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Thailand Elite Frequently Asked Questions

Thailand Elite Visa – Frequently Asked Questions 2024 (October Update)

Below are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Thailand Elite application and membership that we prepared for you.

Thailand Elite Visa

Gold

  • Valid for 5 years
  • Cost: THB 900,000
  • Privilege Points: 20 per year

Platinum

  • Valid for 10 years
  • Cost: THB 1.5 million
  • Additional member fee: THB 1,000,000
  • Privilege Points: 35 per year

Diamond

  • Valid for 15 years
  • Cost: THB 2.5 million
  • Additional member fee: THB 1,500,000
  • Privilege Points: 55 per year

Reserve

  • Valid for 20 years
  • Cost: THB 5 million
  • Additional member fee: THB 2,000,000
  • Privilege Points: 120 per year
  • Invitation only / 100 applicants per year

The Thai Elite Visa cost will depend on the membership program. There are different membership programs available for the Thai Elite Visa, each varying in validity, benefits, and cost, which you may review below:

Gold – 5 years

  • 900,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee / 1 person
  • No additional membership option

Platinum – 10 years

  • 1,500,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee / 1 person
  • 1,000,000 Thai Baht / additional family member

Diamond – 15 years

  • 2,500,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee / 1 person
  • 1,500,000 Thai Baht / additional family member

Reserve – 20 years (Invitation Only)

  • 5,000,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee / 1 person
  • 2,000,000 Thai Baht / additional family members

No. The 30-year visa was a lifetime membership offered when Thai Elite Privilege first started. This visa has been discontinued.

It is possible for an existing lifetime member to transfer their visa to another person.

Thai Elite Visa Application

The applicant must have and submit the following:

  • Completed Thai Elite Visa application form
  • Profile Page of passport (Color scan)
  • ID with white background photo (high-resolution). In case of a family member, one needs a copy of proof of relationship as the immediate family of the core member (marriage or birth certificate).

It will take about 1 to 3 months. It depends on the location of the applicant. Some locations or countries are easy to connect and easy to communicate and some are hard to get through.

  1. Complete application form (sign every page).
  2. Submit an application with a color scan copy of the passport profile page and a passport-size photo (the photo can be taken on a mobile device but must be high quality and have a white background).
  3. Thai Elite Privilege conducts due diligence and background check with Thai Immigration and Authorities.
  4. Visa is approved, and the client is notified by email.
  5. Client pays a membership fee after approval.
  6. Payment is confirmed.
  7. Visa is issued and can be collected at:
    • the local Thai Embassy in the client’s country.
    • Thai Immigration Bangkok.
    • On arrival in Thailand at Bangkok airport.

The due diligence process may take 4-6 weeks for most nationalities and up to 3 months for special nationalities.

You can contact your agent for an update during the approval process. You will be notified by email when your application is approved. You will receive an approval letter and instructions for finalizing your visa.

No. Your Thai Elite application will have space to note a residential address in Thailand if you have one, but it is not required to apply.

Original documents are not required. We only need a colored copy of the scanned documents. All correspondence can be emailed to your agent, such as Siam Legal.

Once you receive your approval letter, you have three months to decide when you wish to have the visa sticker issued. Your membership fee can be paid at any time during this three-month period.

The approval letter is valid for 3 months after the approval date. Your membership fee can be paid at any time during this three-month period.

No. All registered Thai Elite visa agents are in Thailand.

Background Checks

We will provide you with a questionnaire and application form to help start your application and background check. The information required are:

 

  • Full Name (as shown in the passport)
  • Gender
  • Title Name (Mr. or Miss)
  • Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • Nationality
  • Passport No.
  • Place of Issue
  • Issue Date
  • Expiry Date
  • Occupation
  • Business Title
  • Company Name
  • Nature of Business
  • Home Address
  • Home Phone or Mobile
  • Email Address
  • Mailing Address
  • Have you overstayed in Thailand in the past 3 years?
  • Do you have a current Thai visa?
  • If yes, what type of visa?
  • Do you have at least 3 pages in your passport?

