Thailand Elite Visa is a special type of long-term multiple entry visa categorized under a tourist visa, and is officially called ‘Privilege Entry Visa’. This type of visa is exclusively available only for Thailand Elite members, and it is considered to be among, if not, the best options for a foreigner who intends to stay long-term in Thailand but not for work.
Who and why should apply Thailand Elite ‘Privilege Entry visa’ over other types of visas?
Thailand Elite application process is very simple and does not require applicants to present a financial statement, a medical record nor to deposit and maintain a certain amount of funds in the account for long period. Thailand Elite members will get a 1-year stamp of stay permit per each entry to Thailand. With an annual 1-year stay extension service available, Thailand Elite member is entitled to have a long-term stay in Thailand without having to worry about any immigration hassles at all.
Thailand Elite visa and privileges are most suitable for the following people;
- Settled life after retirement in Thailand
- Stay long-term in Thailand without the intention of working
- A frequent traveler to Thailand
- Digital nomads, Cryptocurrency/ stock investors who want to live in Thailand
- To have the family live in Thailand
- Business people who use Thailand as a hub for business trips around Asia
- Long-term Eco tourism / Muay Thai apprentice
- Those who have Thailand as their second home/vacation home
What makes Privilege Entry Visa the best option to stay long-term in Thailand?
Thailand Elite ‘Privilege Entry Visa’ visa is issued with 5 years validity from the get-go and as it is a multiple entry visa, it allows the holder to travel to and from Thailand as many times as possible during visa validity. Elite visa holder gets a 1-year stay permit stamp on every arrival to Thailand.
While other types of Thai visas required the visitor to complete a 90-day report in person at the immigration office or do it through agents, Thailand Elite provide free of charge 90-day report service for all of its members and it can be done just by dropping off the passport and form at Thailand Privilege Card head office or through services partners located across main cities of Thailand.
To get a long-term visa in Thailand, you will have to be a student, an expatriate in Thailand, married to a Thai person, own a business (or business) in Thailand, or be old enough (over 50 years old) to apply for a Long Stay (or so-called Retirement visa). If you do not fit in any of these categories, then it is nearly impossible to have a hassle-free long life stay in Thailand, as you will have to either leave Thailand and come back for another 15-30 days stay permit, or to complete a cross border visa run at your own risk.
Comparison of Tourist Visa vs 10 Years Long Stay visa vs Thailand Elite
| Tourist Visa | Long Stay 10 years visa (Non- Immigrant O-X visa) | Thailand Elite (Privilege Entry Visa) | |
| Visa validity | 3 months for Single-Entry 6 months for Multiple Entry | 10 years validity – 5 years from the date of issue + another 5 years extendable at the Immigration Bureau | 5, 10, and 20 years (Depending on the type of membership) – 5 years from the date of issue + another 5, or 15 years extendable depending on the type of membership |
| Permitted period of stay | Not exceeding 60 days per entry | 10 years, must report in person once a year for the qualifications and supporting documents, the Visa will be revoked if the holder does not meet the following qualification., 1. Fail to provide financial evidence (as stated in required documents) 1.1 The sum of money in the Thai bank account is less than THB 3m at the end of the first year of stay period in Thailand. 1.2 The sum of money in the Thai bank account is less than THB 1.5m at the end of the second year of stay period in Thailand, and/or the money in the account was spent outside of Thailand. 2. Fail to provide proof of insurance 3. Pose a threat to Thailand / commit crime / to oppose security to Thailand 4. Work without permission | 5, 10, and 20 years (Depending on the type of membership) Thailand Elite member only has to complete a 1-year Annual stay extension, if the member wants to stay in Thailand for more than 1 year consecutively. |
| AGE | No age restriction | Minimum age of 50 years old | No age restriction (Only one package with age requirement is Elite Ultimate Privilege) |
| How to apply | Apply online via https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ or contact Thai Royal Embassy / Consulate in your country | Must be done at The Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in the country of their nationality with hard copy documents | Thailand Elite visa can be conveniently applied from anywhere as the whole process can all be completed via email – info@thailandelite.net or contact +66(0)65-156-1561 |
| Required documents | All documents must be submitted as hard copy 1. Passport – with at least 6 months validity from the date of travel 2. Completed application forms 3. Evidence of travel from Thailand (confirmed air ticket paid in full) 4. Flight itinerary to and from Thailand 5. 4*6cm. photo (light color background with a full-face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months) 6. Evidence of finance/cash, minimum THB20,000 for individual and THB40,000 for family | All documents must be submitted as hard copy 1. Passport – with at least 6 months validity from the date of travel 2. Two completed application forms 3. One Biography/ Personal information form (separate application form) 3. Three 4*6cm. photo (light color background with a full-face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months) 4. One Personal information form 5. Financial statement – Copy of bank statement (only from Thai bank) with guarantee letter from the bank and bank’s contact information showing deposit amount of equal or more than THB3m / or proof of deposit amount of no less than THB1.8m + proof of minimum annual income of THB1.2m 6. Letter of verification – stating that the applicant has no previous criminal record 7. Medical certificate – showing that the applicant has no prohibitive disease including Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction, the third stage of Syphilis. The medical certificate must not be issued over 3 months. 