Thailand has been a popular tourist destination, thanks to its diverse attractions, culture, and vibrant nightlife. We also know that the Land of Smiles has much more to offer beyond tourism. Thailand is making rapid strides in infrastructure development. The country’s equipped with a robust export, an increasingly skilled workforce, and supportive policies for businesses and entrepreneurship.
To further promote the country’s benefits, the Thai Government has launched the Thailand Elite Residence Program to attract affluent travelers, businessmen, and expat families. This residency program allows foreigners to live in Thailand and enjoy its privileges for a membership fee. Within this blog, we’ve outlined some key details about the Thai Elite card that you’ll want to know.
We’ve been asked many questions about this. The program is managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited (TPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. The program is valid under Article 17 of the Immigration Law B.E. 2522 (2003). The Thailand Elite Residence Program is legit, and currently still a leading long-term multiple-entry visa program for expatriates looking for a solution to live in Thailand.
The value is entirely based on you: from a five-year visa at THB 600,000 for a single membership, or twenty (20) years at THB 1 mil (i.e. cost per year of 50,000 THB). To apply for this, you simply need your passport, photo, and a few basic documents. You will only need to make a full payment once Thailand Elite approves your submission application.
You will then be granted a multiple-entry visa to Thailand and be serviced by Thailand Elite to report your check-in at immigration. As a Thailand Elite member, you’ll be entitled to private luxury airport transfer, fast-track immigration, as well as many other benefits. The Thailand Elite membership eliminates all your immigration concerns and allows you and your family time to enjoy living in Thailand.
For other long-term visas such as the 10 years’ Long-Term Residence (LTR), the scheme under the Board of Investment (BOI), and retirement visa will require the applicant to meet certain criteria to qualify. Going this route, one must be prepared for much more paperwork.
Ordinary employment, retirement or spouse visa must be renewed every year. Business or student visa for adults are rarely issued for more than 3 or 6 months.
Since the launch of the Thai Elite program in 2003, the Thailand Elite members now exceed 20,000+ members.
Chinese, British, American, Japanese, and other a mixture of other nationalities are top applicants for the Thailand Elite visa.
According to Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism of Thailand, Thailand is receiving luxury tourists from all over the world regardless of any global economic situation. The ease of documentation, non-insurance requirements, and the options to include dependents have been important factors attracting the segment to consider living in Thailand for a longer term through the Thailand Elite visa. After all, attending business meetings, investing, or buying real estate in Thailand does not require work permits.
The Thailand Elite program offers seven membership options varying in visa durations, airport transportation services, to the addition of family members or other direct dependents. The applicant can choose between five, ten, or twenty-year visas.
For instance, a non-refundable payment of THB 1,000,000 applies for a 20-year visa, THB 800,000 for a 10-year visa, and THB 600,000 for a 5-year visa.
You can access the membership options here:
The program has the following qualifications for interested applicants.
Applicant must have sufficient financial resources, be of sound mind and health, comply with Thai immigration laws, hold a foreign passport, and have not overstayed in Thailand. Additionally, the applicant must not have been declared bankrupt, sentenced to imprisonment (except for negligence), or have any other criminal record.
No insurance is needed for the application.
Thailand Elite offers complimentary value services depending on the chosen option, such as assistance by an Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) at select airports in Thailand, annual health check-ups at private hospitals, and complimentary or discounted spa, golf, dining, and shopping services with various outlets.
The Thai Elite member will be represented by a Thailand Elite official on the 90-day reporting at the immigration.
The applicant can apply by submitting a soft copy of the application form and passport to an authorized Thai Elite visa agent. Thaielite-Express has submitted and processed hundreds of successful cases since 2013. Thailand Elite Office will then do a thorough background check and other processes before issuing an approval letter back to the authorized Thai Elite agent. Once the issued letter is received by the applicant, a one-off payment will be made to Thailand Elite Office then followed by the issuance of a Thailand Elite membership ID and visa reception formalities.
In general, the Thailand elite visa process takes approximately 4-8 weeks.
Tourist visas can easily be upgraded to the Special Privilege Thai Elite visa, as long as there has been no record of overstaying in Thailand.
The minimum validity required is 12 months remaining in your passport to start the Elite application process. Make sure you have at least 3 blank pages.
Being on a Thai Elite visa means you are not allowed to have a work permit. A Thai Elite visa is generally classified as a tourist visa, so you will need to cancel your Non-Immigrant visa before your Thai Elite Visa initiates.
There is no amount required to show or declare with the Thailand Elite card. If you can pay the fee and have not declared bankruptcy, you are eligible to apply for the visa.
Yes, you can! Thai Elite has the option for couples to add dependents, or family packages to include wife and children.
Check these programs.
I bought a condo in Thailand. Am I eligible for a Thailand Elite?
According to the Elite Flexible One program, the purchase of a 10 million+ THB condo must be made through Thailand Elite participating real estate developers. Only then you will receive the complimentary 5-year Thai Elite visa valued at 600,000 THB as an additional benefit.
To browse through the approved condo listing, please contact us at +66 2 670 1848 or bastien@thaielite-express.com.
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