Your information is given to Thai Immigration and relevant authorities. They will confirm personal and passport details. They will also conduct due diligence and investigation for:

 

  • Criminal records in Thailand or your home country.
  • Past bankruptcy or insolvency.
  • Previous overstay or bans from Thailand.
  • Previous Thai visas and their status.

The background check is conducted by the Thai Immigration Office and Royal Thai Police.

Under due diligence, authorities confirm you have not been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any country except for an offense committed by negligence.

You have been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment. Imprisonment for an offense committed by negligence is satisfactory. A sentence decision of a fine or record on your criminal record, but no imprisonment will not affect a Thai Elite application.

Depending on the severity or type of criminal conviction in Thailand, you may still be eligible for a Thai Elite visa. Speak to a Law Professional before beginning your application.

If you have not been imprisoned, you may be eligible to apply for a Thai Elite visa. If you are aware of your conviction, speak to a Legal Professional before applying. Siam Legal International are registered lawyers and Thai Elite visa agents. They can advise you on past convictions and visa eligibility.

Bankruptcy time frames can vary from country to country e.g In Australia bankruptcy will be noted in your file for 10 years.

If you are outside the timeframe of bankruptcy for your country, then you are eligible to apply for a Thai Elite visa. If you are currently within the term of bankruptcy, then you cannot apply for a visa.

Thai Elite Visa Fees

The only fee applicable when applying for a Thai Elite visa is the membership fee paid on approval.

A registered Thai Elite agent will be reimbursed directly by Thailand Elite Privilege. Clients would not need to pay anything to the agent.

Note: Before enlisting the service of a registered agent, ask if they charge any additional fees.

There are four Thai Elite Visa packages, and they are:

Gold

  • 900,000 THB
  • 5 Years

Platinum

  • 1,500,000 THB
  • 10 Years

Diamond

  • 2,500,000 THB
  • 15 Years

Reserve

  • 5,000,000
  • 20 Years
  • Invitation Only

Siam Legal International does not charge a fee for their Thai Elite visa service. They are compensated by Thailand Elite Privilege for each referral submitted.

Payment

The membership can be done by credit card or wire transfer.

  • Transfer from a local bank. 1 business day
  • Deposit at a local bank. Thailand Privilege Card Account
  • Mobile Banking
  • Credit Card
  • Overseas bank – Exact amount in THB. 3-5 days. (proof needed – MT103)
  • AliPay – Scan QR code

You pay your membership fee when the visa is approved and you receive an approval letter. You will receive instructions for how to pay your membership fee and have three months (approval letter validity) to pay the fee.

Yes. Payments can be made via e-banking in China as per the above methods.

No. A Thai Elite membership cannot be paid using cryptocurrency.
Refer to the payment method table above.

No. The membership fee can be paid from a foreign bank account or an existing Thai bank account.

You can send the membership fee in any currency but it must be received in THB by the collecting Thai bank.

 

Sometimes, you can send a bit with excess to the amount that is required to cover any discrepancy in the currency exchange/conversion.

But you cannot send more because you will not be refunded. A few hundred baht or a thousand baht excess is alright.

If your bank requires this information, please email [email protected] to obtain this document or information.

Yes. Talk to the staff at Thailand Elite Privilege or your agent. They will advise how to make multiple payments.

Bank Accounts

No. You do not need an existing Thai bank account to apply for your visa. One benefit of a Thai Elite visa is the ability to open a bank account in Thailand.

No. You do not need to deposit money into a Thai bank account. Your membership fee can be paid directly from a foreign bank account to a Thai Elite Privileges bank account in Thailand.

Unlike other Thai visas, there are no savings requirements when applying for a Thai Elite visa.

Yes. Once you have your Thai Elite visa, you are eligible to open a Thai bank account. Your agent will help you with the process.

  • A passport
  • Work permit, non-immigrant B visa for business or work, O-A long-stay visa, or a three-year non-immigrant visa for business.
  • Certificate of Residence

Some banks may require more documents. You may be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:

  • Proof of Thai residency: Rental or lease agreement.
  • Proof of residency in your home country. You may bring your bank statement, driver’s license, or utility bill.
  • Proof of property ownership in Thailand. (if applicable)
  • Letter of reference from your home bank, your embassy, or a Thai educational institution.
  • Letter from your company stating that you are getting a work permit.

