Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Thailand Elite application and membership that we have compiled for you.

Thailand Elite Visa

Bronze

Gold

  • Bonus points: 20 per year

    • platinum

  • Additional membership fee: THB 1,000,000
  • Bonus points: 35 per year

    • diamond

  • Additional membership fee: THB 1,500,000
  • Bonus points: 55 per year

    • Reserve

  • Additional membership fee: THB 2,000,000
  • Bonus points: 120 per year
  • By invitation only / 100 applicants per year

    • The cost of the Thai Elite Visa depends on the chosen membership program. There are several Thai Elite Visa membership programs, which differ in terms of validity, benefits, and costs. An overview can be found 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 (By 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 at the beginning of the Thai Elite Privilege program. This visa is no longer issued.

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

    Thai Elite Visa Application

    The applicant must submit the following documents:

  • Completed application form for the Thai Elite Visa
  • Passport profile page (color scan)
  • ID card with photo on a white background (high resolution). In the case of a family member, a copy of the proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate) is required.

    • Processing takes approximately one to three months. This depends on the applicant's location. Some places or countries are easily accessible and communication is straightforward, while others are difficult.

  • Please fill out the application form completely (sign each page).
  • Submit an application along with a color scan of your passport's profile page and a passport photo (the photo can be taken with a mobile device, but must be of high quality and have a white background).
  • Thai Elite Privilege conducts a thorough review and background check with the Thai immigration authorities.
  • The visa has been approved, and the customer will be notified by email.
  • The customer pays a membership fee after approval.
  • The visa will be issued and can be collected from: the Thai embassy in the customer's home country; the Thai immigration office in Bangkok; or upon arrival in Thailand at Bangkok airport.

    • Due diligence can take 4 to 6 weeks for most nationalities and up to 3 months for certain nationalities.

    You can contact your agent during the approval process to get an update. You will be notified by email once your application has been approved. You will then receive an approval letter and instructions for the final visa application.

    No. Your Thai Elite application includes a field where you can provide a residential address in Thailand, if you have one. However, this is not a requirement for the application.

    Original documents are not required. We only need a color copy of the scanned documents. All correspondence can be sent by email to your representative, for example, Siam Legal.

    Once you receive your approval letter, you have three months to decide when you want to have your visa sticker issued. Your membership fee can be paid at any time within these three months.

    The letter of approval is valid for 1 month from the date of approval and can be extended by 30 days.

    Background checks

    We will provide you with a questionnaire and an application form to facilitate your application and background check. The following information is required:

  • Full name (as it appears in the passport)
  • Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • Have you exceeded your permitted stay in Thailand within the last 3 years?
  • Do you have a valid Thai visa?
  • If so, what type of visa is it?
  • Does your passport have at least 3 pages?

    • Your data will be forwarded to the Thai Immigration Bureau and relevant authorities. They will verify your personal and passport details. They will also conduct the necessary due diligence and investigations to ensure the following:

  • Criminal record in Thailand or your home country.
  • Previous insolvency or bankruptcy.
  • Previous overstays or entry bans to Thailand.
  • Previous Thai visas and their status.

    • The background check is carried out by the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Royal Thai Police.

    After careful examination, the authorities confirm that you have not been sentenced to imprisonment in any country except for a crime committed through negligence.

    You were sentenced to imprisonment by court order. A prison sentence for a negligently committed offense is sufficient. A fine or an entry in your criminal record, but not a prison sentence, will not affect your application with Thai Elite.

    Depending on the severity and nature of your criminal conviction in Thailand, you may be eligible for a Thai Elite Visa. Speak to a lawyer before submitting your application.

    If you have not been incarcerated, you may be eligible to apply for a Thai Elite Visa. If you are aware of your conviction, consult a lawyer before applying. Siam Legal International is a law firm specializing in Thai Elite Visas and can advise you on criminal records and visa requirements.

    The time limits for insolvency proceedings can vary from country to country; for example, in Australia, insolvency will be recorded in your file for 10 years.

    If you are outside the insolvency period of your home country, you can apply for a Thai Elite Visa. If you are currently in insolvency proceedings, you cannot apply for a visa.

    Fees for the elite visa for Thailand

    The only fee payable when applying for a Thai Elite Visa is the membership fee, which is due upon approval.

    A registered Thai Elite agent is paid directly by Thailand Elite Privilege. Clients do not have to pay the agent anything.

    Note: Before you engage a registered representative, ask if there are any additional fees.

