What is Thailand Elite
Frequently Asked Questions

There are currently seven program options for the Thailand Elite Residence Program. All options have common features such as airport immigration express services (elite personal assistance through immigration and access to executive lounges), access to a 24-hour contact center, and government concierge services.

The main differences between the program options are the term of the visa (either five, 10, or 20 years), the nature of the airport transfer services, and other complimentary benefits included in the package.

The key factors that an applicant must consider when deciding on which program option to select are:

1. Does the applicant require a visa for five, 10, or 20 years?
2. Is it a single applicant or multiple/family application?
3. What additional benefits and complimentary services are required by the applicant?

Kindly note that the visa provided to Thailand Elite Residence Program members is not considered a non-immigrant visa and therefore does not allow the successful applicant to work in Thailand, unless they also apply for the Flexible Plus program.

No, an applicant is not required to make any investment in order to apply for the program.

No, an individual is not eligible to acquire a Thailand Elite Residence Program privilege entry visa in this case. The individual is required to leave the country if they are overstaying on their current entry.

Any applicant who has more than one overstay record in the three years prior to their application will not be eligible to apply for the Thailand Elite Residence Program. Regardless of whether a welcome letter has been issued, any member with a current overstay record will not be eligible to have the privilege entry visa affixed to their passport in Thailand until they leave the country to clear their record.

The application fees range from a non-refundable payment of THB 2,140,000 (approximately USD 68,000) with a 20-year validity; THB 1,000,000 (approximately USD 32,000) with a 10-year validity; to THB 600,000 (approximately USD 19,000) with a five-year validity.

The Elite Easy Access option is designed as a trial option for new prospects. Once the successful Elite Easy Access applicant gets familiar with and enjoys the Thailand Elite Residence Program and its benefits, the applicant is allowed to upgrade to the Elite Ultimate Privilege option for a fee of THB 1.498 million (approximately USD 50,000) including VAT. The applicant is also allowed to upgrade to the Elite Superiority Extension option for a fee of THB 400,000 (approximately USD 13,000) including VAT.

Successful applicants of the Elite Ultimate Privilege program option are allowed a one-time transfer of the remaining validity of the privilege entry visa to another person. A one-time transfer fee is payable at 20% of the prevailing application fee at the time of the transfer. After transfer, the term of the visa is subject to the remaining period.

Both program options provide the applicant with a 20year privilege entry visa and airport express services through immigration. The Elite Superiority Extension program option, however, does not allow for the one-time transfer of the visa nor does it provide the complimentary services such as golf, spa treatments, and the annual health check (which is included in Elite Ultimate Privilege). The Elite Superiority Extension program option does not have an annual fee payable and there is no age restriction for applicants. The Elite Ultimate Privilege requires a THB 20,000 (approximately USD 600) annual fee (excluding VAT) and applicants must be 20 years or older.

The applicant must have and maintain to have the following qualifications:

1. Not having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any countries except for an offense committed due to negligence;
2. Not having been adjudicated bankrupt;
3. Not having been declared as a person of unsound mind, incompetence, or quasi-incompetence;
4. Not having previously overstayed more than one visa in Thailand in the three years prior to the application;
5. Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws or any related law of Thailand;
6. Holding a foreign passport; and
7. Being sui juris under Thai law

The applicant must fill in and sign an application form and a PDPA form. They must also provide the following supporting documents:

• Copy of each applicant’s passport biodata page*
• High-resolution color passport-size photo or digital photo not exceeding 2 MB
• Copy of birth certificate**
• Copy of marriage certificate**
• Copy of any Thai visas and entry stamps in the passport

* The passport must have a minimum validity of one year and three blank pages

** This is only required for family applications to prove the relationship to the main applicant

All documents must be translated into English where applicable and such translations must be notarized or certified as a true translation by the translation company (and include the company’s stamp).

The application process and required documents for the Thailand Elite Residence Program visa are not onerous. The most important documents are the application form, the PDPA form, a copy of the applicant(s) passport, and color photos of the applicant(s). For family applications, proof of the relationship between the core applicant and family members must be included in the submission. The applicant must sign as indicated on all pages of the application form.

The signatures on the application form and PDPA form must match the signature on the applicant's passport. Family members must sign on the designated space on the application form.

For the applications of minors, the parent or legal guardian will need to sign these designated spaces on their child’s behalf. The spaces must be completed with “Signature on behalf of (child’s name)”.

There are no quotas.

Please note that passport holders of the following countries are currently ineligible to acquire the Thailand Elite Residence Program privilege entry visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cameroon, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Approval in principle will be received one to three months from application submission.

