Faq

Please find a list of the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Thailand Elite. The information may not be updated in real time, so if please contact us or member services (if you're member) for the accurate answer.

HOW LONG IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

The entire application process could take up to 1 months  to 3 months. Please visit this page for more information on how to apply to Thailand Elite

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS?

  • Copy of an identification page of your passport (The passport validity must be at least 1 year on the date of the membership registration)
  • Color ID photo (high-resolution file)
  • Completed application form of the selected membership
  • Copy of proof of relationship as Immediate Family of Core Member (in case of family application)
  • Required Documents (soft copy via email is acceptable or online submission)

WHAT IS THAILAND ELITE VISA?

Thailand Elite visa is "Privilege Entry Visa"

1. Special renewable five year multiple entry visa

2. One year extendable length of stay

3. Stay in Thailand longer without the usual need to leave the country by applying to a 1 year extension


Fore more information about Thailand Elite Visa



WHY DOES THAILAND ELITE REQUIRE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT?

The copy of the identification page of your passport will be sent to the Immigration office for a due diligence check. This is to insure that you are not on the blacklist, watching-list or anything that would prevent you to obtain the Visa.

CAN i APPLY IF I HAVE AN HISTORY OF EDUCATION (ED) VISA IN THAILAND?

Yes, you can apply to Thailand Elite if you have an history of Education Visa (Non-ED) but your application will be more subject to rejection. To avoid rejection please provide the following documents:

School Establishment License from Ministry of Education (สช.2) or from
The Office of Basic Educational Commission (OBEC) or from
The Office of Private Educational Commission (OPEC)
☐ School Registration (ร.2)
☐ Student Certification from school
☐ Academic Record, grade reports and attendance record
☐ Class Activities Photos (if applicable)

and fill the Education Visa Holder Acknowledgement Form when you'll submit your applicaiton

WHICH CITIZENSHIP COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE?

Most of the European, American, Asian, Oceania citizen's countries are eligible for being members of Thailand Elite. The citizens of sanctioned countries by UN may not be eligible, along with some specific countries. If you have any doubt feel free to contact us.

CAN I APPLY TO THAILAND ELITE WITH MY FAMILY?

You can apply with your immediate family members (parents/children/spouse) only from the 10 and 15 years membership.

To add an family member on:

  • Platinum 10 Years membership it will cost an additionnal 1 000 000THB per family member.
  • Diamond 15 years membership, it will cost an addtionnal 1 500 000 THB


It's note possible to add family member on GOLD 5 year membership, but you can apply individually. it will cost 900 000THB per member.




CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP REMOTELY?
You can apply for Thailand Elite membership remotely, all the process can be done via online application portal or by email. Fore more information on how to apply to Thailand Elite click here

ATTENTION: If you have/had overstay record, Volunteer Visa, or Medical treatement visa read here

- Please check if the entry stamp permission on your passport, If you have an outstanding overstayed record on your current stay or had more than 2 overstays for the last 3 years, you may not be able obtain a Thailand Elite visa.        
- Please check if you have a history or currently hold a Non-Immigrant type O (Volunteer), you will not be able to obtain a Thailand Elite visa under any circumstances.         
- Please check if you hold a Non-Immigrant MT (Medical Treatment) without the patient reports from the hospital, the medical certificate.      
Once again, if you fall under the condition disclose at the moment you would like to apply or contact us, even approved member who fall under those conditions may have their Thailand Elite Visa rejected by immigration.     

DO CHILDREN NEED A VALID THAI VISA TO LIVE IN THAILAND?

Yes, all foreigners of any age need to hold valid Thai visa related to the purpose of their stay. If your children are goinf to school, they may obtain an Education visa from their school.

If you would like to add your children to your Thailand Elite membership, you can do it from Platinum 10 years, or Diamond 15 years.


What's happen if my kids are not holding a valid Thai visa?

If they are less than 14 years old, they will have an overstay stamp on their passport but without any other consequences if they travel with their parents who are holding a valid Thai Visa.

IS A THAILAND ELITE MEMBER REQUIRED TO DO 90-DAY REPORT?

According to Immigration Bureau of Thailand, Thailand Elite Members are still required to do a 90-Day Report if continuously staying in the country without leaving for over 90 days. The 90 days report can be done online, by mail or by visiting immigration office. A free service is available for member in Bangkok and selected provinces.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I ONLY HAVE 3 YEARS LEFT ON MY PASSPORT?

  • According to Immigration Bureau of Thailand, if the length of your current passport is not up to five-year period, the Privilege Entry Visa will be affixed in accordance with the expiration date stated on the passport. The remaining validity will be affixed on your new passport.
  • Please be informed that Thailand Elite requires at least three blank visa pages of your current passport and term of the Visa shall be granted in accordance with the validity of Membership.

