A Thailand Privilege Reserve membership is only accessible to applicants via an invitation from the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., the government-owned company in charge of the program. With a limited pool of 100 persons each year, the Reserve tier is the most desired membership option for those looking to make Thailand a luxurious second home. And thanks to the membership’s flexibility, if the applicant no longer wishes to enjoy the benefits of Thailand Privilege, the membership is transferable.
Even though only those who receive the invitation can apply for this membership, it is possible to start at one of the other memberships, such as Diamond or Platinum, and from there receive an invitation to upgrade. There are no guaranteed ways of securing an invitation to Reserve, but the perks enjoyed by the lower tiers are virtually the same in terms of availability if not amount, and having an existing relationship with the Thailand Privilege Card authority will “put you on their radar.”
Overview of the Thailand Privilege RESERVE Membership
Here are the basic details for Reserve membership:
- Membership Validity: 20 years
- Membership Fee (primary applicant): 5 Million THB
- Membership Fee (additional members): 2 Million THB
- Privilege Points: 120 points per year
- Transferable: Yes
Reserve membership holders are able to stay in Thailand for 20 years through a 5-year visa that can be renewed four times. Even when the membership period is up, those with Reserve memberships can continue to renew their visa in perpetuity if they are approved. The Thai Elite Visa provided by this membership is a multi-entry visa, meaning holders can enter and exit Thailand as often as they please, all the while enjoying expedited processing through immigration at the airport.
However, members are unable to obtain a work permit or gain employment with a Thai company, as a Thai Elite Visa is ultimately a tourist visa. However, there are no restrictions on foreign income, and members can still profit from investments in Thailand.
Reserve members are still obligated to do their 90-day reporting, but the reporting period may be extended to 1 year based on signals from and discussion with the Thailand Privilege Card authority in early 2024. This would mean that Elite Visa holders would only need to report to immigration once every 365 days.
What are the Benefits of the RESERVE Membership?
The long list of perks, discounts, and free services available through Thailand Privilege is too numerous to mention all of them here, but here are some examples:
- Premium Lane for immigration fast-tracking at ports of entry
- Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) service upon arrival at the airport
- Concierge services to assist with various administrative tasks, including visa-related processes (90-day report, etc.), driving license applications, and opening a bank account
- Health checkups, wellness packages, and other medical treatments at Thailand’s leading hospitals
- Discounts at popular retail shopping and fine dining establishments
- Wealth advisory services
- Free movie tickets, rounds of golf, spa treatments, hotel stays, airport transfers, and much more
- Member Contact Center (MCC), an exclusive 24/7 hotline to assist with everything related to Thailand Privilege
- And many, many more
Eligibility Requirements
While less stringent than those for other long-term Thai visas, Thailand Privilege has a handful of eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to ensure their application is not rejected.
- The applicant’s foreign passport must have at least 1 year of remaining validity at the time of application
- There must be no record of overstay or other violations of Thai immigration law
- No record of bankruptcy, criminal conviction, or mental incompetency
- Applicant must not hold or ever have held a volunteer visa
- Applicant’s foreign passport must not be from these UN-sanctioned territories:
- Asia: Afghanistan, North Korea, Pakistan
- Africa: Central Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan
- Middle East: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Yemen
How to Apply for a Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership
The first step to apply for a Thailand Privilege membership and the accompanying Thai Elite Visa should be to engage the services of a General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA). These are organizations certified by the government to assist applicants to the Thailand Privilege program. They have comprehensive knowledge of the program and its processes, enabling them to provide consultations as well as application preparation services.
Applying through a GSSA makes the whole process swift and streamlined while minimizing the chances of rejection. Best of all, these services are completely free to applicants thanks to government subsidies. Applicants are warned against applying through unauthorized visa agents, as there is always a risk of fraud, and should look for the official GSSA seal:
Application Process
- Gather Required Documents:
- A Thailand Privilege Reserve membership application form
- Membership application forms for additional members (if applicable)
- A Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) form
- A Membership Application Payment Form
- A recent passport photocopy (in color)
- A recent passport-size photo (in color, against a white background)
- Supplementary documents (as required, such as if adding family members or if applicant is a previous/current holder of an ED Visa)
- Submit Application: Forward all required documents to a GSSA. They will review the application for completeness and accuracy. At this point the applicant must also pay the 50,000 THB application fee. This fee will be deducted from the total membership fee upon completion of the background check.
- Background Check: Once the application is cleared and submitted, the Thai immigration authorities will perform a background check, which will take 4-6 weeks.
- Approval and Payment: Following a successful background check, applicants receive an approval letter and an invoice. The next step involves payment of the membership fee to the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., minus the 50,000 THB application fee.
- Welcome Kit: After payment is processed, applicants receive a welcome letter and membership ID within 10 business days.
- Visa Affixation: The final step is the affixation of the Thailand Elite Visa to the member’s passport, which can be done at the immigration office, the airport upon arrival, or at a Thai embassy.
Interested in applying for a Thailand Privilege Reserve membership?
If you’re ready for the easiest and most rewarding way to stay in Thailand long-term, then contact Siam Legal to begin your Thailand Privilege application. We are a leading GSSA authorized by the Thai government to provide knowledgeable, effective, and free support for your application. Partner with us and we’ll make sure your application process is smooth, stress-free, and has the best chance for success. Fill out and submit the form on this page to get started!
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