-entry visa.
Holders of an old Thai Elite Visa can choose to upgrade to the new membership packages, or upgrade to a more enhanced version of their old packages to earn the same validity period and privileges.
Can one person apply for multiple people?
If applying for a family visa, one person can be the point of correspondence, but all applicants will need to sign the application form.
If applying for an individual visa, an agent can have a single point of contact, but each person must lodge an individual application.
Is there any income qualification for the applicant to be granted the Thai Elite Visa?
No. Unlike other long-term Thai visas, there are no income or financial requirements for a Thai Elite Visa. You do not need to provide proof of income when applying.
Is there any age limit for an applicant to be granted the Thai Elite Visa?
There is no age limit to apply for any of the available membership options.
How long is the application process?
The application process may take 6-8 weeks depending on your nationality, with 4 to 6 weeks for the background check to be assessed. Application processes have been optimized since the release of the new membership packages.
Do I need to be in Thailand to apply for a Thai Elite visa?
No. People can apply while in Thailand, or in a foreign country. The process can be completed with a registered Thailand Elite Agent while outside Thailand.
Can I apply for the Thai Elite Visa even if I have a tourist visa?
Yes. As long as they haven't overstayed, people in Thailand on a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption can apply for a Thai Elite Visa. The permit to stay or tourist visa can be converted into an Elite visa without leaving Thailand.
Can I work even though I am a Thai Elite member?
No. Working in Thailand requires a work permit. A work permit is not permitted under a Tourist Visa. If you want to apply for a work permit, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant visa. Your Thailand Elite Visa can be paused while you stay in Thailand with a work permit. The Elite visa can be reinstated when the work permit is cancelled.
Can Thai Elite members work for an NGO?
Any type of work in Thailand requires a work permit. This includes volunteer work. A person must have a Non Immigrant B visa and work permit if working for a company or a non immigrant O visa and work permit if working for an NGO.
Will I be approved if I have previously held a Non-Immigrant visa?
At the moment, Volunteer visa will not be approved for a Thailand Elite visa. There is no correspondence from Thailand Immigration if this policy will change.
People who have previously held an Education (ED) Visa may be approved provided that they were able to provide proof of enrollment in the respective academic institution such documents include, but are not limited to:
- Student Certification from school
- Academic Records, grade reports, and attendance record
For more information, please contact Siam Legal.
Can I apply if I have had an "overstay" in Thailand in the past?
If the overstay is fixed (paid) and shows as paid in passport then you are eligible to apply. If there is an outstanding overstay in your passport, you will not be approved for a Thai Elite visa.
How long after approval to get the visa sticker?
After approval, a new member has 30 days to pay the visa fee and organize affixing the visa to their passport. An appointment can normally be made within 3 weeks after the membership payment is cleared.
Do I need to arrive in Thailand as soon as the visa is affixed to my passport?
No. You have 3 months to pay the membership fee and affix the visa to your passport, but you can enter Thailand anytime after your visa is affixed.
How long do visas last?
Visas are issued for 5 years.
- A 10 year visa member will receive 2 x 5-year visas.
- A 15 year visa member will receive 3 x 5-year visas.
- A 20 year member will receive 4 x 5-year stickers in their passport, and can request for additional 5-year visas after their 20-year membership expires.
Where do we get our visa sticker?
Members can affix the visa to their passport in three ways:
- At the local Thai Embassy or Consulate in the member's home country (if abroad).
- At Bangkok airport on arrival (if abroad).
- At the Thailand Embassy in Chaeng Wattana in Bangkok (if already in Thailand).
If I already am a Thai Elite Member, do I need to do the 90-day report?
Yes. All foreigners are required to complete 90-day reporting at Immigration. As a Thai Elite member, by spending a few privilege points, a Thailand Elite Privilege staff member will complete your 90-day report on your behalf so you do not need to attend in person.
What if I failed to do the 90-day report?
It will be considered as an "overstay". You will be liable for any overstay fees, and based on your record of overstaying in the country, you may be subject to a ban or suspension for a particular length of time.
If I have a child, does my child need to have a visa to stay with me in Thailand?
Yes. All foreigners are required to hold a valid visa in Thailand. Children under the age of 15 will not be subject to overstay. An overstay stamp or fine will be noted in the passport of a child under 15.
Is it possible for someone with a Thai Elite Visa to buy real estate in Thailand?
Yes. Foreigners can own a condominium, but not land in their own name. A Thai Elite member can purchase a condominium or buy a house and lease the land. It is recommended to seek legal advice before buying property.
Can I apply for Thai Elite by purchasing property?
No, this promotion has ended since the new "Thailand Privilege Card" has been released, it is no longer possible to apply for the Thai Elite Visa by purchasing property in Thailand.
Can I open a Thai bank account?
Yes. As a Thai Elite member, you will receive assistance to open a bank account in Thailand. Simply spend privilege points on an Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) and they will provide you with this guidance.
