What is the best Thai Visa for someone wanting to stay in Thailand? Is it the Thai Elite Visa, Thai Retirement Visa, Thailand Marriage Visa, or a Non-immigrant Business Visa? This featured article will offer a comprehensive look into the world of Thailand visas for foreigners wishing to live in Thailand.

I have been working in the field of Thai immigration for the last 12 years. I started out working the night shift in the Bangkok headquarters for Thailand’s largest network of law offices. My responsibilities were to chat with visitors online and receive telephone inquiries to guide foreigners regarding which was the best Thai Visa for their travel to Thailand. I received calls and chats from nearly every country in the world. Each night I would consult with people from around the world who desired immigration advice for their upcoming long stay in Thailand. Nowadays, I lead the customer service team for Thai Immigration in the Bangkok law firm. I often speak to 15 to 20 people a day offering immigration advice for entering Thailand.

It is interesting to note that Thai visa issuance policies change almost on a monthly basis. When I am home at night I will often read the forums and blogs trying to stay on top of the latest experiences of persons who have made visa applications for Thailand at the Thai Embassies and Consulates around the world. About ten years ago it was commonplace for foreigners to obtain a 1-year multiple-entry Thailand visa by post within their home country using an invitation letter from a Thai Company. However, Thai Embassies restricted that practice, first in the UK, then in Australia, and finally in the US for the 1-year Thai Visas.

Thai Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa given to the Thailand Privilege Card members. It is categorized under Tourist Visa (Privilege Entry Visa “PE”) allowing residency in Thailand along with benefits for a period between 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the chosen package in exchange for a membership fee.

• The Thai Elite Visa is a 5-year renewable multiple entry visa with an extendable 1-year length of stay per each entry.
• The Thai Elite visa holder can have an uninterrupted stay in Thailand without the usual need to leave the country every 90 days as with the other visa types.
• The Elite Visa holder will be represented by the Thai Elite staff on the 90-day reporting as required by the Thai Immigration.
• Thai Elite Visa holders will receive expedited immigration formalities and passport control processing when arriving in Thailand

Thai Elite Visa Qualifications

The applicant/member must have and maintain to have the following qualifications:

• Holder of a foreign passport
• Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws, which means the applicant has no overstay record in Thailand
• No age limit is required for this program apart from the Elite Ultimate Privilege (Grand Package) which requires to be at least 20 years old
• Not having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any countries 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

The application for the Thai Elite Privilege Card membership and the Thai Elite Visa may take 1 to 3 months.

Thai Elite Visa Cost

The Thai Elite Visa cost is based on the membership program. There are different membership programs available for Thai Elite Visa, each varying in validity, benefits, and cost, as follows:

1. Elite Easy Access
   • Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
   • It costs 600,000 Thai baht with no annual fee
   • You have an option to upgrade to Elite Ultimate Privilege
   • No age restriction; members can be any age
2. Elite Family Excursion (minimum 2 persons)
   • Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
   • It costs 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee (2 persons)
   • For additional family member there is a fee of 300,000 Thai baht
3. Elite Family Alternative
   • Membership validity of 10 years
   • The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years
   • It costs 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee
   • For additional family member there is a fee of 700,000 Thai baht
4. Elite Privilege Access
   • Membership validity of 10 years
   • The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years
   • It costs 1,000,000 THB with no annual fee
   • For additional family member there is a fee of 800,000 Thai baht
   • No age restriction; members can be of any age
5. Elite Superiority Extension
   • Membership validity of 20 years
   • It costs 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee
   • The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years (4 sets of 5-year multi-entry visa)
6. Elite Ultimate Privilege
   • Membership validity of of 20 years
   • It costs 2.14 million Thai baht with annual fee of 21,400 Thai baht
   • The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years (4 sets of 5-year multi-entry visa)
   • Members must be over 20 years old
7. Elite Family Premium
   • Applicable only to family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members
   • Membership fee of 1 million Thai baht with annual fee of 10,000 Thai baht
   • Membership and Thai Elite Visa validity will be based on the membership and visa validity of the Elite Ultimate Privilege family member
   • Visa is renewable after 5 years (4 sets of 5-year multi-entry visa)

