The Thailand Elite Program was launched in 2003 by Thailand Privilege Card Ltd., a state-owned company operating under the supervision of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as its sole shareholder. At that time, Thailand Elite was the first residency by investment program in Asia. Today, the program has over 15,000 members from 50 countries around the world.
The primary aim of the Thailand Elite Program is to support the local economy by attracting affluent visitors, investors, and businesspeople to Thailand. The program seeks to achieve this by facilitating immigration procedures and offering various other privileges to Thailand Elite Program Members. Indeed, as a state-owned enterprise operating under the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Elite is the only country membership program that offers its members special privileges in the areas of immigration, business and leisure.
The many different privileges afforded to members of the Thailand Elite Program include services from both the public and private sectors, such as special entry permits, VIP airport services, limousine services, 24/7 concierge services, and assistance with opening bank accounts. However, perhaps the most popular privilege for Thailand Elite members is the Thailand Elite Visa.
The Thailand Elite Visa is one of the main privileges available to members of the Thailand Elite Program. Known officially as a ‘Privilege Entry Visa’, it is a 5-year multiple entry visa. This means that the visa holder can enter Thailand as often as they like during the visa’s 5-year period of validity without being required to apply for a re-entry permit. Each time the visa-holder enters Thailand, they are permitted to stay for up to one year per entry. However, the visa-holder can also apply for an extension while they are in Thailand as long as they do so while the visa is still active.
By facilitating the immigration process and allowing for stays of up to one year or longer, the Thailand Elite Visa is ideal for anyone planning to stay in Thailand for an extended period or people who visit Thailand frequently, whether for business, education or pleasure.
Anyone who has already been accepted as a Thai Elite member can apply for a Thailand Elite Visa as one of their membership privileges. There is no age limit, except for the Elite Ultimate Privilege (Grand Package), which requires the member to be at least 20 years old. In addition to being a Thai Elite member, Thailand Elite Visa applicants must also have an active foreign (non-Thai) passport and currently not have any restrictions on their ability to enter or stay in Thailand according to Thai immigration laws. The only other restrictions relate to criminal history, bankruptcy and mental health.
Membership of the Thailand Elite Program comes with several benefits. These benefits begin as soon as the Thailand Elite member lands at the airport in Thailand, where they will be met by an Elite Personal Assistant who will assist with services such as exclusive fast track immigration for both arrival and departure and access to an exclusive airport lounge for both arrival and departure.
The Elite Member Contact Center is also available 24/7 to assist Thailand Elite members with any questions, problems or emergencies. Members also receive assistance from an Elite Personal Liaison with legal, insurance, real estate and banking services, as well as government transactions such as the 90-day service report or getting a Thai driver’s license.
The Elite Personal Liaison can also assist with accessing discounts and booking services with Thailand Elite partner establishments, which include restaurants, spas, hospitals, golf courses, and department stores, including the King Power duty-free store.
One of the main benefits of Thailand Elite membership is the choice of Thailand Elite Visa packages. Offering members a long-term resident visa or long-stay visa, the Thailand Elite Visa is valid for an initial 5 years with the option of extending it for another 5. The Thai Elite Visa allows the holder to stay in Thailand for up to one year on each visit without having to leave the country every 90 days as is required with the other visas. Other Thai Elite Visa benefits include assistance with passport control, immigration and the 90-day reporting required by Thai Immigration.
ALA offers professional and legally-recognized assistance with the Thai Elite Visa application process as a white hat service. This means that using ALA’s Thai Elite Visa application service ensures the Thai Elite Member can rest assured that everything is legal and complete, leaving them free to enjoy a worry-free time in Thailand. In the past, reports have highlighted how some Thailand Elite members secured their Thai Elite Visa from an illegal service provider, which resulted in the visa holder having their visa suspended or being subject to other penalties.
There are 7 types of Thailand elite visa programs, it offers different membership validity for 5, 10, and 20 years and also different membership fee and different benefits in each program.
The Elite Visa is a type of long-term visa available to foreign nationals who wish to reside in Thailand for an extended period of time. To be eligible for an Elite Visa, you must meet certain requirements and complete the necessary application process.
Here are the steps you can follow to apply for an Elite Visa in Thailand:
It’s important to note that the requirements and application process for an Elite Visa may change over time, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information and requirements before applying. You can find more information about the Elite Visa and the application process on the website of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The process of applying for both the Thai Elite Privilege Card membership and the Thai Elite Visa can vary from as little as 3 weeks to as much as 3 months. The factors affecting the length of the application process include the nationality of the applicant and time to check the immigration status and criminal history of the applicant.
When applying for Thai Elite membership and the Thai Elite Visa, the applicant will need a valid passport as well as a color ID photo, a completed Thai Elite Visa application form, and proof of relationship for any family member applying with the main applicant.
No. It is not necessary to have any of the supporting documents notarized or certified when applying for a Thai Elite Visa. Scanned copies of the required documents can be sent via email.
It is not necessary to appear in person during the initial Thai Elite membership application process. A sales agent will represent the applicant and attend all appointments during the process of applying for Thailand Elite membership. However, it is necessary for the applicant to attend in person when the visa is issued, whether it is issued at a Thai Embassy abroad, at Suvarnabhumi airport, or at the Bangkok immigration office.
The Thailand Elite Visa is a privilege of Thai Elite Card Membership and therefore does not incur an additional cost on top of the original membership fee, which ranges from 600,000 Thai baht to 2 million Thai baht depending on which Thai Elite Card the member holds.
No. Aside from the application fee, there is no financial requirement for the applicant to earn a minimum level of income or have a set amount in a bank account. However, the applicant must not have been declared legally bankrupt.
Classed as a special tourist visa or privilege entry visa, the Thailand Elite Visa includes various privileges. For example, it is not necessary for the Thai Elite Visa holder to pay income taxes on income earned from outside of Thailand. However, any income generated in Thailand may be subject to local income tax.
There are a number of differences between the Thai Elite Visa and the Thai Retirement Visa. Unlike the Thai Elite Visa, the Thai Retirement Visa requires a set amount to be deposited in the visa holder’s bank account and it must be renewed every year.
As will all foreigners, Thai Elite Visa holders are allowed to own condominiums in their own name. However, they can also own land and a house by obtaining a long-term lease (up to 30 years) for any land they want to acquire and applying for a construction permit to build a house in their own name.
To find out how ALA can help you with your Thailand Elite Visa application process or to book an appointment.
To find out how ALA can help you with your Thailand Elite Visa application process or to book an appointment. read more FAQ of Elite Visa
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