There are no minimum saving requirements when opening a Thai bank account. A branch may ask you to deposit 500 Thai baht into the account when opening.

Yes. You will need a Thai network mobile number in order to open a bank account and register for mobile banking.

Income and Thai Elite Visa

The Thai Elite Visa does not require you to have a certain level of income as long as you can pay the amount needed to apply for the specific package you have chosen. And, as long as you have not been declared bankrupt at least once.

You will need to apply for a non-immigrant work visa and work permit, but YES. This will have no bearing on the Thai Elite Visa’s validity. When you transfer to a non-immigrant work visa, your Thai Elite visa is not paused. This is for companies that are located in Thailand.

If the company is located outside of Thailand and you are working remotely, this is also possible, and you won’t need a non-immigrant work visa or work permit.

Age

There is no age limit for Thai Elite visas except for the Elite Ultimate Privilege. For the Elite Ultimate Privilege, an applicant needs to be at least 20 years old.

Yes. There is no age restriction to apply for a Thai Elite visa.

To apply for a Non-Immigrant O or Non-Immigrant OA Retirement visa, there are certain requirements you must meet.

 

Visa must meet any of the financial requirements:

  • Security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the visa application
  • Monthly Income of 65,000 THB
  • Combination of the security deposit and annual income with a total of 800,000 THB

Supporting documents are as follows:

  • In case of a security deposit, you will provide an updated bank book or passbook together with a bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an overseas source for not less than 2 months.
  • In case of income, a letter from your embassy in Thailand verifying your monthly income;
  • In case your embassy does not issue an income letter, you will provide a 12-month bank statement showing a regular deposit of 65,000 baht into a Thai bank account.

A retirement visa also requires:

  • Police Clearance
  • Medical Certificate
  • Annual Health Insurance
  • Renewal every 12 months

A Thai Elite visa does not require income/savings in Thailand, or health insurance, and does not need to be renewed every 12 months.

Technically, all foreigners require a visa when in Thailand. However, children under the age of 14 will not have an overstay listed with immigration in their passports.

The cost for a child under the Thai Elite visa will depend on the membership for the main holder.

  • Platinum – 1,000,000 THB / per child
  • Diamond – 1,500,000 THB / per child
  • Reserve – 2,000,000 THB / per child

There is no limit to how many children can be added to an Elite Visa. However, the applicable paperwork (birth certificate) will need to be provided for each child.

Passport

The minimum passport validity is 1 year to apply for membership. Make sure your passport has at least 5 years remaining validity period before applying for the Thai Elite Visa.

If the validity duration of your present passport is insufficient or less than five years, the privilege entry visa will be issued in accordance with the current passport’s expiration date.

When you receive your new passport, you will need to take the old passport and new passport to an embassy and have the visa transferred to the new passport. The visa will be valid until the original 5-year expiry date.

Yes. As long as you haven’t overstayed your current entry stamp, anyone on a tourist visa can easily upgrade to a Thailand Elite visa.

Upon submitting the application for the background check, the passport validity must be at least 12 months.

Yes. If you have a new passport when starting a new 5-year period of your visa, the second visa will be placed in your new passport and the details of your passport updated with Thai Elite Privilege and immigration.

Notify Thai Elite Privilege you need to transfer your visa label to a new passport.

Email Thai Elite with your arrival details and you’ll be met at the airport and fast-tracked through immigration.

If you are in Thailand, you will need to update your passport in Bangkok. Take both passports to the embassy and affix the new Thai Elite label to your new passport.

Thai Elite Visa and Working Permits

Because the Thai Elite Visa is classified as a tourist visa, the holder of the Thai work permit is not eligible to apply for a Thai Elite Visa membership. Your Non-Immigrant visa must be canceled before your Thai Elite Visa can be validated.

You will need to apply for a non-immigrant work visa and work permit, but YES. This will have no bearing on the Thai Elite Visa’s validity as the visa’s time will be paused.

However, if the company is located outside of Thailand, and you are working remotely, a non-immigrant work visa and work permit are not required.

Thai Elite members can look for work in Thailand, but after they have a job, they must exit Thailand and re-enter Thailand on a non-immigrant visa and apply for a work permit.

