IMPORTANT THAI ELITE CHANGES
- New Thailand Elite Membership Packages Revealed!
- New applications for Elite Ultimate Privilege membership are now closed!
- For the latest updates and changes regarding the Thailand Elite Visa Program, check the links below:
When coming to Thailand for a vacation, foreigners love the unique experiences they find. Delicious food, a rich culture steeped in history, long warm beaches, and nature that is unlike anything found in the west. Thailand is the epitome of Asia’s beauty, and many people who experience it once know they want to return year after year. Affluent visitors who seek long-term access to the country and want nothing but the best should consider a Thailand Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa.
It’s hard to imagine any positive outcomes from the recent pandemic, but one effect is that people started thinking differently about international travel. When the choice was taken away, short-term getaways were out of the question. People began to think long-term. Long-term vacations, and even moving to live the life they enjoy. Thai Elite visas make this possible. They open Thailand to foreign nationals for up to 20 years and cut through the bureaucracy of immigration and visa renewals.
For those who have experienced Thailand and want to return year after year for vacations, or are looking to move to the Land of Smiles and start a new life; the Thailand Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa is a perfect choice. It is for people who are ready to call Thailand their second home without worrying about ongoing visa qualifications and immigration issues. It is for those who seek convenience for 20 years and want nothing but the best. Thailand Elite Privilege offers this solution through their Thailand Elite visa scheme.
There are many long-term visa options for Thailand. These visas have age, financial, or education eligibility requirements. Most of them are 12-month visas that need to be renewed if you want to remain in Thailand for another year. Some cannot be extended past 12 months.
An Elite Ultimate Privilege visa bypasses all of this. It allows people to vacation in Thailand for up to a year at a time and is valid for 20 years. For those who seek a new life in Thailand, it offers permanence for decades, well into retirement age for many.
The Elite Ultimate Privilege visa is offered by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. They promote Thailand to affluent visitors who are looking for long-term access to the country, whether as a holiday destination or home. Thailand Elite Privilege works closely with immigration and the Thai government to make a life for affluent expats as easy as possible. They believe in providing a VIP experience for those who will invest time in Thailand and call it home. Their visas offer longevity, ease of use, and additional benefits for their members.
Thai Elite visas offer exclusivity to foreigners during their time in Thailand, and there are multiple visa options to suit any personal or financial lifestyle.
Foreign Nationals who know what Thailand offers and want to be part of it for many years can enter the country with the Elite Ultimate Privilege visa. This visa is perfect for singles, couples, remote workers, retirees, entrepreneurs, and potential investors who are ready for change and think long-term. Thai Elite Ultimate Privilege is the crème de la crème of visas, offers benefits beyond other Thai Elite visas, and secures unlimited access to the country for decades.
Overview of the Elite Ultimate Privilege
Thailand is a beautiful country with a low cost of living when compared to many other affluent destinations. It is a cliche, but an Elite Ultimate Privilege visa is as close as a person can get to living like royalty.
The Elite Ultimate Privilege is a 20-year tourist visa with all the perks. For those wanting a holiday visa, it allows unlimited entries to Thailand over the 20-year term, so members can visit as often as they want and stay for up to a year at a time. While here, they are treated to only the best with access to shopping, dining, and leisure discounts. Ultimate Privilege members receive exclusive access to many of Thailand’s best golf courses, spas, and resorts. It allows multiple entries with no minimum stay restrictions.
If you are looking for a worry-free visa that lets you live in the country, an Elite Ultimate Privilege visa allows you to live in Thailand for up to a year before needing to exit and reenter. There is no minimum time a member must leave the country. Members must stamp out of the country each year, but you can return home or visit another country for just a few hours or 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. This gives you 2 years of uninterrupted life before needing a stamp.
Elite Ultimate Privilege has few eligibility requirements. Members do not need to prove any income or hold money in a Thai bank account. Members do not need to complete any immigration interviews or renew their visas annually. The Elite Ultimate Privilege is the only visa with an age requirement. Applicants must be over 20 to receive an Ultimate Privilege visa.