8. Proof of health insurance plan with minimum coverage of THB40,000 for outpatient treatment and THB 400,000 for inpatient treatment | All documents must be in soft copy and sent via email 1. Passport copy 2. A Completed application form 3. One Applicant’s photo in color JPEG file (light color background with a full-face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months) 4. For the family applicant – Proof of relationship, (eg. Marriage certificate, Birth Certificate, Adoption certificate) |
| Nationalities | N/A | Only applicants from 14 nationalities are applicable, the applicant must be a passport holder from the following national; Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA. | Thailand Elite is open to most foreigners, there are only some nationalities that are restricted |
| Proof of financial + payment | N/A | Required a deposit of no less than THB3m in a Thai bank account or Bank deposit of no less than THB1.8m in Thai bank account + proof of annual income of no less than THB1.2m The full amount must be maintained in full at least one year and then no less than THB1.5 afterward | Thailand Elite does not require an applicant to present any proof of the financial statement. One-time payment in full and the payment can only be done after the applicant has been approved of background clearance check from the Immigration office (done by Thailand Elite). Thailand Elite membership cost started from THB600,000 for 5-year Elite Easy Access up to THB2.14m for 20-year Elite Ultimate Privilege No proof of financial required. |
| Processing fee | THB 1,000 | THB 10,000 | None |
| Health Insurance | Health insurance is not required | Thai health insurance is required for the total duration of stay, with minimum coverage for outpatient treatment of 40,000 bahts and inpatient treatment of 400,000 bahts. | Thailand Elite does not require proof of health insurance |
| 90-day Report | N/A | Applicant must complete 90-day report in person at the Immigration office | Thailand Elite provides a 90-day report on behalf of the member, free of charge. Thailand Elite members can drop off the passport at the Thailand Privilege Card Head office or Thailand Elite partnered office located across all main cities of Thailand. |
| Work in Thailand | Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited | Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited | Thailand Elite members of the following packages; 1. Elite Ultimate Privilege 20-year THB2.14m 2. Elite Superiority Extension 20-year THB 1m 3. Elite Privilege Access 10-year THB 1m are eligible to obtain a Non-Immigrant B(Business) visa and obtain work-permit via ‘Elite Flexible Plus’ program with an addition of USD 1m investment in Thai stock market, Real estate in Thailand or Public/ Private Thai company. Visit https://www.thailandelite.net/2022/02/17/thailand-elite-with-work-permit/ for more details |
| Car | N/A | Yes, Non-Immigrant O-X visa holders can purchase a car | Yes, Thailand Elite visa holders can purchase a car |
| Property | N/A | Yes, Non-Immigrant O-X visa holders can purchase condo/ apartment / flat but not property attached to the land | Yes, Thailand Elite visa holders can purchase condo/ apartment / flat but not property attached to the land |
| Additional Services | N/A | N/A | – VIP airport service with Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) – Airport lounge – Free Limousines airport transfer services* – Open Thai bank account, online banking, and credit card – Driver license service – Elite Personal Liaison service – 24/7 Member Contact Center – Free 90-day report service – Free golf green fee or spa and/or other available recreation services* – Free Annual health checkup or dental checkup* – Hotel, restaurant, service booking service * Only apply for some types of membership |
Why is Thailand Elite program becoming more popular?
Thailand Elite is becoming more popular nowadays mainly because there are many requirements to be completed before travel to Thailand, especially with the current COVID situation and strict requirement from Thailand Immigration Bureau such as Thailand Pass system, cross border visa run is no longer possible.
Based on past Thailand Elite demographic data, over 80% are male members within the age range of 30-60 years, but the trend is shifting to younger applicants and families who apply in a group.
Thailand is becoming more popular even in the COVID pandemic, with its varieties of the geographic landscape from flawless beaches to mountain greeneries, low cost of living and top-notch selections of international cuisines available across the country, 3 main cities of Thailand including Bangkok (ranked #1), Phuket and Chiang Mai have been ranked in top 10 world’s best place for Workation.
With the abovementioned factors, Thailand attracts many digital nomads such as cryptocurrency/ NFTs investors, young nomad entrepreneurs, and those who benefit from the ‘Work From Anywhere’ policy from many major multinational companies. However, there is no suitable long-term visa to accommodate this group of people, so the Thailand Elite visa is considered to be the best long-term visa available.