Any type of work in Thailand will require a work permit. Therefore, the person must have a Non-immigrant B visa and work permit if working for a company or a Non-immigrant O visa and work permit if working for an NGO.

A person with a non-immigrant visa can start the application for a Thai Elite Visa. However, the current visa must be canceled before the Thai Elite visa can be affixed to the passport without leaving Thailand.

No. An Education visa is classified as a long-stay visa and will need to be canceled before a Thai Elite visa can be approved. When the Education visa is canceled and the Thai Elite visa is approved, you will need to exit Thailand and have the new visa affixed to your passport upon re-entry. Foreigners holding an ED visa without certification from OBEC will not be approved for Thailand Elite.

Many people study in Thailand to gain a long stay Education visa. You can study privately in Thailand while holding a Thai Elite visa.

However, you cannot apply for an Education visa while holding a Thai Elite visa.

Staying in Thailand

Each time you are in Thailand you may stay for 1 to 2 years per entry (including extension).

Your visa is valid for 365 days with each entry, but you can apply for a 1-year extension at immigration.

Visa stamps are issued in 5 year lots:

  • Gold – 1 x 5 years
  • Platinum – 2 x 5 years
  • Diamond – 3 x 5 years
  • Reserve – 4 x 5 years

No. A Thai Elite member can stay in Thailand for 365 days at a time. Then they are required to leave and enter again.

You only need to leave the country for 1 day.

You can apply for a 1-year extension of stay and not have to leave the country for 2 years.

You only need to leave the country for 1 day and you will be allowed to re-enter Thailand. You will be given 365 days upon entry.

You can apply for a 1-year extension of stay at immigration. This will allow you to stay in Thailand for 2 years before having to leave.

Yes. If your application is in progress but not approved, you can enter Thailand on a tourist visa. When your application is approved, you pay your membership fee and will be instructed on how to transfer from a tourist visa to your Thai Elite visa.

There is no limit on the distance for airport transfer, however, applicants is required to redeem points.

  • Standard Airport Transfer – 1 Point
  • Luxury Car Airport Transfer – 2 Points
  • Long-haul Airport Transfer – 3 Points

90 Day Reporting

Yes. You are still required to do the 90-day report. However, there is a special service that enables you to not go to immigration physically. You can ask for help or can get help from the Thailand Elite help center with your 90-day report.

It will not be considered as overstaying. As a result, you will only have to pay a late reporting fee of 2000 Thai baht.

You can contact Thai Elite Privilege customer support and they will help organize your 90-day reporting.

Children

Technically, all foreigners require a visa when in Thailand. However, children under the age of 14 will not have an overstay listed with immigration on their passports.

Children over 14 years of age can have an overstay stamp on their passport. A child older than 14 must have a valid visa stamp in their passport.

If a child is going to attend school in Thailand, parents could apply for a Thai Elite visa and the child can enter Thailand under an education visa.

An alternative is a child can have an Education visa and parents can hold a Non-immigrant Guardian Visa.

Speak to a Thai visa about what is the best option for your family or check this Thai Visa service page.

Technically, all foreigners require a visa when in Thailand. However, children under the age of 14 will not have an overstay listed with immigration on their passports.

An alternative is a child can have a long stay Education visa and parents can hold a Non-immigrant Guardian Visa.

Yes. When applying for a Thai Elite Family visa, documents must be attached to confirm the family connection.

Retirement

For the Elite visa, you do not need to leave Thailand. You can switch from your Non-O retirement visa to Elite Visa within Thailand.

Real Estate

One can own a condominium, but not land. One can build a building, but one will not own the land. They are only allowed to lease the land and build their property over it.

Thai Elite Privilege has a property partnership with certain developers in Thailand. If you purchase a property through one of these developers and meet the purchasing requirements, you are eligible for a free Thai Elite visa.

 

You will apply for the visa directly with the developer.

For the property partnership, there are specific developments that you need to buy the condo in order to get a free Elite Visa. Your purchase must be worth at least 10 million THB to be eligible for the visa.

The developer will arrange your Elite visa directly.