The process overview is as follows:

1. Submission of completed and signed application form and relevant supporting documents (up to three months for processing and approval) -> issuance of approval and payment request
2. Make payment (bank transfer, credit card) and submit proof of payment -> issuance of a welcome letter from the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.
3. Make an appointment to get the Elite visa affixed to the passport, by providing a copy of the welcome letter to the Member Contact Center

The visa can be affixed to the successful applicant’s passport at various locations:

• Immigration bureau (for foreigners living in Thailand and available during business days only.)
• Designated airports:
  • Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airport*; service available 24/7 and available on direct international arrival flights
  • Chiang Mai airport*; service available 24/7 without EPA assistance
  • Should the successful applicant wish to have their visa affixed during transit in Thailand, they are required to ensure that there is a 4 to 5-hour gap between flights and must inform the Member Contact Center upon booking

* Five days advance notice must be given prior to getting the visa affixed at the airports. This is the most preferred and efficient option

• A local Thai embassy or consulate (restrictions may apply)

For applicants who hold two or more passports, the Elite visa will be affixed to the passport provided during the application process only.

Only applicants who hold any of the following visas are eligible to obtain the Privilege Entry visa without prior visa cancellation:

1. A tourist visa
2. A visa on arrival
3. An exempted visa

Some nationalities are required to apply for a Tourist visa before entering Thailand to be eligible to affix the Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa.

An applicant who is staying in Bangkok, Thailand and holding a Non-Immigrant visa must complete the cancellation procedure of the Non-Immigrant visa and request to get the Thailand Elite visa to be affixed in the same day (cancel in the morning period and get Thailand Elite Visa in the afternoon). For applicants staying in other provinces outside of Bangkok, the applicant may apply for a 7-day extension as a buffering period to travel to Bangkok. These applicants may therefore obtain the Thailand Elite visa within the 7-day extension period.

The Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa has a five-year validity and will be renewed according to the validity of the Thailand Elite Residence Program option chosen. The visa will be affixed to the applicant’s passport according to the remaining validity of the passport. Should an applicant’s passport expire prior to the five years, any years remaining on the visa will be transferred to the next passport. This is according to the immigration regulations of the Thailand Immigration Bureau, whereby if the validity of the successful applicant’s current passport is not at least five years, the Thailand Elite privilege entry visa will be affixed in accordance with the expiration date stated on the passport and the remaining validity will then be affixed to the new passport once obtained. The Thailand Elite Residence Program requires at least three blank pages of the current passport. For example:

1. Elite Easy Access program option with five-years’ validity
2. Passport expiry: 30 September 2020
3. Visa affix date: 1 April 2017
4. The validity of visa on the passport is from 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2020 (i.e. 3.5 years)
5. The remaining validity of 1.5 years will be affixed on the new passport at designated locations

In the event of a member having a new passport issued, the member is required to submit the personal detail page of the new passport to the Member Contact Center in order for them to update the information. A reservation will be required to affix the remaining period of the Privilege Entry visa on the new passport.

The successful applicant may simply send a request for service to the Member Contact Center at memberservice@thailandelite.com or via +66 (0) 2352 3000 (24-hour service, seven days a week) in advance, as per the Thailand Elite Residence Program service policy. The Member Contact Center will coordinate with the service providers for reservation and service confirmation, which will be returned to the successful applicant within 24 hours.

Complimentary airport transfer service is available from these locations:

• Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi)
• Phuket International Airport
• Chiang Mai International Airport
• Samui International Airport
• Don Mueang International Airport

Yes. Successful applicants that remain in Thailand for a continuous stay of more than 365 days per entry will need to pay their local immigration office a fee of THB 1,900 (approximately USD 58) to obtain a stay extension.

No, there is no requirement in any circumstances.

As required by Thailand Immigration law, all Thailand Elite Residence Program members must perform and file a 90-day report 15 days before or seven days after their 90 days' period expiry date.

For Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa holders, the member merely needs to inform TPC 14 days in advance of the intention to stay over 90 days and request TPC to submit the 90-day report on their behalf. To do so, the Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa holder must drop off their passport at TPC’s head office in Bangkok on Monday and collect it on Friday afternoon. For members staying in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chonburi, the passport may be dropped off at TPC’s contracted agents in each province.

Yes, successful applicants can buy a car in Thailand. The Privilege Entry visa includes government concierge services that also assist with the application for a driver’s license in Thailand.

If the successful applicant already holds a driving license, the process of driving license conversion could generally be done within a day with the assistance of an Elite Personal Liaison (EPL). This service must be booked in advance.