WHY DO I GET ELITE VISA VALIDATED LESS THAN 5 YEARS?

That is because your passport's validity is less than 5 years. Your elite visa's validity will be the same period as the remaining of your passport's validity. For example, If your passport remains only 2 years 3 months until its expiry date, your new elite visa will not be for 5 years but it will be 2 years 3 months as same as your passport's.

Though, if you get your new Elite Visa's validity less than 5 years due to the expiration of your passport, we recommend you to contact our Member Contact Center for booking EPL Service to help you renew the Elite Visa.

HOW TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO THAILAND ELITE?

At the time of the application, when your documents had been reviewed but before to be sent to immigration background chekc , you will have to pay 50 000THB application fee.
The application fee is deductible if you are approved and will be deducted from the final invoice.
If your application is rejected, you will be refunded minus 3 000THB administrative fees, so 47 000THB.

Once approved, you will receive the approval letter along with your invoice. You will have 30 days to make the payment.

The membership fees depend of the cost of the membership you selected.

GOLD MEMBERSHIP 5 YEARS = 900 000THB
PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP 10 YEARS= 1 500 000THB  and 1 000 000THB per immediate family member
DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP 15 YEARS =  2 500 000THB for core member and 1 500 000THB per immediate family member

For more information about the membership: https://thailand-elite.com/membership/

IS IT SAFE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO THAILAND ELITE?

The payment of the membership is requested only once the application has been approved by the immigration after you have submitted your application. You will receive a confirmation email from Thailand Elite along with a letter and the information to process the payment. The payment has to be done to Thailand Privilege Card., Ltd., the state owned company who operates Thailand Elite programs. There are several accepted methods of payment including Bank Transfer, Credit card, Alipay...

Which payment methods are available?

For the application fee, you can only pay by Bank transfer.

For the membership fes upon approval, there are several accepted methods of payment including:
  •  Bank Transfer (local and international (SWIFT)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Union Pay)
  • Alipay
  • Prompay (Thai QR Code)
  • Cash remittance as Krungthai Branch nationwide


CAN I STAY IN THAILAND MORE THAN 1 YEAR WITHOUT LEAVING THAILAND?
Once your Thailand Elite visa is affixed on your passport, you will have an entry stamp with states the date you can stay in Thailand, by default it's 1 year. Every time you leave Thailand and enter you will have another year until your elite visa expire. If you don't travel outside Thailand within 1 year period, you must apply for an extension of stay at your nearest immigration office before the date stated in entry stamp. Failure to do so, can result in overstay and your visa may be canceled! You can coordinate with the Member Services.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP, IF I'M HOLDING NON-IMMIGRANT (B) VISA WITH WORK PERMIT?

Elite Visa is categorized under Tourist Visa, which does not allow the holder to legally apply for a work permit to work in Thailand. The Non-Immigrant Visa must be cancelled before Privilege Entry Visa is validated.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP, IF I'M HOLDING A TOURIST VISA?

Yes, you can apply to Thailand Elite membership with a Tourist Visa, Visa on arrival and Visa exemption (TR). If you are still in Thailand at the time your application had been completed, your current tourist visa (TR) had not expired, and you have received your Thailand Elite membership ID; you can schedule a visa affix at the immigration Chaeng Wattana via the Member Contact Center (MCC) at least 7 working days in advance.

CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP, IF I'M HOLDING NON-O (marriage) or non oa (retirement) VISA?

Yes, you can apply to Thailand Elite membership with a valid  Non-O (marriage) or Non-OA (retirement) visa. If your visa had had not expired, and you have received your Thailand Elite membership ID; you can schedule a visa affix at the immigration Chaeng Wattana via the Member Contact Center (MCC) but before to get your Thailand Elite Visa (PE) affixed you will need to cancel your non-immigrant visa. We will send you detailed steps and letter needed for this purpose.

HOW AND WHERE TO GET THAILAND ELITE VISA AFFIXED ONCE I WILL BE THAILAND ELITE MEMBER?

Once, you have received your approval letter and made the membership fees payment, you will receive a welcome letter with your Thailand Elite member ID.


• While staying in Thailand: you can request to obtain an Thailand Privilege Visa at The Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office in Bangkok during regular business days and hours.
Remark: the appointment date is subject to the availability of Elite Personal Liaison (EPL)
• Upon arrival from a direct international flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport (24 hours availability with 5 working days advance booking, kindly note that for certain nationalities a tourist visa may be required.


