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10 REASONS THAILAND ELITE WORKS FOR EXPATRIATES INTENDING TO LIVE IN THAILAND

Thai Elite Membership - Southeast Asia business hub

Thai Elite

Thailand, a renown global destination and a prominent Southeast Asia business hub, has continuously gained its reputation as one of the most popular places Westerners look to live and retire. Given the current pandemic and currency exchange rates, many expatriates look to make the most out of their dollar and relocate to this beautiful tropical country.

There’s something special about the land of smiles. The contrasting lifestyles of the modern West and the exotic East works in perfect harmony. Thailand has access to modern comforts, conveniences, delicious foods, amazing shopping experiences, great housing options, affordable medical care, and much more. Thailand’s bountiful nature includes mountains, white-sanded turquoise beaches, and ancient temples, all atdrivable distances and makes living in Thailand acclimatizing. It’s a soulful country where you can’t help but feel alive.

There’s no wonder why many tourists visiting turn into long-term residents, while the country gains further popularity as a hub spot with trendy digital nomads. Many expatriates and digital nomads come to Thailand with the intention of a short visit and end up with extending their stay.

Here are top 10 reasons on how Thailand Elite membership – under the concept of ‘Pay to Stay’- is great for expatriates that are looking for an exclusive long-term residency status for themselves and family members.

Reason 1 Avoid Visa Headaches

With a country that welcome over 40 million tourists annually, Thailand is strict on foreigners that intend to stay long-term. As a foreigner entering Thailand, a limited number of days are allowed per visa entry to Thailand. If you intend to stay longer, you need to apply for visa extension and go through a series of government administrative procedures. Overall, it’s just an avoidable headache.

For those who seek a worry-free life in Thailand, the minimum 5 years Thailand Elite Easy Access membership costs THB 600,000. It means 5 years of visa-free worries, equivalent to THB 10,000 per month. This outlay might even equate to the amount spent on visa runs, without the conveniences and the perks of an actual Thailand Elite membership.

Reason 2 5-20 Years Long-Term Residency

Thailand Elite Membership is a privileged multiple-entry visa that enables non-Thai nationals long-term residency in Thailand from 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years.

There are a total of 7 membership packages are available to match any lifestyle. The Elite Easy Access, Elite Family Excursion, Elite Family Alternative, Elite Privilege Access, Elite Superiority Extension, Elite Ultimate Privilege, and Elite Family Premium. Each membership has its own terms and conditions.

Reason 3 Fast-Track Immigration at the Airport

Thailand Elite membership provides impeccable assistance and service for Thailand Elite members to ensure a comfortable travel and stay within Thailand such as:

Airport Services include Exclusive lounges (arrival & departure)
Personal Greetings and Escort by Thailand Elite Personal Assistants (arrival & departure)
Accelerated processing of immigration and passport with Thailand Elite Personal Assistant
Transfer Service from the airport to hotel or residence location with a limousine (Individual or Group)
With the VIP treatment, a Thailand Elite membership may provide comfortable conveniences for you and your family members. You’ll surely be impressed when you’re greeted at the plane gate with a golf cart by a Thailand Elite Personal Assistance.

Reason 4 Access to Government Concierge

Get ready to utilize Thai Elite services. The government concierges and facilitation services include immigration matters, business network connections, assistance in obtaining a driver’s license, to opening a bank account in a foreign currency. It just makes your life easier and eliminates the whole language-barrier in administrative matters as an expat living in Thailand.

Reason 5 Family Friendly

Coming with family? Not a problem. Thailand Elite membership packages such as the Elite Family Excursion, Elite Family Alternative, Elite Privilege Access, and Elite Family Premium, have great offers for families alike. You could add on your spouse or children for an ad hoc fee.

These memberships will provide your family with a worry-free visa status so you and the rest of your family can enjoy the best life Thailand has to offer.

