If you’ve looked into long-term residency options abroad, you’ve most likely encountered the term “golden visa.” These programs offer a simpler path to residency than standard visas and have become increasingly popular.
In this article, we will cover the Thailand golden visa and how it compares to similar programs in other countries.
What is a Golden Visa?
The term “golden visa” refers to immigration programs that allow foreign nationals to obtain residency in a country through substantial financial contributions, which often involve investing in local businesses or real estate.
These visas are typically designed to attract affluent individuals to the country, including investors, remote workers, retirees, and business owners.
What is Thailand’s Golden Visa?
Thailand’s version of the golden visa is the Thailand Privilege Visa. It is available under the Thailand Privilege Program, which is managed by the government-owned Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC).
It is important to note that this is not a type of investor visa in Thailand but rather a tourist visa. This means that it does not require applicants to contribute financially to the country through investing in local businesses or real estate, and can be obtained through a one-time membership fee.
The Thailand Privilege Visa comes in five membership tiers:
- Thailand Privilege Bronze Membership: 5 years of residency (650,000 THB)
- Thailand Privilege Gold Membership: 5 years of residency (900,000 THB)
- Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership: 10 years of residency (1,500,000 THB)
- Thailand Privilege Diamond Membership: 15 years of residency (2,500,000 THB)
- Thailand Privilege Reserve Membership: 20 years of residency (5,000,000 THB)
Holders of the Thailand Privilege Visa are also granted access to a wide range of free perks and benefits to make life in Thailand more comfortable, convenient, and rewarding. These include but are not limited to expedited immigration processing when entering or leaving Thailand, free spa treatments and health check-ups, and discounts on premium services.
How does the Thailand Privilege Visa compare to other Golden Visas?
There are several reasons why the Thailand Privilege Visa is one of the best golden visas available, as we will go into below.
Eligibility Requirements
Unlike other golden visa programs with high financial barriers, the Thailand Privilege Visa stands out for its simplicity and low eligibility criteria.
- Thailand Privilege Visa Involves a One-Time Payment: The Thailand Privilege Visa requires only a one-time membership fee. Once paid, residency is granted without the need for continued investments, annual income declarations, or financial involvement.
- No Complex Financial Thresholds: Some golden visas require substantial investments in local businesses or real estate to qualify, such as Malaysia’s Investor Visa and Indonesia’s Golden Visa, whereas the Thailand Privilege Visa lacks such high financial barriers.
Application Process
The Thailand Privilege Visa is considered one of the easiest residency visas to apply for, especially in Southeast Asia, as shown below:
- Quick Approval Timeline: The application process for the Thailand Privilege Visa normally takes as little as four weeks to complete. This timeframe is considerably shorter than many other golden visa programs, which tend to involve extended processing periods due to detailed financial verification requirements.
- Simple Background Check: Applicants of the Thailand Privilege Visa are only required to undergo a basic background check, which will already be coordinated as part of the application process. There is no need to provide financial records, proof of income, or investment documentation, which are commonly required by other golden visa programs.
- Free Professional Assistance: There are General Sales and Services Agents (GSSAs) who have been officially appointed by the government to provide free assistance with Thailand Privilege Visa applications. These agents will assist applicants with gathering, preparing, and reviewing all the necessary documents to ensure that there are no errors before submitting them to the correct government agencies on the applicant’s behalf.
Golden Visa Benefits
As mentioned before, the Thailand Privilege Visa grants its holders access to a wide range of free perks and benefits.
Compared to other golden visa programs that mainly focus on residency with limited or no additional perks, the Thailand Privilege Visa provides an experience that is aimed at making the holder’s stay in the country more comfortable and rewarding. Below is a list of some of the perks and benefits available through the Thailand Privilege Program:
- VIP Airport Services: Members receive expedited immigration processing, complimentary airport transfers, and access to VIP lounges, all of which make traveling in and from Thailand seamless and stress-free.
- Shopping and Lifestyle Discounts: Members can take advantage of the program’s exclusive discounts at select hotels, shopping centers, spas, leisure venues, and more.
- Concierge and Personal Assistance: Members have access to personalized concierge services to help with local arrangements such as restaurant reservations or transportation, which adds an extra level of convenience to everyday life.
- Healthcare: Members receive free personal accident insurance when first arriving in Thailand and access to free medical treatments and checkups at leading hospitals.
Professional Assistance With Your Thailand Privilege Visa Application
If you’re looking for a straightforward and cost-effective way to stay in Thailand long-term, get in touch with Siam Legal International. As a government-partnered GSSA, we have in-depth knowledge of the application process and will assist you free of charge from start to finish as we streamline your application and ensure a maximum chance of approval.
As Siam Legal is also a full-service law firm and visa consultancy, you will receive the following complimentary services when partnering with us:
- 24/7 VIP hotline for legal and immigration matters
- 2 hours of legal consultation (value 10,000 THB)
- 2 hours of immigration consultation (value 6,000 THB)
- Notary public service (one document, one-time value 3,000 THB)
- Bank account opening service (value 5,000 THB)
For a seamless and stress-free Thailand Privilege Visa application experience, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal to book a consultation!