    There are four Thai Elite Visa packages, namely the following:

    Siam Legal International does not charge a fee for its Thai Elite Visa service. You will receive a commission from Thailand Elite Privilege for each successful referral.

    payment

    Membership can be purchased by credit card or bank transfer.

  • Transfer from a local bank. 1 business day.
  • Deposit at a local bank. Thailand Privilege Card account
  • Foreign bank – Exact amount in THB. 3–5 days. (Proof required – MT103)

    • You pay your membership fee once your visa has been approved and you have received an approval letter. You will then receive a payment instruction and have three months (the validity period of the approval letter) to pay the fee.

    Yes. Payments can be made in China via e-banking using the methods mentioned above.

    No. Thai Elite membership cannot be paid for with cryptocurrency. See the table of payment methods above.

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

    You can transfer the membership fee in any currency, but it must be received by the receiving Thai bank in THB.

    Sometimes you can send a small additional amount to compensate for any differences in currency exchange.

    You can't send any more money, as you won't receive a refund. A few hundred or thousand baht excess is fine.

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

    Yes. Speak to the staff at Thailand Elite Privilege or your travel agent. They will explain how to make multiple payments.

    Bank accounts

    No. You do not need a Thai bank account to apply for your visa. One advantage of the Thai Elite Visa is the option to open a bank account in Thailand.

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

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

    Yes. Once you receive your Thai Elite Visa, you can open a Thai bank account. Your agent will assist you with this.

  • Work permit, nonimmigrant B visa for business or work purposes, OA long-term visa, or a three-year nonimmigrant business visa.

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

  • Proof of Thai residence: rental or lease agreement.
  • Proof of residence in your home country. You can bring, for example, your bank statement, your driver's license, or a utility bill (electricity, gas, or water).
  • Proof of ownership of real estate in Thailand (if applicable).
  • Letters of recommendation from your bank, embassy, ​​or a Thai educational institution.
  • A letter from your company confirming that you have been granted a work permit.

    • There is no minimum deposit required to open a Thai bank account. However, a branch may ask you for a deposit of 500 baht when you open the account.

    Yes. You need a Thai mobile phone number to open a bank account and register for mobile banking.

    Income and Thai Elite Visa

    No specific income is required for the Thai Elite Visa, as long as you can pay the fee for the chosen package and have not filed for bankruptcy at least once.

    You will need to apply for a non-immigrant work visa and a work permit. However, this will not affect the validity of your Thai Elite Visa. Converting to a non-immigrant work visa will not suspend your Thai Elite Visa. This applies to companies based in Thailand.

    If the company is located outside of Thailand and you work remotely, this is also possible, and you do not need a non-immigrant work visa or work permit.

    Old

    There is no age restriction for Thai elite visas, except for the Elite Ultimate Privilege. Applicants for the Elite Ultimate Privilege must be at least 20 years old.

    Yes. There is no age limit for applying for a Thai Elite Visa.

    Certain requirements must be met to apply for a Non-Immigrant O or Non-Immigrant OA Retirement Visa.

    The visa must meet one of the following financial requirements:

  • A security deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to visa application.
  • Monthly income of 65,000 THB
  • The combination of security deposit and annual income totals 800,000 THB.

    • The attached documents are as follows:

  • In the case of a security deposit, you must provide a current bank book or savings book as well as a letter from your bank showing that the money has been deposited into the account from abroad for at least two months.
  • If proof of income is required, we need a letter from your embassy in Thailand confirming your monthly income.
  • If your embassy does not issue proof of income, you must provide a bank statement for the last 12 months showing regular deposits of 65,000 Baht into a Thai bank account.

    • The following additional requirements must be met for a pension visa:

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

    Generally, all foreigners need a visa to enter Thailand. However, children under 14 years of age do not receive an entry in their passports indicating an unauthorized stay.

    The cost for a child under the Thai Elite Visa depends on the membership of the main visa holder.

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

    • There is no limit to the number of children that can be added to an elite visa. However, the corresponding documents (birth certificate) must be submitted for each child.

    passport

    The minimum passport validity period for applying for membership is one year. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least five years before applying for the Thai Elite Visa.

    If the validity period of your current passport is insufficient or less than five years, the privileged entry visa will be issued according to the expiry date of the current passport.

    Once you have received your new passport, you must present both your old and new passports to an embassy to have the visa transferred to the new passport. The visa is valid until its original expiry date of five years.

    Yes. As long as you have not exceeded the validity period of your current entry stamp, any holder of a tourist visa can easily upgrade to a Thailand Elite Visa.

