A Thailand Privilege Gold membership is the most affordable option offered through the program which enables members to stay in Thailand without the longer-term commitments required by higher tiers. The accompanying Thai Elite Visa has a 5-year validity period allowing you to enter and leave Thailand as often as you please and few prerequisites compared to other long-term visas in Thailand. As such, this membership option is ideal for digital nomads, frequent visitors to Thailand, long-term expats, and retirees.
Even though Gold is an entry-level option compared to the higher tiers, Platinum, Diamond, and Reserve, it does not fall short when it comes to its perks and benefits that enable a myriad of luxurious lifestyles. However, it is the only tier of the Thailand Privilege memberships to not allow applicants to add family members to the program, so it is best suited to applicants without dependents.
Overview of the Thailand Privilege GOLD Membership
Here are the basic details for Gold membership:
- Validity: 5-Years
- Price: THB 900,000 / USD 24,768
- Privilege Points: 20
- Transferable: No
The Gold membership provides a Thai Elite Visa with a validity of 5 years that allows holders to enter and exit Thailand without the need for a re-entry permit, all the while enjoying quicker processing at airports. But it is important to keep in mind that it is still a tourist visa. This means that holders are unable to obtain a work permit or gain employment with a Thai company. Fortunately, this does not restrict holders when it comes to foreign income and profits from investments in Thailand.
Even with its 5-year validity, however, Thai Elite Visa holders must still commit to the 90-day reporting process, but this can be simplified by enlisting a visa agent to do this for them by using a single privilege point. The good news is that as of early 2024, the Thailand Privilege Card authority is considering extending the 90-day reporting to 1 year.
What are the Benefits of the Thailand Privilege GOLD Membership?
Despite being an entry-level membership option, there is no difference in the perks and benefits Gold membership holders will have access to, other than the amount of privilege points awarded each year.
The long list of perks, discounts, and free services available through Thailand Privilege are too numerous to mention, 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
Note that while Gold members have access to virtually the same list of benefits, members of higher tiers are able to access certain perks without having to redeem points and leverage some free perks more often.
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 Gold 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 Gold 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 will 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 Gold 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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