Thailand Elite Visa

By Legal Advisors

0

2004

There is always paperwork to worry about before departing on a trip of your choosing, whether it be for business, pleasure, or any other reason. Even more stressful is the fact that every time you travel to your favorite or most frequented destination, you have to deal with the same paperwork and you are only given a few days to stay. The Thailand Elite Visa Program is a remedy offered by the Thai government for this situation.

In 2003, Thailand Elite Visa Program was introduced and set up by the Thai government under the Thailand Privilege Card Company, a subsidiary company of the Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports. This means your membership in the Thai Privilege card program includes a Privilege Entry Visa. It is by far the most convenient and stress-free visa to use to enter and live in Thailand with.

What is Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa given to Thailand Privilege Card members. It is under the category of a Tourist Visa or Privilege Entry (PE) Visa. It is a residence program allowing a foreigner to stay in Thailand for 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years depending on the package that you have chosen in exchange for the membership fee.

It is for anyone who comes regularly to Thailand but has no time to process the paperwork to enter the country or the paperwork to renew the visa every single year. It aims to attract affluent visitors, businessmen, investors, and expats who regularly fly in and out of Thailand or those who want to live in Thailand.

Here is a list of why it is convenient and stress-free:

The Thailand Elite Visa is a 5-year renewable multiple-entry visa that allows you to stay for an additional year after each entry. Thai Elite members for 10 or 20 years will receive 2 sets and 4 sets of 5-year visas respectively.
The Thailand Elite visa allows the holder to stay in Thailand continuously unlike those other types of visas that require you to leave after 90 days or have a limitation of 90 days.
On the 90-day reporting required by Thai Immigration, the Thai Elite Visa holder will be represented by Thailand Elite staff and not you.
When landing in Thailand, Thai Elite Visa holders will undergo faster immigration and passport control procedures as well as airport transfer services.

Benefits of Thailand Elite Visa

By getting a Thai Elite Visa, one can say that you are in for a treat. Here is another list of reasons why it is convenient and stress-free.

Airport Services. The Thai Elite Visa and membership come with airport services. There will be someone who will pick you up and escort you to a fast-track lane at immigration.
Special Discounts. The Thailand Elite Membership gives you discounts on specific activities that one member does, like shopping discounts or sports activities discounts. You can even get a discount on their private jet and yacht.
Long-Term Stay. The Thailand Elite Visa gives you the chance to choose the number of days or years of your stay in the country and you do not have to worry about paperwork every time you come over.
90-day Reporting. Thai Immigration requires foreigners staying in Thailand for an extended period to report their residence to immigration authorities every 90 days. Thailand Elite program offers support and assistance in completing the 90-day reporting, making it a more convenient experience for you.

Thailand Elite Packages and Fees

There are 7 different membership packages you can choose from the Thai Elite Visa. Here are the choices you can choose from:

Elite Easy Access (Popular)

Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
It costs THB 600,000 with no annual fee
You have the option to upgrade to Elite Ultimate Privilege
No age restriction; members can be any age

Elite Family Excursion (Popular, minimum of 2)

Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
It costs THB 800,000 with no annual fee (2 persons)
An additional fee of 300,000 THB for every family member

Elite Family Alternative

Membership validity of 10 years
The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years
It costs THB 800,000 with no annual fee
An additional fee of 700,000 THB for every family member

Elite Privilege Access

Membership validity of 10 years
The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years
It costs THB 1,000,000 with no annual fee
For additional family members, there is a fee of THB 800,000
No age restriction; members can be of any age

Elite Superiority Extension (Popular)

Membership validity of 20 years
It costs THB 1,000,000 with no annual fee
The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years (4 sets of 5-year multi-entry visas)

Elite Ultimate Privilege

Membership validity of 20 years
It costs THB 2.14 million (with an annual fee of THB 21,400
The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years (4 sets of 5-year multi-entry visas)
Members must be over 20 years old

Elite Family Premium

Applicable only to family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members
Membership fee of THB 1,000,000 with an annual fee of THB 10,000
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 visas)

How to Apply for Thai Elite Visa

In applying for the Thai Elite Visa, it is so easy that you do not need an agent or a third person to do it for you. It is stress-free and really made for convenience. Here is the process that you will go through upon applying for the Thai Elite Visa:

Application. Wherever you are in the world, you can apply for a Thai Elite Visa. Just fill in the necessary details and documents requested in the application form. Once submitted, they will do a thorough criminal background check on you and wait for the result for 4-6 weeks.

Membership Fee. If the result already came and was approved, you are paying the fee depending on your chosen package. The payment can be made online or by bank transfer.

Acceptance. Once the payment of the fee is done, you will receive the membership ID and instructions on how to receive the visa.

Issuance of Visa. The Thai Elite visa can be obtained at the Thai embassy or consulate in the member’s home country. Another option is if the applicant is already in Thailand, the Thai Elite visa can be affixed at the Bangkok Immigration office.

Qualifications for Thailand Elite Visa

One must be a holder of a foreign passport.
One is allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with immigration law. Also means that one must have no overstay record in Thailand.
There is no age limit except for the Elite Ultimate Privilege and Elite Maxima Health.
One must have no criminal record or must have not been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any country except for a specific offense committed by negligence only.
One must not have been adjudicated bankrupt.
One must not have been declared as a person of unsound mind, incompetence, and quasi-incompetence.