Formal requirements
The Thai Elite visa enables a non-Thai applicant who has the financial means to purchase Thai privilege visa membership. In addition to the financial requirement, the applicant must have no history of overstays in Thailand, bankruptcies or a criminal record.
In addition to the Thai Elite visa, there is a parallel visa scheme that grants long-term stays, but the requirements are not purely financial. The Long-Term Resident (‘LTR’) visa scheme is aimed at individuals in four categories: Wealthy pensioners, remote workers (employed by a public company), highly-skilled professionals, and finally high-income individuals. It should be noted that the requirements for the LTR visa are noticeably more strenuous than the Elite visa discussed in this article including factors like educational attainment.
Financial Requirements
The application process for the Thai Elite visa is simplified, in comparison with other Thai long-term visas. The applicant’s financial means is the most important aspect to consider when applying.
The price of the membership will vary, depending on which membership scheme is desired or most appropriate. The four-tiered scheme for the Thai elite visa is outlined below:
Gold Membership
Fee: THB 900,000 (around USD 25,000)
Validity: 5-year multiple entry visa
Platinum Membership
Fee: THB 1.5 million THB (around USD 41,000)
Validity: 10-year multiple entry visa
Diamond Membership
Fee: THB 3.5 million (around USD 96,000)
Validity: 15-year multiple entry visa
Reserve Package (Invitation Only)
Fee: THB 5 million (around USD 137,000)
Validity: >20 -year multiple entry visa
Minimum stay requirements
None.
Ongoing requirements
Members are notified in advance that their membership should be renewed if they wish to continue residing in Thailand on their current membership.
Applicants should be aware that the 90-day report to immigration is still required like other visas, however the benefits of the Thai Elite visa can make this process easier through assistance from an ‘Elite Personal Liaison’.
Ability to bring in family
The membership costs for family are as follows.
Gold Membership: Family add-ons not permitted
Platinum Membership: Fee of THB 1,000,000 for additional family members
Diamond Membership: Fee of THB 1,500,000 for additional family members
Language requirements
None.
Tax implications or related issues
Residents will be considered as tax residents if they stay in Thailand for longer than 180 days, in one year. Once that occurs, they will be taxable only for that portion of their world-wide income that is brought into Thailand, and any income they generate in the Kingdom. Thailand has double tax treaties with 61 countries that may offer tax exemptions in Thailand.
Other benefits/considerations
One of the few visas that enables long-term stays in Thailand without frequent renewals.
Unlimited entries into and exists from Thailand without the need for a re-entry permit.
Fast-track immigration services in Thai airports.
VIP airport services, including arrival and departure lounges, and a limousine service.
Various other benefits can be redeemed by the new ‘Thai Privilege Points’ system.