    When submitting the background check application, the passport must be valid for at least 12 months.

    Yes. If you receive a new passport at the start of a new 5-year visa period, the second visa will be entered in your new passport and your passport details will be updated with Thai Elite Privilege and the Immigration Department.

    Notify Thai Elite Privilege if you wish to transfer your visa to a new passport.

    Send Thai Elite an email with your arrival details and you will be picked up at the airport and quickly taken through immigration control.

    If you are in Thailand, you must update your passport in Bangkok. Take both passports to the embassy and have the new Thai Elite sticker affixed to your updated passport.

    Thai Elite Visas and Work Permits

    Since the Thai Elite Visa is considered a tourist visa, holders of a Thai work permit are not eligible to apply for membership in the Thai Elite Visa program. Their non-immigrant visa must be canceled before their Thai Elite Visa can be validated.

    You will need to apply for a non-immigrant work visa and a work permit, yes. This does not affect the validity of the Thai Elite Visa, as its validity period is simply 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.

    Members of Thai Elite can look for work in Thailand, but once they have found employment, they must leave Thailand and re-enter on a non-immigrant visa to apply for a work permit.

    A work permit is required for any type of work in Thailand. Therefore, you need a Non-Immigrant B Visa and a work permit if you work for a company, or a Non-Immigrant O Visa and a work permit if you work for a non-governmental organization (NGO).

    Individuals with a non-immigrant visa can begin the application process for a Thai Elite Visa. However, the existing visa must be cancelled before the Thai Elite Visa can be affixed to the passport, without having to leave Thailand.

    No. An education visa is considered a long-term visa and must be cancelled before applying for a Thai Elite Visa. After cancelling the education visa and applying for the Thai Elite Visa, you must leave Thailand and have the new visa stamped in your passport upon re-entry. Foreigners with an education visa that is not certified by the OBEC will not receive a Thai Elite Visa.

    Many people study in Thailand to obtain a long-term education visa. With a Thai Elite Visa, you can also study privately in Thailand.

    However, you cannot apply for an education visa if you hold a Thai Elite Visa.

    Stay in Thailand

    Each stay in Thailand allows you to remain for 1 to 2 years per entry (including extensions).

    Your visa is valid for 365 days upon each entry, however you can apply for an extension of 1 year at the immigration office.

    Visa stamps are issued in 5-year blocks:

    No. Members of Thai Elite are allowed to stay in Thailand for 365 days at a time. After that, they must leave and re-enter.

    You only need to leave the country for 1 day.

    You can apply for a one-year extension of your stay and then you do not have to leave the country for two years.

    You only need to leave the country for one day and are then allowed to re-enter Thailand. After your arrival, you will receive a stay permit valid for 365 days.

    You can apply for a one-year extension of your stay at the immigration office. This allows you to stay in Thailand for two years before you have to leave the country.

    Yes. As long as your application is being processed but not yet approved, you can enter Thailand on a tourist visa. Once your application is approved, you will pay your membership fee and receive instructions on how to upgrade from a tourist visa to a Thai Elite Visa.

    There is no distance limit for airport transfers, however applicants must redeem points.

  • Standard airport transfer – 1 point
  • Luxury airport transfer by car – 2 points
  • Airport transfers for long-haul flights – 3 points

    • 90-day report

    Yes, you still need to submit the 90-day report. However, there is a special service that allows you to do so without going to the immigration office in person. You can contact the Thailand Elite Help Center or get assistance there with completing your 90-day report.

    This will not be considered an overstay. Therefore, you only need to pay a late registration fee of 2000 Thai Baht.

    You can contact Thai Elite Privilege customer service, who will assist you in organizing your 90-day report.

    Children

    Generally, all foreigners need a visa to enter Thailand. However, children under 14 years of age do not receive an entry in their passport indicating an unauthorized stay.

    Children over 14 years of age may receive an overstay stamp in their passport. Children over 14 years of age require a valid visa stamp in their passport.

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

    Alternatively, the child can receive an education visa and the parents a non-immigrant guardianship visa.

    Speak to a Thai visa advisor about which option is best for your family, or visit this website of the Thai visa service.

    Alternatively, the child can receive a long-term education visa and the parents can hold a non-immigrant guardianship visa.

    Yes. When applying for a Thai Elite Family Visa, documents confirming the family relationship must be included.

    retirement

    You do not need to leave Thailand for the Elite Visa. You can switch from your Non-O Pension Visa to the Elite Visa while still within Thailand.

