IMPORTANT THAI ELITE CHANGES
- New Thailand Elite Membership Packages Revealed!
- New applications for Elite Superiority Extension membership are now closed!
- For the latest updates and changes regarding the Thailand Elite Visa Program, check the links below:
There are many long-term visa options for Thailand. These visas can have age, financial, or educational eligibility requirements. The Thailand Elite visas promote Thailand to affluent visitors who are looking for long-term access to the country. It bypasses many requirements and restrictions to offer longevity, ease of use, and additional benefits for its members. Thai Elite visas offer exclusivity to foreigners in Thailand, and there are multiple visa options to suit any personal or financial lifestyle. One visa choice is the 20-year Elite Superiority Extension.
Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. They provide Tourist Visas to foreigners who no longer want to organize short-term visas but are looking for long-term, regular travel or permanent relocation to Thailand.
One positive of the recent pandemic is that people realized how easy it is to have choices taken away from them. They no longer want to organize short-term travel but are starting to think about how they can travel abroad for extended periods. Thai Elite visas give people the opportunity to do this.
The 20-year Elite Superiority Extension is perfect for those who want to call Thailand home. It is suitable for singles, remote workers, retirees, entrepreneurs, and potential investors who are familiar with Thailand and know they want to have a “second home” here.
Overview of the Elite Superiority Extension
The Thai Elite Superiority Extension is a 20-year tourist visa designed for affluent and high-earning foreign nationals. For those who enjoy Thailand as a frequent holiday destination, it allows unlimited entries to Thailand for 20 years. People can stay in the country for up to a year at a time.
If you seek a visa solution to move to Thailand and create a life with the best that Thailand offers, an Elite Superiority extension allows you to live in Thailand for up to a year before needing to exit and reenter. You do not need to worry about “visa runs” every three months and have full access to Thailand for 20 years. There is no minimum time a member must leave, nor any minimum stay requirement. People can return home or visit another country for as little as a day before returning. If your situation does not allow you to exit at the end of a year, you can contact Thailand Elite Privilege and they will help you extend your stay for another year.
Elite Superiority has few eligibility requirements. A member does not need to prove income or hold money in a Thai bank account. They do not need to attend an Educational Institution or do volunteer work. There are no age restrictions, and members do not need to complete any immigration interviews or renew their visas annually.
The Elite Superiority Extension is an available upgrade for members who already hold a 5-year Elite Easy Access visa. The visa issues five years at a time, so members will be issued four visas over their 20-year term.
When applying for an Elite Superiority Extension, Immigration will complete a background check under due diligence and if a potential member does not have a criminal record or outstanding overstay in Thailand, they are welcome to apply. Upon approval, the member pays their visa fee, and a visa is issued for the first 5 years.
An Elite Superiority Extension holder receives VIP service when arriving in Thailand. Immigration formalities and passport processing is expedited on arrival. A concierge service is available and travelers are met at the airport by a private driver to take them to their accommodation. A member contacts Thai Elite Privilege and provides their arrival date, and the rest is taken care of.
Thailand Elite Privilege wants its visa holders to feel special. They are VIP visitors in Thailand. When a foreigner stays in Thailand for more than 3 months, they are required to complete “90-day reporting” at a local Thai Immigration Office. Holders of a Thai Elite visa do not need to present themselves at Immigration. A Thai Elite staff member organizes and represents you for this immigration formality. There are no long queues or waiting for Thai Elite visa holders.
Elite Superiority Extension members receive discounts and benefits at many shopping outlets, restaurants, and leisure activities throughout Thailand. To take advantage of these perks, members present their Thai Elite Privilege card at any partner location and receive instant benefits. They can share their benefits with visiting friends and family who are not Thai Elite members.
The Elite Superiority Extension is a simple visa solution for those who are ready to live life in Thailand. The visa has a one-time fee of 1,000,000 baht that is paid on visa approval, so there is no cost to the applicant if their visa is not approved.
If you currently hold a Thai Elite Easy Access visa, you can upgrade to the Superiority Extension. You will receive a further 15 years of hassle-free stay in Thailand and only have to pay the fee difference of 400,000 baht.
Elite Superiority Extension
- 20-year Tourist Visa with unlimited entries
- Up to 1-year stay per arrival
- 1,000,000 Thai Baht/person with no annual fee
- Upgrade from a 5-year Elite Easy Access visa
- Assistance with bank accounts, licenses & 90-day reporting
- Expedited arrival processing and private transport
- Shopping & leisure benefits
Applying for Elite Superiority Extension Visa
There are many application avenues for Thailand Elite. The easiest way to apply for an Elite Superiority Extension visa is through one of their registered agents. Working with an agent, you can apply while in Thailand, or from your home country. The process will normally take 1-3 months depending on your nationality. The agent will advise what information they need in order to submit the application on your behalf and monitor the progress of your approval.