• Upon arrival from a direct international flight to Phuket Airport (24 hours availability with 5 working days advance booking, kindly note that for certain nationalities, a tourist visa may be required.

• Upon arrival from a direct international flight to Chiang Mai Airport (24 hours availability with 5 working days advance booking, kindly note that for certain nationalities, a tourist visa may be required. (Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) service is not available)

IF I'M OVERSTAYING IN THAILAND, CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP SO I DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY?

You are ineligible to acquire Thailand Elite Membership and you are required to leave the country if you are overstaying on your current entry. Please see the following link for more information - http://overstay.immigration.go.th/advice.html


The application to Thailand Elite does not grant a Visa extension. If you stay in Thailand, you must at all times hold a valid visa. A Thailand Elite visa (PE) is granted only to Thailand Elite members who have been approved by immigration, fully paid the membership fees, and received their membership ID.

WHAT IS THAILAND PRIVILEGE CARD?

Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. is the state company who is operating the Thailand Elite membership programs. Thailand Elite is the common name used since 20 years. So Thailand Privilege refers to Thailand Elite and it's the same programs.

CAN A THAILAND ELITE MEMBER OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT WITH ONLINE BANKING?

Thailand Elite Members can open a bank account in Thailand. 

Members can open Thai baht savings account and multi-currencies accounts. Criteria are defined by the bank.

Thailand Elite has setup partnership with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn bank for fast forward bank opening; but all banks in Thailand may open you an account if you have the Elite visa and the required documents from the bank (utilities bills, ...).

HOW TO OPEN BANK ACCOUNT?

All types of Thailand Elite Members are eligible to open a bank account with
Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank 


To open an account with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank as a Thailand Elite Visa Holder, members are required to prepare the documents as follows. 

1. Valid passport (same passport as registered with Thailand Elite)
2. Valid Thailand Elite's Privilege Entry Visa (PE) or Special Entry Visa (SE)
3. Thailand Elite Membership Card
4. Thai mobile phone number
5. Details of your residence in Thailand  

Members who have documents as listed above can walk in at any branch of Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank to open the bank account.  

 

***However, for members who have not received Thailand Elite Visa and Thailand Elite Membership card, walk-ins at the bank are not available.  

For members without Thailand Elite Visa and membership card, they are required to make a reservation for Bank account opening through memberservice@thailandelite.com only.  

***Reservation must be made no less than 5 working days in advance

Please note that Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. only offers Bank Account Opening service. Any other services after the bank account are activated will be handled directly by the Bank. 

HOW TO APPLY THAI DRIVING LICENSE WITH THAILAND ELITE?

Thailand Elite provides driving license with EPL service at Department of Land & Transportation Chatuchak, a reservation is made with Customer Contact Center.


How long will it take to get Thai driving license?

- If member have home country driving license, the process is completed within one day.

- If member do not have home country driving license, the member is required to attend and complete training class at Department of Land & Transporation Chatuchak.  

The following are the list of required documents :

• Valid visa  

• Valid passport (at least 6 months) with the signed copies of first page, visa page, and the page with last entry stamp  

• A certified letter of address in Thailand from the applicant’s embassy, or Work Permit or House registration book with an applicant’s own name (Yellow book)  

**Its validity should not be more than 90 days old for a certified letter of address from the applicant’s embassy.

• A doctor’s certificate in Thai version from clinics or hospitals in Thailand stating that the applicant has physical and mental health free from any of the following diseases:  

1.)   LEPROSY,  

2.)   TUBERCULOSIS,  

3.)   DRUG ADDICATION,  

4.)   ALCOHOLISM and  

5.)   ELEPHANTIASIS  

**Its validity should not be more than 30 days old.

• Valid regular driver license from the applicant’s home country and the signed copies. *If it is not in English, it has to be translated to English and certified by Embassy issuing it.* (Note: A physical check, 2-hour training, drive test, and theory test will be required if one has not possessed a valid driver license from home country)  

**Translated to English doc validity should not be more than 90 days old for a certified letter of home country driving license by embassy.

• Card issuing fees: 305 THB (Car driving license), 205 THB (Motorbike driving license)

• An applicant must also prepare all original docs for applying Thai driving license.

If member would like to apply both types of driving license, please prepare two sets of documents.  

HOW TO REQUEST TRANSFER SERVICE?

Member advise the service date, flight details and drop off or pick up address by call or email to Customer Contact Center.


Does member need to book in advance?

The service booking should be made at least 5 hours before the service time.


There will be someone from Thailand Elite assist member at the airport?

Elite Personal Assistance will escort member from the pier upon arrival and airline check in counter upon departure until finish fast track immigration formality process.


