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?
Elite Easy Access
- Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
- It costs 600,000 Thai baht with no annual fee
- You have an option to upgrade to Elite Superiority Extension or Elite Ultimate Privilege
- No age restriction; members can be any age
Elite Family Excursion (minimum 2 persons)
- Thai Elite Visa validity of 5 years
- It costs 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee
- For an additional family member, there is a fee of 300,000 Thai baht
Elite Family Alternative
- Membership validity of 10 years
- The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years
- It costs 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee
- For an additional family member, there is a fee of 700,000 Thai baht
Elite Privilege Access
- Membership validity of 10 years
- The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years
- It costs 1,000,000 THB with no annual fee
- For an additional family member, there is a fee of 800,000 Thai baht
- No age restriction; members can be of any age
Elite Superiority Extension
- Membership validity of 20 years
- It costs 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee
- The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable every 5 years
Elite Ultimate Privilege
- Membership validity of 20 years
- It costs 2.14 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 21,400 Thai baht
- The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and is renewable every 5 years
- Members must be over 20 years old
Elite Family Premium
- Applicable only to family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members
- Membership fee of 1 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 10,000 Thai baht
- 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
Thai Elite Flexible Plus
- Transfer for existing Thai Elite member with visa over 1 million baht
- Allows exchange of privilege entry visa for a non-immigrant visa category B and request a work permit.
- Investment in Thailand in three segments: real estate, a limited company or public limited company, or a stock exchange purchase.
- No age restriction; members can be any age
How much does the Thailand Elite visa cost?
Elite Easy Access – 5 years
- 600,000 Thai baht with no annual fee / 1 person
Elite Family Excursion – 5 years
- 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee / 2 people
- 300,000 Thai baht / additional family member
Elite Family Alternative – 10 years
- 800,000 Thai baht with no annual fee / 1 person
- 700,000 Thai baht / additional family member
Elite Privilege Access – 10 years
- 1,000,000 THB with no annual fee / 1 person
- 800,000 Thai baht / additional family member
Elite Superiority Extension – 20 years
- 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee / 1 person
Note: Can be upgraded from a Thai Elite Easy Access visa
Elite Ultimate Privilege
- Membership validity of 20 years
- 2.14 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 21,400 Thai baht
Note: Can be upgraded from a Thai Elite Easy Access visa
Elite Family Premium
- Applicable only to family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members
- 1 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 10,000 Thai baht
Note: Membership and Thai Elite Visa validity will be based on the membership and visa validity of the Elite Ultimate Privilege family member.
What Thai Elite visas can be extended?
Other visas under the program will expire at the end of their term and will require a new application.
Can I extend the Thai Elite Access to 10 years or 15 years?
When can I upgrade my 5-year visa to a 20-year visa?
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 Flexible Plus
What is Thai Elite Flexible Plus?
The Flexible Plus allows existing Thai Elite members with a visa worth over 1 million baht to exchange their current visa for a non-immigrant visa category B (and work permit) while retaining the benefits of Thai Elite Privilege.
What are the requirements for transferring to Flexible Plus?
- Currently holds a Thai Elite visa of over 1 million baht.
- Must make an investment in Thailand of US$1 million within a year of approval in any of three investment segments: real estate, a limited company or public limited company, or a stock exchange purchase.
Will my family members be eligible to change visas?
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 visa, 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 should be reimbursed directly by Thailand Elite Privilege.
Note: Before enlisting the service of a registered agent, ask if they charge any additional fees.
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?
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?
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?
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?
- Elite Access / Family Excursion – 1 x 5 years
- Family Alternative / Privilege Access – 2 x 5 years
- Superiority Extension / Ultimate Privilege – 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?
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 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?
You will pay a fine of 500 baht per day past the exit date and potentially be banned from entering Thailand for a period of time.
If your overstay period is 90 days to 1 year, you could be banned for up to 5 years.
If your overstay period is greater than 1 year, you could be banned for up to 10 years.
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.
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.