The advantage to working with a registered agent is they can provide additional services to make your transition and time in Thailand easier. They provide one-on-one service from start to finish and keep you updated on the progress or any outstanding requirements of your application.
1. Application Submission
The first step is to contact your agent. They can advise what visa might best suit you and how to start the process. An agent will send you a questionnaire with the initial information needed. This will include:
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Passport number and validity dates
- Contact details
- Current visas or information about previous overstays in Thailand
Upon receiving your completed questionnaire, they will prefill your Elite Superiority Extension application form and email it to you for signing.
Your application will include:
- A signed application form
- Colour copy of your passport profile page
- A high-quality passport-sized photo
Your agent will submit the signed application on your behalf and liaise with Thailand Elite Privilege and Immigration. They will advise if any additional information is needed for approval.
When applying for your visa, you need to make sure you have 5 years of validity in your passport. If your passport will expire before the end of your first 5-year term, it is possible to have your visa affixed to the current passport. When you receive your new passport, an appointment can be made to visit a Thai Embassy. You take your existing and new passport to the appointment and a new visa sticker will be placed in for the rest of your 5-year term.
2. Background Check
Under due diligence, Thailand Immigration will conduct a background check for all applicants. This check will include:
- Criminal convictions within Thailand or another country
- Any outstanding overstays in Thailand (where an overstay fee has not been paid)
- If an applicant has any current active visas in Thailand, i.e. Education, Retirement, or Work Visa. Existing visas must be canceled before a Thai Elite Visa can receive final approval.
3. Payment of Membership fee (credit card or bank transfer)
The total cost for an Elite Superiority Extension visa is 1 Million Thai Baht
No payment is needed until you receive final approval. When your visa is approved, you will receive a Welcome Letter from Thailand Elite Privilege and your agent. The letter outlines the next steps in starting your visa and the full benefits available to you.
You will also receive a letter with all payment options available. The visa fee can be completed by credit card, international bank transfer, or internal transfer if you already have a Thai bank account. The fee is payable as a single amount upon approval. If you have a daily transfer limit, you can discuss the situation with your agent.
From the time you receive your approval and welcome letter, an Elite Superiority Extension member has 3 months to pay their visa fee and start their first 5-year term.
4. Issuance of the visa (embassy, airport, or Thai immigration)
There are several options available for affixing your visa to your passport.
- A member can visit a Thai Embassy in their country
- A member can be met at the airport when they arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, and have the visa affixed before completing passport control
- An appointment can be made to visit the Thai Embassy in Bangkok
Working with an agent streamlines the above process and allows a central point of correspondence. There are no additional fees payable when enlisting the service of a good registered agent.
Additional Considerations and Restrictions
Background Check
When conducting a background check, an applicant must meet the following 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
Working in Thailand
Thai Elite Visas are classified as Tourist Visa. In order to work or earn income within Thailand, a person must hold a valid work permit. This permit is not offered under a Thai Elite visa. If a person wants to seek employment or start a business in Thailand, they can contact their Thai Elite agent and discuss avenues of attaining a work permit.
Excluded Countries
There are some countries that are restricted to apply. Citizens from the countries are not eligible for a Thailand Elite Visa:
- Africa: Central Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sao Tome, Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sudan.
- Middle East: Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen
- Asia: North Korea, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri-Lanka
Why Choose Thailand as Your New Home?
There are many reasons for people to holiday or relocate to Thailand.
Thailand Has a Low Cost of Living
- Living outside the city can be done at a very low cost
- It is true that Bangkok & Phuket can be expensive for luxury living
- Food options
- Reasonable transport system
Thailand offers First-Class Medical Care
- Thailand boosts some of the best medical facilities in Asia
- It costs a fraction of health services in Western countries
Thailand is the Prime Travel Destination for SE Asia
- Thai airports provide easy access to many SE Asia destinations using LCC airlines
- Thailand is the perfect base to stretch out and explore the SE Asian region
An Elite Superiority Extension visa is for people who have enjoyed Thailand in the past and know it is somewhere they want to visit year on year, or potentially set up a relaxing life in the Land of Smiles. They are familiar with the wonderful things Thailand offers and look to their future. Travel mindset has changed. People do not want to be in a position where they cannot travel, and are steering away from quick getaways. Thai Elite is for those who want to spend extended periods in a beautiful place that offers a dream lifestyle for a fraction of the cost. 20 years is a long time to live these dreams without worrying about the little things.
For inquiries about the Thai Elite Visa Application, please use this form to contact us.