Yes. As long as your total purchase is worth 10 million baht or more, and with the approved developer, you can purchase multiple condominiums.

Visit our comprehensive guide on how to purchase a condominium in Thailand.

Flights

No. You do not need any flights booked when applying for Thai Elite. If you are planning to affix your Elite Visa sticker at the airport, you may show your Welcome Letter or the appointment letter issued by Thailand Elite to your airline.

If you intend to affix your visa stamp when arriving in Thailand you will need to land in Bangkok or Phuket as the stamp is placed in your passport at these airports or at the Thai Immigration Office in Bangkok.

If you organize your visa at your local Thai Embassy in your country, you can enter Thailand through any international airport.

Medical Insurance

No. Medical Insurance is not a requirement when applying for a Thai Elite visa. However, medical insurance is currently required to enter Thailand because of Covid-19.

Travel Insurance is optional. If you would like to organize a medical insurance for your stay in Thailand, you can find more details here.

You do not need medical insurance for the Thai Elite application or to enter Thailand. Since it is optional, you can purchase insurance from your country.

Tax

No. It is not compulsory to pay tax on money that is transferred into the country from overseas.

The Thai Elite membership will not lead to Thailand PR. However, members of Thai Elite can voluntarily pay for income tax in Thailand and obtain a TIN.

If you earn income from overseas you are not required to pay income tax in Thailand. However, members of Thai Elite can voluntarily pay for income tax in Thailand and obtain a TIN.

Visa Overstay Issues

If you remain in Thailand past the exit date stamped in your passport, you are classed as overstaying.

When complying with immigration procedures at the airport departure in Thailand:

  • Overstay less than 90 Days
    • 500 Thai baht/day overstay fine (maximum 20,000 Thai baht)
  • Overstay more than 90 Days
    • 1 year ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
  • Overstay more than 1 Year
    • 3 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
  • Overstay more than 3 Years
    • 5 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
  • Overstay more than 5 Years
    • 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine.

You will need to leave or exit Thailand to clear the overstay. The Immigration officer will note:

  • The time of overstay
  • The fine charged
  • Confirmation of fine payment including the date paid

If the overstay is fixed, shows as paid in your passport, and there is no ban in place, then you are eligible to apply.

When you fix an overstay, your passport will show the following details:

  • The time of overstay
  • The fine charged
  • Confirmation of fine payment including the date paid

You may need to provide a scanned copy of this passport page. You also need to make sure you have left Thailand after the overstay fine has been paid.

Privilege Points System

Every membership comes with a certain number of privilege points that can be used every year, benefitting members by:

  • Granting more freedom of choice to members when choosing which benefits to pick and make use of.
  • The amount of points required for a certain privilege are very low and often members can find themselves only spending between 1 to 3 points per benefit.
  • Every year the points reset back to default for each membership package. This means if you didn’t get the benefit you wanted one year, you can redeem your points for it the subsequent year.

The distribution of points is as follows:

  • 1 point: used to purchase privileges such as airport transfers, complimentary dining nights, spa packages, access to hotel fitness centres, buy 1 get 1 free movie tickets.
  • 2 points: used to acquire privileges such as airport transfers via luxury vehicles, dental checkups, health checks, golfing discounts, and tickets to sporting events.
  • 3 points: domestic roundtrip flights, airport transfers for longer hauls, private tours, health checkups, and tickets to worldclass concerts.

Thai Elite Agent Contact

If you would like to speak with our Thai Elite Visa agent at Siam Legal, you can contact us through email at [email protected] or through LINE and WhatsApp. We can arrange a phone, video, or in-person consultation with you.

To ensure you receive assistance for any inquiries, our Thai Elite Agent will assist you with making any necessary arrangements regarding your visit to Thailand or your Thailand Elite membership.

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Siam Legal
Siam Legal is an international law firm with experienced lawyers, attorneys, and solicitors both in Thailand law and international law. This Thailand law firm offers comprehensive legal services in Thailand to both local and foreign clients for Litigation such as civil & criminal cases, labor disputes, commercial cases, divorce, adoption, extradition, fraud, and drug cases. Other legal expertise of the law firm varied in cases involving corporate law such as company registration & Thailand BOI, family law, property law, and private investigation.

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