The Elite Visa in Thailand is a long-term resident visa that offers exclusive privileges and additional complimentary services. It was designed to attract more businessmen, tourists and entrepreneurs and make their stay in Thailand much easier.
There are a variety of membership tiers to choose from including Elite Easy Access for 500,000 THB ($15,000 USD), Elite Superiority Extension for 1,000,000 THB ($30,000 USD), and Elite Ultimate Privilege for 2,000,000 THB ($60,000 USD). These all come with different benefits and can range in length from 5 years to 20 years.
For most people, the biggest draw of the Thai Elite Visa is that it’s a longer term resident visa that will give you the ability to live in Thailand without having to worry about visiting immigration offices or re-applying for a new visa every year. If you travel a lot, that’s an advantage in itself, since it means that you won’t have to spend time in immigration offices for each visit.
It also comes with some nice benefits like airport limo transfers for international flights at major Thai airports, which is a big deal. And if you’re going to be in Bangkok for a while, it can save you some money not having to rent a car or take public transportation.
Another big bonus is that you don’t have to pay for any services such as a bank account or a driving license, which is a huge plus. You can even have 90-day reports done for you, though it might be worth checking the cost of these before you decide to sign up with Thailand Elite.
The program is geared to those who are not interested in getting a country citizenship in the future and would rather skip the administrative procedures associated with the renewal of their business visa. The application process requires a number of steps, such as paying the program entry fee, filling out a Personal Data Policy Form, and submitting the required documents to the immigration office.
After submitting all of the necessary documents, you should receive a welcome package with an EMN or Elite Membership Number from Thailand Elite. Once you have this, you can affix your visa at the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.
If you’re a tourist, it’s important to note that you can’t work in Thailand or apply for a work permit while on an Elite Visa, but you do have the option of hiring a driver to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel for a small fee.
You’re also not supposed to leave Thailand for more than 90 days in a row. However, it is possible to extend your stay in the country if you have an official representative who makes the report on your behalf for 1900 THB per day.
The Thailand Elite Visa is a popular choice for foreigners who want to avoid the hassles that come with a regular business visa. The program is especially popular with investors who don’t have the money to invest in real estate, but still want to be able to come and go as they please while living in Thailand. It’s also a great option for those who don’t want to be tied down to their own property in Thailand and who just want to enjoy the beautiful country for a long time.