Immigration will complete a background check under due diligence and if a potential member does not have a criminal record or an outstanding overstay in Thailand, they are welcome to apply. The member pays their visa fee upon approval, and a visa is issued for the first 5 years. Following visas will be issued every 5 years after.
An Elite Ultimate Privilege holder receives expedited immigration formalities and passport control processing when arriving in Thailand. A concierge service is available and travelers are met at the airport by a private limousine to take them to their accommodation. All a member needs to do is advise Thai Elite Privilege of their arrival date.
Thailand Elite Privilege wants their visa holders to feel special. They are VIP visitors in Thailand and Elite Ultimate Privilege members will receive nothing but the best. When staying for extended periods, foreigners are required to complete “90-day reporting” at a local Thai Immigration Office. Elite Ultimate Privilege members will have a Thai Elite staff member organize and represent them for this immigration formality. There are no long queues or waiting for Thai Elite visa holders.
Thai Elite Ultimate Privilege members receive discounts and benefits at many shopping outlets, restaurants, and leisure activities throughout Thailand. They are welcome at many exclusive golf courses and spa resorts. They present their Thai Elite Privilege card at any partner location to receive these benefits. The best part is these benefits extend to visiting friends and family.
An additional benefit for Elite Ultimate Privilege members is their free annual medical check-up. Foreigners are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand, and this service is offered above other Thai Elite visas. Members receive medical care at Thailand’s best medical facilities.
Elite Ultimate Privilege is perfect for those who have tasted Thailand and know it is where they want to be for at least the next 20 years. The visa has an initial fee of 2.14 million baht and an annual fee of 21,400 baht. The initial fee is paid on visa approval, so there is no cost to the applicant if their visa is not approved.
Another benefit of the Ultimate Privilege is that it’s extended to family members with the Elite Family Premium visa. Family members will receive the same term and similar benefits, but with a reduced initial and annual fee.
Elite Ultimate Privilege
- 20-year Tourist Visa with unlimited entries
- Issued as 4 x 5-year visas. Renewable terms have no additional costs
- Up to 1 year stay per arrival. Can be extended to 2 years per arrival
- 2.14 million Thai Baht with an annual fee of 21,400 Thai Baht
- Can be extended to immediate family members with Elite Family Premium
- Family members receive a reduced visa & annual fee
- Assistance with bank accounts, licenses & 90-day reporting
- Expedited arrival processing and private limousine to and from the airport
- Shopping & leisure benefits. Exclusive access to Thailand’s best golf courses and spa resorts
- Free annual medical check
Applying for your Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa
Let someone else make your new visa easy. The best way to apply for an Elite Ultimate Privilege visa is through one of Thai Elite’s 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, and the agent will advise what is needed to submit the application on your behalf.
The advantage to working with an agent is they provide additional services like free notary and investment advice 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 will 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
If you are applying for an additional family through the Elite Family Premium, a questionnaire is completed for each person. Upon receiving your completed questionnaire, they will prefill your Thai Elite 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 submits the signed application on your behalf and will liaise with Thailand Elite Privilege and Immigration. They will advise if any additional information is needed for approval.
2. Background Check
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)
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 Ultimate Privilege member has 3 months to pay their visa fee and start their visa 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 the 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 people 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 caters to affluent tourists and offers world-class leisure facilities and activities throughout the country
People consider Elite Ultimate Privilege because they love Thailand. Having lost travel choices for years, they want time to enjoy a country they love instead of jumping through hoops to organize short getaways.
This is the strength of Thailand Elite Visas. They allow people that time or give them the ability to start a new lifestyle after being trapped at home for so long. Extended visas cut through the red tape of bureaucracy and people can immerse themselves in new cultures or try something new for more than a week or a month.
For inquiries about the Thai Elite Visa Application, please use this form to contact us.
