Below are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Thailand Elite application and membership that we prepared for you.
Thailand Elite Visa
What Thai Elite visas are available?
Gold
- Valid for 5 years
- Cost: THB 900,000
- Privilege Points: 20 per year
Platinum
- Valid for 10 years
- Cost: THB 1.5 million
- Additional member fee: THB 1,000,000
- Privilege Points: 35 per year
Diamond
- Valid for 15 years
- Cost: THB 2.5 million
- Additional member fee: THB 1,500,000
- Privilege Points: 55 per year
Reserve
- Valid for 20 years
- Cost: THB 5 million
- Additional member fee: THB 2,000,000
- Privilege Points: 120 per year
- Invitation only / 100 applicants per year
How much does the Thailand Elite visa cost?
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 (Invitation Only)
- 5,000,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee / 1 person
- 2,000,000 Thai Baht / additional family members
I have seen a Thai Elite 30-year lifetime option on social media. Is this still available?
It is possible for an existing lifetime member to transfer their visa to another person.
Thai Elite Visa Application
What documents are needed to apply for the Thai Elite Visa?
- Completed Thai Elite Visa application form
- Profile Page of passport (Color scan)
- ID with white background photo (high-resolution). In case of a family member, one needs a copy of proof of relationship as the immediate family of the core member (marriage or birth certificate).
How long is the application process?
What is the application process?
- Complete application form (sign every page).
- Submit an application with a color scan copy of the passport profile page and a passport-size photo (the photo can be taken on a mobile device but must be high quality and have a white background).
- Thai Elite Privilege conducts due diligence and background check with Thai Immigration and Authorities.
- Visa is approved, and the client is notified by email.
- Client pays a membership fee after approval.
- Payment is confirmed.
- Visa is issued and can be collected at:
- the local Thai Embassy in the client’s country.
- Thai Immigration Bangkok.
- On arrival in Thailand at Bangkok airport.
What is the processing time for a Thai Elite visa approval?
Will I be updated during the approval process?
Do I need to have a residential address in Thailand to apply for Thai Elite?
Do I need to send original application documents or can I scan and email?
How long after approval to get the visa sticker?
How long is the approval letter valid?
Are there registered Thai Elite visa agents outside of Thailand?
Background Checks
What information do I need to provide for a background check?
- Full Name (as shown in the passport)
- Gender
- Title Name (Mr. or Miss)
- Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
- Nationality
- Passport No.
- Place of Issue
- Issue Date
- Expiry Date
- Occupation
- Business Title
- Company Name
- Nature of Business
- Home Address
- Home Phone or Mobile
- Email Address
- Mailing Address
- Have you overstayed in Thailand in the past 3 years?
- Do you have a current Thai visa?
- If yes, what type of visa?
- Do you have at least 3 pages in your passport?
What is involved with the background check?
- Criminal records in Thailand or your home country.
- Past bankruptcy or insolvency.
- Previous overstay or bans from Thailand.
- Previous Thai visas and their status.
Who conducts the background check?
Does the background check look for a criminal conviction in my home country or in Thailand?
What constitutes a criminal conviction?
I have a previous criminal conviction in Thailand. Am I eligible for a Thai Elite visa?
I have a previous criminal conviction in my home country. Am I eligible for a Thai Elite visa?
I have previously been bankrupt. Am I eligible to apply for Thai Elite?
If you are outside the timeframe of bankruptcy for your country, then you are eligible to apply for a Thai Elite visa. If you are currently within the term of bankruptcy, then you cannot apply for a visa.
Thai Elite Visa Fees
What fees are applicable when applying for a Thai Elite Visa?
A registered Thai Elite agent will be reimbursed directly by Thailand Elite Privilege. Clients would not need to pay anything to the agent.
Note: Before enlisting the service of a registered agent, ask if they charge any additional fees.
How much is a Thai Elite Visa Package?
Gold
- 900,000 THB
- 5 Years
Platinum
- 1,500,000 THB
- 10 Years
Diamond
- 2,500,000 THB
- 15 Years
Reserve
- 5,000,000
- 20 Years
- Invitation Only
What fee does Siam Legal International charge?
Payment
How can I pay for the application?
- Transfer from a local bank. 1 business day
- Deposit at a local bank. Thailand Privilege Card Account
- Mobile Banking
- Credit Card
- Overseas bank – Exact amount in THB. 3-5 days. (proof needed – MT103)
- AliPay – Scan QR code
When do I pay for the visa?
Can I pay for my Thai Elite visa via E-bank in China?