Reason 6 Retirement in Thailand

The differences between a Thailand Retirement Visa and a Thailand Elite Membership are the following:

Retirement visas consist of a yearly validity, while Thailand Elite visa lasts between 5-20 years.
While on retirement visa, the individual and family members will need to still show up for 90 days’ reporting at the Thai Immigration Bureau while there’re no reporting duties under the Thailand Elite membership.
To upkeep your retirement visa, you’ll have to receive THB 80,000 into your Thai bank account on a monthly basis; requiring an overall THB 800,000 to be brought-in annually. There’s no monthly income requirement for Thailand Elite.
Private medical insurance is mandatory, while it is not as a Thai Elite member.
Retirement Visas will need to be renewed annually, with agents’ fee ranging from THB 20,000-40,000 not including the documentations you’ll have to prepare. For Thai Elite members, no agent fees to upkeep.
Multiple entry into the country: Individuals on retirement visas will have to spend approximately up to THB 6,000 to renew visa and apply for re-entry permit per year. As a Thailand Elite member, you have the multiple-entry visa valid throughout your membership.
The benefits of fast-track immigration, airport limousine, and airport lounges are readily available for Thai Elite Visa members. Retirement Visas do not have access to these.
Both options are allowed a Thai bank account. Only Thai Elite members are allowed USD/EUR/RMB/JPY bank account opening.
Thai Elite members are given availability for Tax ID. Retirement Visa Holders cannot hold a tax ID.

Reason 7 Eliminate 90-Days Reporting Trips to Thai Immigration Bureau

With most of us considering our time worthwhile, being a Thailand Elite member allows for the elimination of 90-days reporting trip to the Thai Immigration Bureau for members living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya & Phuket. Unless you’re someone who likes to spend half a day (or often a full day) in queue to extend your visa in a Thai government building, this is a minor yet relevant perk.

Reason 8 No Offshore Tax Income

Thailand has a generous personal income tax system that does not tax offshore incomes which are not remitted into Thailand making Thailand in general, and Thai Elite Visa in particular, an attractive destination for digital nomads.

Reason 9 World-Class Private Medical Hospital

Thailand has a worldwide reputation of being a medical hub. With the country’s strong healthcare infrastructure and skilled doctors and healthcare professionals, Thailand leads Southeast Asia in providing top-tier medical service for quality and at affordable price.

Since 2002, the country has implemented universal healthcare system for local Thais and the healthcare industry is supported by over 1,000+ public hospitals and 300 private hospitals, not including independent clinics. Thailand’s medical system is renowned for providing services and assortments of advanced treatments such as open-heart surgery, laser eye surgery, organ transplants, cancer treatments, plastic surgery, and many more.

It’s no wonder why US Magazine CEOWORLD ranked Thailand as the sixth best country for best healthcare systems in the world, according to the Bangkok Post.

Reason 10 Great Housing Options

Rental options in Thailand are various. Choose from low-rise apartments, an alleyway townhouse, standalone houses, to a Chaopraya riverside high-rise, all types of accommodations are available around town. Depending on the area one chooses, the price and the quality will vary – but excellent deals can be found. One can even consider choosing a selected real estate project that comes with a complimentary Thailand Elite Membership, starting at a minimum of THB 5.8 million in Phuket and THB 10 million in Bangkok.

Ready to make your move? Chat with us now on www.thaielite-express.com for more information.

Thaielite Express has been an authorized General Sales and Services Agent since 2013.
We hope that with our guide, you can comprehend Thai Elite Visa costs and benefits better and find your suitable option. Should you have any questions, however, please do not hesitate to visit our website for more details on Thailand Elite Visa and Membership, or send your questions directly to us via email: bastien@thaielite-express.com.
We support English, French, German, Japanese, and Chinese languages. We reply within 24 hours.

