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Gateway to Thailand: Thai Elite Visa (Update May 2023)

Privilege Multiple Entry Visa to Thailand

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.

Is the Thai Elite Visa legit?

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.

Is Thailand Elite Visa worth it?

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.

How many Thailand Elite memberships are there?

Since the launch of the Thai Elite program in 2003, the Thailand Elite members now exceed 20,000+ members.

What are the top countries applying for the Thailand Elite visa?

Chinese, British, American, Japanese, and other a mixture of other nationalities are top applicants for the Thailand Elite visa.

Why is the Thailand Elite Card a success?

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.

Thai elite visa price. How much does a Thailand Elite cost?

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:

Thailand Elite Qualifications for Applicants

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.

What are the benefits of a Thailand Elite visa?

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.

What is the Thai Elite Visa Application Process?

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.

I’m on a tourist visa. Can I apply for a Thai Elite visa?

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.

What is the minimum passport validity required for a Thai elite visa?

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.

Can I hold a work permit on the Thai Elite Visa?

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.

How much income do I need to show to get a Thai Elite card?

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.

I’m moving to Thailand with my whole family. Can I include my wife and children in the membership?

Yes, you can! Thai Elite has the option for couples to add dependents, or family packages to include wife and children.

Check these programs.

Elite Family Excursion (5-year visa for 2 applicants, additional dependents cost THB 300,000)
Elite Family Premium
Elite Family Alternative (10-year visa for 1 applicant, additional dependents cost THB 700,000)

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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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.