Can I pay for my Thai Elite with crypto?
Refer to the payment method table above.
Does my membership fee have to be paid from a foreign bank account?
Do I need to transfer my membership fee in Thai baht?
Sometimes, you can send a bit with excess to the amount that is required to cover any discrepancy in the currency exchange/conversion.
But you cannot send more because you will not be refunded. A few hundred baht or a thousand baht excess is alright.
My bank is asking for either an ID number or the registration number of the company the money is being sent to.
Can I transfer the membership with multiple payments?
Bank Accounts
Do I need a Thai Bank Account to apply for a Thai Elite visa?
Do I need to deposit money into a Thai bank account to pay for the Thai Elite visa?
How much savings do I have to hold in a Thai bank account for a Thai Elite visa?
Can I open a bank account with a Thai Elite Visa?
What documents do I need to open a bank account?
- A passport
- Work permit, non-immigrant B visa for business or work, O-A long-stay visa, or a three-year non-immigrant visa for business.
- Certificate of Residence
Some banks may require more documents. You may be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:
- Proof of Thai residency: Rental or lease agreement.
- Proof of residency in your home country. You may bring your bank statement, driver’s license, or utility bill.
- Proof of property ownership in Thailand. (if applicable)
- Letter of reference from your home bank, your embassy, or a Thai educational institution.
- Letter from your company stating that you are getting a work permit.
Do I need to place savings in a Thai bank account when opening?
Do I need a Thai mobile number for mobile banking?
Income and Thai Elite Visa
Is there any income qualification for the applicant to be granted the Thai Elite Visa?
Can I work even though I am a Thai Elite member?
If the company is located outside of Thailand and you are working remotely, this is also possible, and you won’t need a non-immigrant work visa or work permit.
Age
Is there any age limit for an applicant to be granted the Thai Elite Visa?
I am 55 years old. Can I apply for a Thai Elite visa?
What is the benefit of a Thai Elite visa over a Retirement Visa?
Visa must meet any of the financial requirements:
- Security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the visa application
- Monthly Income of 65,000 THB
- Combination of the security deposit and annual income with a total of 800,000 THB
Supporting documents are as follows:
- In case of a security deposit, you will provide an updated bank book or passbook together with a bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an overseas source for not less than 2 months.
- In case of income, a letter from your embassy in Thailand verifying your monthly income;
- In case your embassy does not issue an income letter, you will provide a 12-month bank statement showing a regular deposit of 65,000 baht into a Thai bank account.
A retirement visa also requires:
- Police Clearance
- Medical Certificate
- Annual Health Insurance
- Renewal every 12 months
A Thai Elite visa does not require income/savings in Thailand, or health insurance, and does not need to be renewed every 12 months.
What age must children hold a visa in Thailand?
What is the visa cost per child?
- Platinum – 1,000,000 THB / per child
- Diamond – 1,500,000 THB / per child
- Reserve – 2,000,000 THB / per child
Is there a limit to how many children can be part of a Thai Elite visa?
Passport
What is the minimum passport validity for a Thai Elite visa application?
What happens if I do not have the minimum passport validity?
When you receive your new passport, you will need to take the old passport and new passport to an embassy and have the visa transferred to the new passport. The visa will be valid until the original 5-year expiry date.
Can I apply for the Thai Elite Visa even if I have a tourist visa?
My passport will expire during the application process. Can I apply for a Thai Elite visa and then provide the new passport?
Can I place my second Thai Elite visa in a new passport?
How do I transfer my Thai Elite visa from an old passport to a new passport?
Email Thai Elite with your arrival details and you’ll be met at the airport and fast-tracked through immigration.
If you are in Thailand, you will need to update your passport in Bangkok. Take both passports to the embassy and affix the new Thai Elite label to your new passport.
Thai Elite Visa and Working Permits
Can I apply for a Thai Elite Visa membership if I hold a Non-immigrant visa (work visa) and work permit?
Can I work even though I am a Thai Elite member?
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.
Can I apply for a work permit with a Thai Elite visa?
Can Thai Elite work for NGO?
Can a person on a Non-immigrant visa (work visa) apply for Thai Elite?
Can a person on an Education visa apply for Thai Elite?
Can I study in Thailand with a Thai Elite Visa?
However, you cannot apply for an Education visa while holding a Thai Elite visa.
Staying in Thailand
How long can I stay in the country per visit?
Your visa is valid for 365 days with each entry, but you can apply for a 1-year extension at immigration.