How to Apply for Thai Elite Visa

1. Application for Membership and Background Check
   You can apply for the Thailand Elite Visa whether you are in Thailand or abroad. All you need to do is to send a soft copy of your passport and application form to an accredited Thai Elite Visa agent. Then, the agent will work with the Thailand Elite Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Bureau to do immigration and criminal background check. The process may take 1 month for most nationalities and up to 3 months for special countries.
2. Transfer of Membership Fee
   When the applicant has passed a background check and the application has been approved, the applicant will be instructed to transfer the membership fee. The membership fee ranges from 600,000 Thai baht to 2 million Thai baht depending on the membership package the applicant has applied for. The payment for the membership fee can be made through a bank transfer.
3. Membership Acceptance
   After completing the payment or bank transfer, the applicant will receive the Membership ID and instruction on how to receive the visa.
4. Visa Issuance
   The Thai Elite member can affix the Thai Elite visa at the Thai embassy or consulate in his/her respective country. The applicant has to drop his/her passport and come back to collect it on another day at the Thai embassy. If it is not convenient for the applicant to apply through the Thai embassy, it is also possible that the applicant obtains the Thai Elite Visa upon arrival in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, this option is unavailable during the COVID-19 travel restriction. In case that the Thai Elite member is in Thailand, the Thai Elite agent may arrange the visa issuance at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thai Elite Visa?

The Thai Elite Visa is a special visa introduced in 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports that aims to attract affluent visitors, businessmen, investors, and expats to stay in Thailand long-term. It is a visa classified as a Privilege Entry Visa that is valid for 5 years with multiple entries without having to deal with so much paperwork or visits to the immigration office. The Thai Elite Visa holder will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 1 year on each visit.

How long is the Thai Elite Visa application process?

The Thailand Elite Membership and Thai Elite Visa application process may take 3 weeks to 2 months depending on the nationality of the applicant and in case of immigration or criminal record of the applicant.

Do any Thai Elite application documents need a notary stamp or to be certified?

No. It is not required for the Thai Elite Visa application forms and copy of passport to be notarised or to be certified. A scanned copy sent through email or photocopy of these documents is sufficient.

What is the passport validity that is required for this Elite visa process?

Ideally, you need to have at least 5 years remaining in the validity of your passport. However, in case you have less than 5 years, the Thai Embassy or Immigration Bureau will affix the Thai Elite Visas based on the expiration date stated in your passport. The remaining validity of your visa will then be affixed to your new passport. It is also good to note that you need to have at least 3 blank pages in your passport.

Do I have to appear in person for the Thai Elite application?

No, it is not required to personally appear during the Thai Elite membership application. You will be represented by a sales agent during the membership application. However, your presence is required during the issuance of the visa whether it is at the Thai Embassy abroad, at Suvarnabhumi airport, or at the Bangkok immigration office.

What are the required documents for application for the Thai Elite Visa?

The required documents for the application of the Thai Elite membership are a copy of the profile page of your passport, colored ID photo with white background, duly accomplished Thai Elite Visa application form, and copy of proof of relationship for any family member applying with the main applicant.

Is there an income requirement to hold the Thai Elite visa?

There is no income requirement to hold the Thai Elite Visa. The applicant only needs to pay the membership fee which will range from 600,000 Thai baht to 2 million Thai baht. Although there is no income requirement, one of the requirements to qualify as a member is that the applicant has not been adjudicated bankrupt.

How does the Thai Elite visa differ from the Thai Retirement visa?

The Thai Elite Visa differs from the retirement visa in such a way that the financial requirement or membership fee is non-refundable. The financial requirement for a retirement visa is deposited in the visa holder’s bank account as his/her own savings. The retirement visa must be renewed every year whereas the Thai Elite visa does not need to be renewed every year. Both Thai Elite Visa and Retirement Visa require 90-day address reporting.

Do I have to pay income taxes in Thailand as a Thai Elite visa holder?

The Thai Elite Visa is a privilege visa which falls under the special tourist visa or privilege entry category. The Thai Elite Visa holder does not need to pay income taxes especially when the income was derived abroad. There are instances where a Thai Elite Visa holder may voluntarily pay income tax in Thailand.

Can Thai Elite Visa holders buy real estate in Thailand?

Just like other foreigners, Thai Elite Visa holders can own condominiums in their own name. If applicants wish to acquire land and build a house, they can obtain a long-term lease on the land (for up to 30 years). They will need to apply for a construction permit to build the house in their own name. This way applicants can own the house and have a secured long-term lease on the land.