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Differences of Long Term Residence Visa vs Thailand Elite Visa -Most asked questions 2022

Long Term Residence or Thailand Elite Visa? (PART 1)

With thousands of expatriates of various backgrounds and living situations, living in Thailand can be as straightforward as you’d like it to be. Thaielite-express receives hundreds of questions each day from expats all over the world who are considering making Thailand their second home.

We’re listing the most frequently asked questions on Thailand Elite visa in 2022. Here are the questions.

 

WHAT IS THAI ELITE VISA?

The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa classified as a “tourist visa” (Privilege Entry Visa, or “PE”) given to the Thailand Elite members. This visa entitles holders to benefits and residency in Thailand for a period of 5, 10, and 20 years in exchange for a membership fee. This visa grants 5-year renewable multiple entries with an extendable 1-year length of stay per each entry.

 

HOW DOES THAILAND ELITE VISA PROCESS?

The applicant has to go through the application process and provide all required documents. The application process could take around 4-5 weeks, except for some nationalities which may take around 3 months.

 

HOW TO GET THE THAI ELITE VISA?

Obtain your Thailand Elite visa from legitimate source through officially appointed General Sales Agent. Thaielite Express has been an authorized General Sales and Services Agent since 2013. Apply via ‘Apply now’ or contact us via email at bastien@thaielite-express.com and submit all required documents.

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A THAILAND ELITE VISA?

The applicant must have and maintain to have following qualifications and meets these criteria:

  • 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;
  • Being allowed to stay in Thailand by the immigration laws or any other related laws of Thailand;
  • Holding a foreign passport; and
  • All ages qualified except Elite Ultimate Privilege required age not less than 20 years old

HOW MANY THAILAND ELITE MEMBERS ARE THERE?

Thailand’s Elite Residence Program again set new records in the latest annual results.  The member base grew by 2,149 people, a 28% increase on even the previous year’s record. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record growth and total approvals now number more than 9,000 from 2019 statistics.

 

I WANT TO LIVE IN THAILAND LONG TERM. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ?

There are two options

Long Term Residence LTR Visa

Long-Term Resident (LTR Visa) will be offered to four categories of foreigners:

  • Wealthy Global Citizen: holding at least USD 1 million in assets
  • Wealthy Pensioner: aged 50 years and older who have an annual pension or stable income
  • Work From Thailand Professional / Nomad: Remote workers working for well-established overseas companies
  • Highly Skilled Professional: Professionals or experts in targeted industries working for business entities or higher education institutes or research centers or specialized training institutions in Thailand or Thai government agencies

Thailand Elite Visa

The membership packages start at THB 600,000 with 5-year membership validity.

Stay in Thailand long-term.
With a Privilege Entry Visa
that is valid from
5 years up to 20 years.

Long-Term Residence Long-Term Resident Thailand Elite Long term Visa Thailand

HOW LONG IS THE THAILAND ELITE VISA APPROVAL PROCESS?

Approval in principle will be received 4 to 5 weeks* from application submission.

For nationals of China, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, it would take approximately 3 months.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE WITH MY FAMILY?

Yes. There will be family packages available for you and your family. The fee and validity of membership vary for each package.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAI ELITE VISA WITH MY WIFE?

Yes. There will be family packages available for you and your family. The fee and validity of membership vary for each package.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAI ELITE VISA WITH MY KIDS?

Yes. There will be family packages available for you and your family. The fee and validity of membership vary for each package.

IS THAI ELITE VISA WORTH IT?

Thailand Elite is perfectly suitable for the applicant. The Elite Visa answers to all applicants with numerous privileges to cater to members’ needs. With very little documentation needed, as well as the flexibility of applying from anywhere, regardless of whether 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 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.

 

CAN THAILAND ELITE TRANSFER?

The only member who holds the Elite Ultimate Privileges can transfer the remaining validity to the next member.

 

CAN I GET A 12-MONTH VISA IN THAILAND?

The Thailand Elite visa has a five-year minimum validity period and a maximum stay of one year per visit. The applicant may not need to leave the country, but they must submit a 90-day report to stay in Thailand.

 

CAN YOU WORK IN THAILAND WITH A THAI ELITE VISA?

After becoming an Elite member, to legally work in Thailand, you must apply for 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, investing at least 1 million USD in Thailand either in real estate, a limited or public company, or the stock exchange and being granted a work permit.

 

THAILAND LONG TERM RESIDENCE VISA VS. THAI ELITE VISA

Both programs grant a long-term visa to their applicants, with a multiple re-entry permit, and are renewable. The key differences are the following:

  • Length Flexibility for the Thailand Elite Applicants: LTR is limited to a 10-year visa option, while the Elite offers the choice between a 5, 10 and 20-year with a possibility to extend the 5-year membership to a 20-year membership at any time.
  • No Limitation on Applicants’ Profile for Thailand Elite Members: The Long-Term Visa (LTR) is reserved for very specific categories of foreigners: wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, digital nomads, and highly skilled professionals. The Thailand Elite Visa does not have such limitations based on the applicant’s educational background, work experience, and wealth. There are no investments or health insurance requirements. Contrary to the LTR visa, no proof of current income or residing years requirements to apply for Thai Elite visa.
  • Airport Fast Track Immigration Service: The Thailand Elite and the LTR visa grant fast-track immigration airport service. Only the Thailand Elite membership will be offered VIP airport limousine service (up to 24 trips per year) and special Thailand Elite lounge access.
  • Health Insurance Comparison: A health insurance of a minimum of USD 50,000 in coverage, social security insurance in Thailand, or a deposit of USD 100,000 are required to apply to the LTR visa, while no health insurance is required to apply to Thailand Elite member- no matter the situation or age of the applicant.

I HAVE A WORK PERMIT. CAN I STILL BECOME A THAILAND ELITE MEMBER?

If the applicant wishes to apply for Thailand Elite, they may have to revoke the work permit.

Ready to become a Thailand Elite member? Chat with us now at 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 better comprehend Thai Elite Visa costs and benefits and find a 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, Chinese, and Turkish languages. We reply within 24 hours.

Stay in Thailand long-term.
With a Privilege Entry Visa
that is valid from
5 years up to 20 years.

Contact us directly via WhatsApp

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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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