Thailand is one of the popular tourism and relocation destinations. The Thailand Elite Visa is one of the available options if you want to move to Thailand for long-term residence. In this article, we tell you what this visa is all about and who and how can obtain it.
Content:
- What is Thailand Elite?
- Who is eligible for the Thailand Elite Visa?
- What are the advantages of the Thailand Elite Visa?
- What documents are needed to participate in the Thailand Elite programme?
What is Thailand Elite?
This is a visa programme for wealthy people, which allows you to get a long-term visa valid for 5, 10, or 20 years. With the support of the Thai authorities, the programme is run by Thailand Elite. In fact, the Thailand Elite Visa is a tourist visa, and its main goal is to attract as many tourists as possible, who either come to Thailand for a long-term stay or visit the country frequently. The Thailand Elite Visa is different from other visa types because it is issued based on a letter from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and entitles its holder to enjoy many benefits.
Who is eligible for the Thailand Elite Visa?
Visas are costly, so their target audience is high-income people. As a rule, these are tourists who have the opportunity to rent long-term or even buy property in Thailand. There are two types of visas: individual and family. The cost of individual visas starts at THB 600,000 (at around $17,400 at the current rate), and family visas at THB 800,000 (at around $23,300 at the current rate). Children or parents can be added to a family visa for an additional fee. Several packages are offered for both individual and family visas—the final cost of the visa will depend on the validity period and the set of privileges that the applicant will receive.
The Thailand Elite programme has a number of requirements for potential visa holders:
- The applicant must not have any criminal record (minor offences and crimes committed through negligence are not taken into account).
- The applicant must be over 20 years of age and have a valid international passport.
- People declared bankrupt cannot participate in the programme.
- People with mental illnesses also cannot apply for a visa.
- The visa recipient must stay in Thailand in accordance with laws.
- The applicant has no visa overstay record on their previous visits to Thailand.
What are the advantages of the Thailand Elite Visa?
The Thailand Elite Visa holder gets a wide range of advantages. First, it allows you to live in Thailand for the entire duration of the visa. Moreover, the number of entries and exits is not regulated: the visa holder has the right to travel to any country or visit their native country an unlimited number of times (with each re-entry, the visa allows you to spend a year in Thailand).
What’s more, a member of the Thailand Elite programme gets access to additional services, including:
- Escort on arrival: you will be greeted by a personal assistant.
- Expedited immigration and passport control processing.
- Access to VIP lounges at airports in Thailand.
- Free transfer from airports in Thailand at a distance of 50–80 km.
- Perks at golf clubs.
- Guaranteed bank account opening.
- An assistant to help with paperwork (for example, to obtain an international driving licence or submit a notification of residence).
- Discounts/benefits at hotels, Thai resorts, restaurants, and medical institutions where you can get a health check-up (the list depends on the number of current partners who are currently cooperating with the programme).
In addition, if you have a Thailand Elite Visa, you can try to get a resident visa. It can also be issued for 5, 10, or 20 years.
What documents are needed to participate in the Thailand Elite programme?
To enter the programme, you must apply. You will need the following documents:
- A copy of an identification page of your international passport (please note that on the date of receipt of the visa, your passport must be valid for at least another year).
- A completed application form signed by the applicant.
- A high-resolution colour photo.
If you are applying for a family visa, you will additionally need a copy of the proof of kinship between the immediate family member and the applicant (marriage certificate/birth certificate will do).
The submitted information will be verified by a Thai Immigration Office. The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to three months. If there are no problems with the documents, the application will be approved. After that, you can pay for the visa application via transfer from a local or overseas bank account. As soon as the payment is received, the applicant will get a Welcome Letter, based on which a visa is issued. You can affix your visa upon arrival in Thailand right at the airport, however, five working days before this, you will need to notify the member contact centre of your arrival.
If the applicant is already staying in Thailand, they will need to visit the main immigration office in Bangkok to collect the visa. The appointment will be arranged by Thailand Elite, and a personal assistant will help you obtain a visa.
To obtain a Thailand Elite Visa, you can directly contact Thailand Elite. However, due to the large number of applicants, it will be more efficient to get into the programme with the help of intermediaries.
It is important to note that this visa does not allow you to work in Thailand—you only get the opportunity to live in the country long-term, travel, and enjoy the privileges.