A driver’s license can be obtained from the Department of Land Transport or the closest department to the applicant’s residence if living in a different province. The necessary documents are as follows:

1. Passport with Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa. A signed copy of the first page, the visa page (Thailand Elite visa), and latest entry stamp with a departure card must also be presented.
2. Certificate of good health that has been issued by a doctor within the last month.
3. Thai residence certificate issued by the consulate or embassy of the applicant’s country of origin in Thailand or the Chaengwattana Immigration Office
4. International driver’s license or other driver’s license, both original and a signed copy (if any)

All documents must be translated into English and notarized. The applicant must present all original documents at their driving license appointment. In the case that both a car and motorbike license are required, two sets of documents need to be provided.

In the case that the applicant does not hold a current driving license, the Thai driver’s license application process includes:

• Paper test
• Physical test
• Mandatory instruction session for two hours
• Application fees of USD 50

Yes, successful applicants can open a bank account in Thailand.

Thailand Elite Residence Program members may open a bank account, subject to making a reservation, with the following banks:

• Bangkok Bank
• KBank

Bank account options available for Thailand Elite Residence Program members are:

• Thai Baht account(s)
• FCD (Foreign Currency Deposit) account(s)
• Fixed-account credit card

There are many international health insurance companies available in Thailand, such as Allianz, AXA, Generali, and AIG. A package providing worldclass private hospital care in Thailand starts from an annual premium of USD 2,000 with maximum lifetime coverage of USD 2.25 million for an insured 45-year-old. The cost of annual premiums can be as low as USD 500; however, these are not recommended because top private hospital charges are higher than the coverage by low-premium insurance.

Yes, this is possible subject to the specific school’s own rules. Thailand has many well-known international schools whose graduates include prominent people such as a former US Secretary of Treasury, Olympic athletes, actors, artists, and singers.

The Thailand Elite Residence Program Privilege Entry visa itself does not entitle applicants to work in Thailand.

Thailand Elite members who applied for the Elite Privilege Access, Elite Superiority Extension, or Elite Ultimate Privilege program options may, however, apply to obtain a work permit through the Flexible Plus program.

The Flexible Plus program provides members with the option of converting their Elite visa to a Non- Immigrant Business visa subject to a USD 1 million investment in the country. The investment of minimum USD 1 million may be made in one of the following options:

1. Real estate
2. Stock exchange
3. A limited company or a public limited company

The Non-Immigrant Business visa would allow the member to request a work permit in accordance with the applicable conditions. The member may also request for up to three of their dependents (legal spouse and children under the age of 20) to be covered by the Non- Immigrant visa.

In Thailand, as a foreigner, you are only allowed to own 49% of a company. Should the successful applicant wish to own 100% of the company, the applicant must apply for a Foreign Business License under the Foreign Business Act. In this way, the applicant can apply for business promotion by the Board of Investment Thailand, which allows 100% foreign ownership or gives incentives — such as tax exemption — on many promoted businesses. Thailand Elite Residence Program members are not allowed to work in Thailand unless they apply for the Flexible Plus program, which means that while a company can be established, the successful applicant can only hold the position of owner (investor) or shareholder.

In terms of the taxation in Thailand, individuals residing in Thailand may be subject to personal income tax in Thailand, depending on the source of income and the duration of their stay in the country.

Individuals are deemed to be tax resident in Thailand only if they stay in Thailand for an aggregate period of not less than 180 days within a calendar year. Any Thai or foreign individual who derives assessable income from sources in Thailand or for work performed in Thailand is liable to pay personal income tax, whether or not such income is paid within or outside Thailand.

In addition, a resident of Thailand is liable to personal income tax on assessable income derived from sources outside Thailand and remitted into Thailand in the same year in which such income is derived (remittance in the following year is not subject to tax).

The same logic applies to all types of income (including pensions, capital gains, interest, etc.). They are tax- free if they are earned abroad (from foreign sources/ companies/shares) and not brought into Thailand within the same tax year.

Successful applicants can get a tax resident certificate (TRC) only when they accumulatively spend more than 180 days in Thailand in any tax (calendar) year.

Applicants that receive income in Thailand (e.g. rental income from an investment property) can declare such income in that calendar year during the tax filing period (1 January—31 March of the following year) and a tax identification number (TIN) can be obtained.

In order to request a TIN, the applicant must have a residential address in Thailand.

To apply for permanent residence, the applicant must have held a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three consecutive years prior to the application submission.

A person who wishes to apply for Thai citizenship must hold Thai permanent resident status for no less than 10 consecutive years. Annual quotas for naturalization will be announced by the Ministry of Interior.