Stay in Thailand long-term.
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Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Thai elite visa?
The applicant/the Member must have and maintain to have the following qualifications: Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws or any related law of Thailand.(no overstay record) Holding foreign passport. Not having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any countries except for an offense committed through negligence. Not having been adjudicated bankrupt. Not having been declared as a person of unsound mind incompetence, or quasi incompetent.
How long can I stay in Thailand with Elite Visa?
Thailand Elite offer a 5,10 or 20 years membership and ensure the renewal of your visa during the validity of the membership. Each time a member goes through the Thai immigration, he/she will automatically get a one-year visa stamp in his/her passport until expiration of the membership. If the member happens to stay for more than 1-year consecutively in Thailand, then a simple renewal at the immigration office will grant another 1-year visa stamp.
Is Thailand Elite a scam?
The Thailand Elite Visa is a program initiated and approved by the Royal Thai government in 2003. The Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd, which runs the Elite Visa program is a fully owned subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. ThaiElite-Express empowered by HLG Law Firm is an authorized sale agent.
Can I work with Thailand Elite?
After becoming an Elite member and obtaining your Thailand Elite Visa, you can apply anytime to a non-immigrant business visa and a work permit allowing you to work in Thailand. You also have the option of applying to the Elite Flexible Plus, invest at least 1 million USD in Thailand either in real estate, a limited or public company, or in stock exchange, and be granted a work permit.
How do I pay for Thailand Elite?
The payment is required only after submission of your application, the immigration background check by the Thai immigration, and receipt of the Approval Letter by email. Applicants could then choose to proceed to their membership fee by local or overseas bank transfer, credit card or depositing money to Thailand Elite bank account directly.
Is the Thailand Elite visa for Digital Nomads?
The Thailand Elite Visa is perfectly suitable for Digital Nomads. As business or retirement visas are not necessary a good match for digital nomads, the Elite Visa answers to all nomads with numerous privileges to cater members’ needs. With very little documentation needed, as well as the flexibility of applying from anywhere, regardless abroad, on arrival, or within Thailand. The process is seamless and fast. Moreover, from a study by The Instant Group, Bangkok has recently been voted as the world’s second-best city to work in as a digital nomad (best city in Asia). This is down to the innumerable benefits in which Bangkok brings, which are but not limited to; Internet broadband speed, culture, scenery, transportation, weather, affordability, cuisine, and more. Having already welcomed 35 million digital nomads from all over the world, in 2021, it’s forecasted that there would be more arrivals to the Land of Smiles with constant technological and infrastructure improvements.
What is the long term visa available in Thailand?
Applying to a Thailand Elite program is a viable and easy solution to stay and live for a long period of time in Thailand. Only Thailand Elite can offer a 5,10 or 20 years membership and ensure the renewal of the visa during the validity of the applicant membership. As of today, all other non-immigrant visa options are limited to a validity period of 1 or 2 years.
Thailand elite vs Retirement Visa
To retire in Thailand, the Elite Visa is a worry-free option compared to the Retirement Visa from the application, during holding period to the renewable. At the application time, for an Elite, the documentation is minimal, and no medical insurance nor proof of funds is required for instance. During the holding period, Elite members enjoy numerous privileges such as an assistance for their 90 days report, a fast track at the airport immigration, the lounge access and airport limousine, assistance in opening a bank account in local or foreign currency, a 24/7 call center and much more. The Elite Visa offers you an easy renewable of the Privilege Entry Visa for the duration of your membership.
What is the long term visa available in Thailand?
Applying to a Thailand Elite program is a viable and easy solution to stay and live for a long period of time in Thailand. Only Thailand Elite can offer a 5,10 or 20 years membership and ensure the renewal of the visa during the validity of the applicant membership. As of today, all other non-immigrant visa options are limited to a validity period of 1 or 2 years.
Is the Thailand Elite Visa legit?
The Thailand Elite Visa is a legal and legit program under Thai law to stay long-term in Thailand. The “Thailand Elite” is operated by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. It has been initiated in 2003 by the Royal Thai Government itself. The company is fully owned subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.

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