Is there a service at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airport?

The service is now available at Suvarnabhumi Airport only.


Can member book for both domestic and international flight?

The service is entitled for only international flight.

HOW TO REQUEST ELITE PERSONAL ASSISTANT (EPA)?

Member can request EPA service upon arrival, departure and connecting flight via Customer Contact Center or email by providing us flight details including date, time and flight number.

What is Elite Personal Assistant (EPA)?
EPA is Thailand Elite staff who will assist you at the airport for your most convenience including fast track immigration formality, luggage claim or etc.

How can member know who is the EPA staff?
Our EPA staff wear golden uniform with signboard of member's name, apart from EPA staff in Chiangmai International Airport who is in other uniform. Service provide from 06.00 -24.00 hrs. only.

How many hours in advance for reservation to be made?
At least 5 hours in advance

Which Airports do Elite provide EPA Service?
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Phuket International Airport and Chiangmai International Airport

WHAT IS 90 DAYS REPORT AND HOW TO SUBMIT 90 DAYS REPORT WITH THAILAND ELITE?

Member has to do 90 Days report of address every 3 months even if the member has a permanent address. The 90 Days report is the process of reporting 90 Days Notification of the Address in Thailand (in case of staying longer than 90 days).

Only new members who have applied from 2013 onwards can do the 90 day report via a drop off of their passport, and complete the TM 47 form at our office or local representative offices below :

1. Head Office Location, Bangkok
Thailand Privilege Card Co., LTD
Address: 110/2 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok
Reception, Tel: 02-3534000
Call Canter, Tel: 02-3523000

2. Representative Office in Pattaya, Chonburi
N.A. Services (Thailand) CO.,LTD.
Address: 202/132 Moo 9 Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150
Tel: 038-411-448, Fax: 038-428-579
Website: N/A
Operation Hours: Mon - Fri 09.00 - 17.00 hrs.
Main Contact Person
Khun Kanlaya Jaroenprom (Khun Aom)
Tel: 038-411-448
Fax: 038-428-579
Mobile 094-456-2495
Email: aom.nok@hotmail.com

3. Representative Office in Phuket
Phuket Visa Law Office
Address: 12/37 Moo 1 Chaofa East Road, Thambon Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130
Tel: 076-263-475, Fax: 076-374-563
Website: www.phuketvisa.com
Operation Hours: Mon - Fri 10.00 - 18.00 hrs.
Close: Sat - Sun and Public Holiday
Main Contact Person: Khun Nungrutai Wichaidit (Khun Beer)
Tel: 076-263-475
Fax: 076-374-563
Mobile: 093-671-0510
Email: nungrutai.wichaidit@gmail.com

4. Representative Office in Chiangmai
Star Visa Service Limited Partnership Company
Address: 419 Room 3 Wichayanon Rd., Muang, Chiangmai, 50300
Tel: 053-232-412, Fax: 053-233-342
Website: www.i-starvisa.com
Operation Hours: Mon - Fri 08.30 - 17.30 hrs. Sat 08.30 - 15.30 hrs.
(Except Sunday)
Main Contact Person:
Khun Phakhamon Panchina - Manager
Tel: 053-232-412
Fax: 053-233-342
Mobile: 081-595-1343
Email: starvisas@gmail.com

The process of dropping of passport for 90-Day report are as follow:
1. Member can drop a passport with a completed TM47 form with signature at our head office on Sathorn road from 09.00 - 16.30 every Tuesday.
2. Our EPL will take the passport with TM47 form to the immigration office on Wednesday.
3. The passport can be collected at our office on any weekday from 09.00-16.30.

*Please note that the member can submit passport for 90-Day report within the period of 15 days before expiration date and 7 days after expiration date.

WHAT IS ELITE PERSONAL LIAISON (EPL) AND HOW TO REQUEST EPL?

Make a reservation at least 5 to 7 working days* in advance by telephone or email (refer to your welcome letter email)

Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) service is a Thailand Elite staff who assist and expedite processes concerning government department (available only in Bangkok), such as:
Stay extension
Elite Visa affix at Immigration Head Office Chaengwattana
Transfer Elite Visa from old passport to new passport at Immigration Head Office Chaengwattana
Apply for Thai Driver License at at Department of Land transportation (Chatujak) in Bangkok
Open Bank Account at Bangkok Bank Head Office Sathorn
With our assistant, the above processes shall take approximately one and half hours if all the requirements are well prepared.
Please well note that our EPL service is a first time free of charge as a complimentary to all members of Thailand Elite, then second time onwards there will be a service charged of 2,000 THB (maximum 3 hours) per usage and this service is exclude transportation.


