The Thai Elite Visa and the DTV Visa Thailand are often compared because they are both long-term Thai tourist visas, and both cater to remote workers and digital nomads. However, they each provide unique benefits and provide very different lifestyles. Here, we will examine their similarities and differences, so that you can better decide which long-term Thai visa solution will suit you best.
What is the Elite Visa Thailand?
The Elite Visa Thailand is a high-end tourist visa available through Thailand Privilege Membership packages, with durations ranging from 5 to 20 years. This visa comes with a wide array of VIP services and conveniences designed for those who want to experience the best Thailand has to offer. These include:
- Fast-track VIP airport services
- Access to the premium lane at immigration
- Personal accident insurance during your first membership year
- Access to a 24/7 Member Contact Center
- Invitations to exclusive networking events for professionals
- Privilege Points for custom perks like free hotel stays, spa treatments, special gifts and discounts
The membership packages range from 900,000 THB for 5 years to 5,000,000 THB for 20 years. While the initial costs are high, the visa has few eligibility requirements beyond the initial investment. There are no education, employment, age, asset, or income requirements, and you can obtain the visa in as little as 4-6 weeks. All you have to do is apply and pass a background check.
The Elite Visa Thailand is ideal for those who want a worry-free stay in Thailand with few immigration obligations and are ready to invest in added comforts.
What is the Destination Thailand Visa?
The Destination Thailand Visa (or the DTV Visa Thailand) is a long-stay visa for digital nomads, remote workers, and travelers who are interested in exploring Thailand while working on the go. This visa is valid for 5 years and allows a stay of up to 180-day stay per entry into Thailand.
You can also apply for the DTV visa as a dependent of a DTV holder or to partake in “Thai Soft Power” activities. These activities tend to revolve around creativity, culture, education, and entertainment such as:
- Muay Thai classes
- Thai cooking lessons
- Sport training sessions
- Medical treatment at Thai hospitals or medical centers
- Seminars
- Art and music festivals
- Short-term educational courses
The DTV Visa Thailand costs 10,000 THB, but you must have at least 500,000 THB in liquid assets to prove that you are able to support your stay in Thailand. Even so, the DTV visa remains a practical and affordable option for those looking to enjoy Thailand on a budget.
What are the similarities between the DTV Visa and Thai Elite Visa?
Other than both being long-term visas, the DTV Visa Thailand and Thai Elite Visa share a few similarities:
- Multiple-Entry Visas: Both visas provide multiple-entry access to Thailand, which means that you will be able to enter and leave Thailand as often as you please without needing to apply for a re-entry permit each time.
- Optional Health Insurance: There is no mandatory health insurance requirement when applying for either the DTV or Thailand Elite Visa.
- Remote Work Allowed: Both the DTV and Thailand Elite Visa allow remote work for foreign companies, but not for Thai employers. Also, acquiring a Thai work permit is prohibited while holding either of these visas.
- Taxes: Unlike the Thai LTR Visa, neither of these visas provides tax benefits. Anyone staying 180 days or more in Thailand out of a calendar year must pay income tax in Thailand, including on foreign income brought into the country.
What are the differences between the DTV Visa and the Elite Visa Thailand?
Now that you know what their similarities are, let’s look into their differences:
- VIP Services: The Elite Visa Thailand offers numerous perks including airport fast-track and VIP privileges such as free spa and medical treatments, while the DTV does not provide any additional benefits beyond the visa itself.
- Cost: The Thailand Elite Visa ranges from 900,000 to 5,000,000 THB, depending on the package, but requires no further proof of funds or assets. The DTV costs a flat 10,000 THB but requires proof of 500,000 THB in liquid assets. You will also have to pay a fee for each extension of the DTV, compared to the Thailand Elite Visa where you will only need to pay once.
- Eligibility Requirements: The DTV visa requires you to provide documents that will support your reason for entry into Thailand such as an employment contract, portfolio, and proof that you’ve enrolled in a Thai Soft Power activity. Though there is a background check involved, the Elite Visa Thailand is available to anyone, regardless of age, financial standing, and employment status and the only real requirement you will need to meet is to pass the background check.
- Family Inclusion: The DTV visa allows only a spouse and dependent children to join you by having them separately apply for a DTV of their own. Some Thailand Elite Visa packages permit additional family members in the main application, so long as you can prove that you are related in some way. This can be done through marriage or birth certificates. These family members get access to all the same VIP perks.
- Visa Conversion: Both visas can be converted if your plans change. However, Thailand Elite holders will retain their rights to exclusive membership benefits even after they’ve switched to another visa type, unlike the DTV.
What is the application process for the DTV and the Thai Elite Visa?
When it comes to applying for the Thai Elite Visa, we recommend applying through a government-partnered General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA). GSSAs are partnered with the government to specifically assist Thai Elite Visa applicants with their applications at no extra cost.
From gathering the correct documents to reviewing your application to submitting it to the correct government agency on your behalf, GSSAs make applying for an Elite Visa fast and easy. You can apply in Thailand or abroad and the application process takes 1 to 3 months, with most of the time spent on your background check.
On the other hand, to apply for a DTV Visa Thailand, you must be outside Thailand. You must also apply either in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, or online via the Thailand E-Visa system. Also, be aware that every embassy and consulate is different, and they may charge more than the standard 10,000 THB and require you to present proof of funds higher than the standard amount of 500,000 THB.
Which visa is better: the Thai Elite Visa or the Destination Thailand Visa?
If your priority is comfort and you’re prepared to invest in a premium experience, the Thai Elite Visa is an excellent option. Allowing you to just pay once and enjoy an extended stay without additional hassle, this visa removes the need for frequent renewals and simplifies all immigration obligations.
With the Elite Visa Thailand, you also gain access to exclusive VIP services and numerous benefits. And with General Sales and Services Agents (GSSAs) providing free assistance, your application process will be streamlined. Plus, you can include not only your spouse and children but also other family members in your application.
With that being said, the DTV Visa is a more budget-friendly alternative (assuming you have around 15,000 USD in the bank), especially if you’re not looking to settle permanently. It’s an appealing option for digital nomads or remote workers who anticipate frequently entering and exiting Thailand, offering flexibility without the need for a substantial financial commitment.
Professional Assistance in Getting Your Thai Visa
If you want to learn more about these two visas, you can visit Siam Legal’s page on the Destination Thailand Visa and Thailand Elite Visa. But if you’re ready to jump right into settling down in the Land of Smiles with a Thailand Elite or DTV Visa Thailand, contact Siam Legal now to book your consultation and have your application handled by our team of Thai immigration specialists. Siam Legal is also a government-authorized GSSA, which means that we will aid you free of charge in obtaining a Thailand Elite Visa, should you choose that visa option.
Whatever you decide, we’ll make sure you get your visa of choice swiftly and successfully so that your time in Thailand is free of immigration worries and delays.