    Property

    You can own a condominium, but not the land. You can build a building, but not the land. You can only lease the land and build your building on it.

    Thai Elite Privilege has partnerships with select property developers in Thailand. If you purchase a property through one of these developers and meet the purchase conditions, you will receive a free Thai Elite Visa.

    You apply for the visa directly with the property developer.

    The real estate partnership program requires you to purchase a condominium to receive a free elite visa. Your purchase must be worth at least 10 million THB to qualify for the visa.

    The developer will apply for your elite visa directly on your behalf.

    Yes. As long as your total purchase value is 10 million baht or more and you are working with an approved developer, you can purchase multiple condominiums.

    Visit our comprehensive guide to buying a condominium in Thailand.

    Flights

    No. You do not need flight bookings when applying for Thai Elite. If you wish to affix your Elite visa sticker at the airport, you can present your welcome letter or the appointment confirmation letter issued by Thai Elite to your airline.

    If you wish to have your visa stamped upon arrival in Thailand, you must land in Bangkok or Phuket, as the stamp will be placed in your passport either at these airports or at the Thai immigration office in Bangkok.

    If you apply for your visa at the Thai embassy in your home country, you can enter Thailand via any international airport.

    health insurance

    No. Health insurance is not required when applying for a Thai Elite Visa. However, due to Covid-19, health insurance is currently mandatory for entry into Thailand.

    Travel insurance is optional. If you would like to purchase health insurance for your stay in Thailand, you can find more information here.

    Health insurance is not required for applying to the Thai Elite Program or for entering Thailand. Since it is optional, you can purchase insurance in your home country.

    Tax

    No. There is no obligation to pay taxes on money that is transferred into the country from abroad.

    Membership in Thai Elite does not grant permanent residency in Thailand. However, Thai Elite members can voluntarily pay income tax in Thailand and obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

    Those who receive income from abroad are not subject to income tax in Thailand. However, members of Thai Elite can voluntarily pay income tax in Thailand and obtain a TIN (Thai Tax Identification Number).

    Problems with visa overstay

    Anyone who remains in Thailand after the departure date stamped in their passport is considered to have overstayed their visa.

    When complying with entry requirements at the airport in Thailand:

  • If the permitted length of stay is exceeded by less than 90 days, a penalty of 500 Thai Baht per day will be imposed (maximum 20,000 Thai Baht).
  • Exceeding the permitted length of stay by more than 90 days may result in a one-year entry ban to Thailand and a fine of 20,000 Thai Baht.
  • Exceeding the permitted length of stay by more than one year can result in a three-year entry ban to Thailand and a fine of 20,000 Thai Baht.
  • Overstaying the permitted length of stay by more than 3 years can result in a 5-year entry ban to Thailand and a fine of 20,000 Baht.
  • Overstaying the permitted length of stay by more than 5 years can result in a 10-year entry ban to Thailand and a fine of 20,000 Baht.

    • You must leave Thailand to rectify the overstay. The immigration officer will note the following:

  • Confirmation of payment of the fine, including the payment date

    • If the overstay has been resolved, the payment is recorded in your passport, and there is no entry ban, then you are entitled to apply.

    If you correct an overstay of your right of residence, the following information will be displayed in your passport:

    You may be required to provide a scanned copy of this passport page. You must also ensure that you have left Thailand after paying the overstay fine.

    Privilege Points System

    Each membership includes a certain number of benefit points that can be redeemed annually and offer members the following advantages:

  • Give members more freedom of choice in selecting and using the services they want.
  • The number of points required for a particular privilege is very low, and often members only need to spend 1 to 3 points per benefit.
  • The points are reset to the default value each year for each membership package. This means that if you were unable to use the desired service in one year, you can redeem your points for it in the following year.

    • The points distribution is as follows:

  • 1 point: Used to purchase benefits such as airport transfers, free dinners, spa packages, access to hotel fitness centers and cinema tickets in the "buy 1, get 1 free" offer.
  • 2 points: are used to purchase privileges such as airport transfers in luxury vehicles, dental examinations, health checks, golf discounts and tickets to sporting events.
  • 3 points: Domestic flights (round trip), airport transfers for longer distances, private tours, health checks and tickets for world-class concerts.

    • Contact with Thai elite agents

    If you would like to speak with our Thai visa expert at Siam Legal, you can reach us by email at [email protected] or via LINE and WhatsApp. We would be happy to arrange a telephone, video, or in-person consultation with you.

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