How long do visas last?
- Gold – 1 x 5 years
- Platinum – 2 x 5 years
- Diamond – 3 x 5 years
- Reserve – 4 x 5 years
Can I stay in Thailand for the full 5 years without leaving the country?
You only need to leave the country for 1 day.
You can apply for a 1-year extension of stay and not have to leave the country for 2 years.
How long do I have to leave the country before re-entering?
Can I extend my length of stay without leaving the country?
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa if my Thai Elite is not approved before my travel date?
Is there a distance limit for airport transfer with Thai Elite?
- Standard Airport Transfer – 1 Point
- Luxury Car Airport Transfer – 2 Points
- Long-haul Airport Transfer – 3 Points
90 Day Reporting
If I already am a Thai Elite Member, do I need to do the 90-day report?
What if I failed to do the 90-day report?
How do I organize my 90-day reporting as a Thai Elite visa holder?
Children
If I have a child, does my child need to have a visa to stay with me in Thailand?
What age must children hold a visa in Thailand?
Should I apply for a Thai Elite visa if my child is attending school in Thailand?
An alternative is a child can have an Education visa and parents can hold a Non-immigrant Guardian Visa.
Speak to a Thai visa about what is the best option for your family or check this Thai Visa service page.
My child is under 14. Do they need a visa?
My child is attending a school in Thailand. Is a Thai Elite visa the best option as a parent?
Do I need to attach a birth certificate for my child’s application?
Retirement
Do I need to leave Thailand to transfer from a Non-O Retirement visa to an Elite visa?
Real Estate
Is it possible for someone with a Thai Elite Visa to buy real estate in Thailand?
Is a Thai Elite visa free if I purchase property in Thailand?
You will apply for the visa directly with the developer.
Can I apply for Thai Elite if purchasing property?
The developer will arrange your Elite visa directly.
Can I purchase multiple properties to the value of 10 million baht?
How do I purchase a condominium in Thailand?
Flights
Do I have to have a return flight booked for when applying?
Do I have to land in Bangkok with a Thai Elite visa?
If you organize your visa at your local Thai Embassy in your country, you can enter Thailand through any international airport.
Medical Insurance
Do I need to have Medical Insurance for Thai Elite?
Where can I find medical insurance for entering Thailand?
Can I use medical insurance from my country?
Tax
If I transfer money from overseas to a Thai bank account, will I need to pay tax?
Do I qualify as a resident of Thailand for tax purposes with a Thai Elite visa?
Do I have to pay income tax in Thailand if I earn income from overseas?
Visa Overstay Issues
What is an "overstay" in Thailand?
When complying with immigration procedures at the airport departure in Thailand:
- Overstay less than 90 Days
- 500 Thai baht/day overstay fine (maximum 20,000 Thai baht)
- Overstay more than 90 Days
- 1 year ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
- Overstay more than 1 Year
- 3 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
- Overstay more than 3 Years
- 5 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 5 Years
- 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine.
How do I fix an overstay in Thailand?
- The time of overstay
- The fine charged
- Confirmation of fine payment including the date paid
Can I apply if I have had an "overstay" in Thailand in the past?
How do I prove my overstay is resolved so I can apply for Thai Elite?
- The time of overstay
- The fine charged
- Confirmation of fine payment including the date paid
You may need to provide a scanned copy of this passport page. You also need to make sure you have left Thailand after the overstay fine has been paid.
Privilege Points System
How does the Privilege Points system benefits members?
- Granting more freedom of choice to members when choosing which benefits to pick and make use of.
- The amount of points required for a certain privilege are very low and often members can find themselves only spending between 1 to 3 points per benefit.
- Every year the points reset back to default for each membership package. This means if you didn’t get the benefit you wanted one year, you can redeem your points for it the subsequent year.
How Many Points are required for each benefit?
- 1 point: used to purchase privileges such as airport transfers, complimentary dining nights, spa packages, access to hotel fitness centres, buy 1 get 1 free movie tickets.
- 2 points: used to acquire privileges such as airport transfers via luxury vehicles, dental checkups, health checks, golfing discounts, and tickets to sporting events.
- 3 points: domestic roundtrip flights, airport transfers for longer hauls, private tours, health checkups, and tickets to worldclass concerts.
Thai Elite Agent Contact
What are the fastest way to contact Siam Legal International?
LINE
To ensure you receive assistance for any inquiries, our Thai Elite Agent will assist you with making any necessary arrangements regarding your visit to Thailand or your Thailand Elite membership.