Do I need to place savings in a Thai bank account when opening?
No savings need to be placed or held in a Thai bank account when it is opened.
Do I need a Thai mobile number for banking?
Yes. To access your Thai bank account through mobile banking you will need a Thailand mobile number. A phone number is needed before going to the bank. You can acquire these at the nearest Thai cell phone provider.
How long can I stay per visit?
With Thai Elite, you can stay in the country for up to 1 year per visit. If you cannot leave the country at the end of the year, you can contact Thailand Elite Privilege and organise a 1 year extension. This will allow you to stay in the country for 2 years uninterrupted.
Do you have to have a return flight booked for application?
No. Unlike other Tourist Visas, Thai Elite members do not need to provide details of an exit flight because they can stay in Thailand for up to a year.
Do I need to have Medical Insurance for Thai Elite?
No. Medical Insurance is not required to apply for a Thailand ELite Visa. Travel Insurance is recommended for all foreigners coming to Thailand because foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care in the country.
Siam Legal can help organise annual insurance policies for people who are intending to stay in Thailand long term.
How can I pay for the application?
The membership can be done by credit card or wire transfer.
When do I pay for the visa?
A total of 50,000 THB will be asked for the deposit fee as you submit your application. After receiving your final approval, you will be asked to pay the remaining amount of the membership package you selected.
How can I pay the fee?
There are several ways to pay the membership fee. Approved applicants will receive a letter with all payment methods.
- Transfer from a local bank. 1 business day (proof needed)
- Deposit at local bank. Thailand Privilege Card Account (proof needed)
- Mobile Banking (proof needed)
- Credit Card (proof needed)
- Overseas bank - Exact amount in THB. 3-5 days. (proof needed - MT103)
- AliPay - Scan QR code (proof needed)
Do I need to pay a fee when each 5-year visa is issued?
No. If you apply for a 10 or 15-year visa, you will only pay an initial membership fee. You do not need to pay another fee when the following terms start.
Can I pay for Elite with crypto?
It is possible to pay with crypto, but you will need to liaise with an accredited crypto consultant (such as Siam Legal) to facilitate the payment.
Can I pay my membership fee in installments or is it a single payment?
The membership fee must be paid in full. It is not possible to pay for the visa in installments. If your bank has a daily payment limit, you can contact Thailand Elite Privilege and organize the fee to be paid in full over multiple payments.
If I cancel my Thai Elite visa, will I receive a refund of the membership fee?
No. If a visa is canceled, membership fees are not refunded.
Does Siam Legal charge any additional fees as a Thailand Elite Agent?
Siam Legal does not charge any additional fees. Thailand Elite compensates Siam Legal directly for each referral.
Do I pay the membership fee to Siam Legal?
The membership fee is paid directly to Thailand Elite Privilege. Siam Legal can advise and liaise with Thai Elite Privilege but will not handle any transactions.
Can I apply for other people as Power of Attorney?
Yes. If you have enduring Power of Attorney, it is possible to lodge an application form for another person. You will need to provide a copy of all relevant POA documents. The documents must be certified and in English or Thai.
If I transfer money from overseas to a Thai bank account, will I pay tax?
No. You are not required to pay tax on money transferred internationally into a Thai bank account.
Do I need to obtain a Tax Identification Number(TIN) or pay tax if I have a Thai Elite visa?
Thai Elite visa does not require a TIN. Members can apply for a TIN and pay tax in Thailand voluntarily.
Using this program, does one qualify as a Resident of Thailand for Tax purposes?
The Thai Elite membership will not lead to Thailand Permanent Residency. However, members of Thai Elite can pay for income tax in Thailand and obtain a TIN. If you are looking to obtain PR in Thailand, it is best to speak to a Visa Agent about other visa options.
Start Your Application Now!
You may download the Thailand Elite application forms here:
The process of applying for the Thailand Elite Visa seems easy and straightforward. It is the most convenient visa option to travel and enter Thailand with ease during this time or even after this pandemic.
Should you be interested in applying for a Thai Elite Visa, please do not hesitate to contact us. You may call us for a free consultation or contact us via LINE and WhatsApp. Just scan with your phone any of the QR codes below.
Rex Baay | Senior Immigration Consultant
Rex joined Siam Legal in 2009 and throughout his 13 years of experience at the firm, he handled more than 2,000 immigration cases for Thailand. He has great knowledge of Thai non-immigrant visas such as business visas, marriage visas, retirement visas, and Thai Elite visas. He is also handling more complicated cases such as changing visas within Thailand. With a fluent grasp of English, he can provide a simple and easy-to-understand explanation about what to expect at every stage of the Thai Visa application process. He works hand-in-hand with our Thai immigration lawyer in Bangkok to assist foreign clients at the immigration office. His expertise can be invaluable to those in search of immigration assistance to Thailand. Feel free to contact him at our firm.
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