IF MEMBER HOLDS ELITE VISA, CAN MEMBER WORK IN THAILAND?

It's not possible to work for Thai registered company and hold a work permit with a Thailand Elite visa.

can apply for Non-B visa and work permit to work in Thailand and Elite visa will continue until its expiry date. Therefore, once member get Non-B visa then they have to use their Non-B visa only as per Thai law which allow to hold only one visa. Kindly be noted that visa & 90 day report is totally separate type. Member need to check for their validity both 90 day report visa.

HOW TO GET A CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE?

A foreigner can request a certificate of residence in Thailand from either his/her home embassy in Thailand or Immigration Bureau. However, a foreigner must have done a 90 days report since his/her latest entry before request this document from the Immigration. If not, the Immigration will reject to issued this document. We therefore kindly suggest you to request this document from your embassy in Thailand if possible.

WHEN DO I HAVE TO DO STAY EXTENSION REPORT?

Special Entry Visa Holder (SE - Green visa sticker) : Stay extension report must be done every 90 day (as well as 90 day report).

Privilege Entry Visa Holder (Gold visa sticker) : Stay extension report must be done once a year, however, it would still require the member to complete a 90 day report in the case if the member stays in Thailand over 90 days consecutively.

The immigration will start count day 1 from the entry stamp in your passport. You can do stay extension maximum 30 days in advance. The penalty charge for overstay is THB500 per day and maximum of THB20,000.

Required documents :
- Passport which contain Elite Visa.
- TM.6
- TM.7
- 2 inches photo
- Official letter from Thailand Elite

Make a reservagtion on this matter at least 3 working days in advance by telephone herewith: 023523000 or email: memberservice@thailandelite.com

Overstay penalty :

These rules apply to the Alien giving himself up at immigration and are as follows :
  • Overstay more than 90 Days - 1 year ban from Thailand
  • Overstay more than 1 Year - 3 year ban from Thailand
  • Overstay more than 3 Years - 5 year ban from Thailand
  • Overstay more than 5 Years - 10 year ban from Thailand

Arrested & Found To Be On Overstay- Apprehended
  • Overstay less tha 1 Year - 5 year ban from Thailand
  • Overstay more than 1 Year - 10 year ban from Thailand

WHAT IS TM 30 ALL ABOUT?
The TM.30 ( Notification from House-Master, Owner or the Possessor of the Residence where alien has stayed ) and its underlying laws are about the obligation of a landlord (or house master, possessor, manager) to report the stay of a foreigner (non-Thai national) in his/her property. All foreigners staying in Thailand and their hosts should be very well aware of this.

The laws with regard to the TM.30 and the obligation to report a foreigner's stay have been in place for some time (since 1979), but the government has started to enforce it more strictly lately, and changed some of the procedures with regards to your 90-days reporting and extension of visa.

WHO SHOULD ACT AND OBTAIN TM30?
Officially and practically, the responsibility to report the stay of a foreigner rests with the host: the landlord of a property, the hotel or the service apartment. Untimely reporting of a foreigner can be penalized with THB 1,600 per person (normally the penalty does not exceed that amount, even if your landlord reports months too late).

However, if you are the guest or tenant, you can't ignore TM30 either: many foreigners report that they need it when going to the Immigration office for a service, such as the 90-day reporting and sometimes even for visa extensions. It still depends on the officer in charge that you're facing, but at such moment that you may find out that your landlord did not report your stay and you will have to explain where you stayed all that time. There is also a risk that you as a tenant (or guest) may be fined instead of the landlord.

In some cases, Immigration enforces strictly and demands the return slip of the TM.30 form, in other cases they allow foreigners just to tell them their address and when it's in the system it's okay.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE tm30 REGULATION?
Basically, with the TM30 form, the government aims to know exactly where each foreigner is staying all the time. Every host, no matter Thai or foreigner, has the obligation to report the stay of a foreigner within 24 hours

This may seem a scary idea to those appreciating their privacy, cumbersome to those providing accommodation, and perhaps even crazy in the eyes of frequent travelers, but we've got to live with it because the law is in place and Immigration is enforcing it more and more. The TM30 measures are one of many of the current government that are all aimed at better monitoring and controlling what happens in this country. The government wants to make it difficult for foreigners to stay under the radar especially who Immigration sees as bad guys, foreigners who overstay and terrorists.

HOW TO REPORT tm30?
As a foreigner staying in Thailand, you should prepare:
(a) a copy of your passport (photo page)
(b) a copy of the visa page in your passport and
(c) a copy of the departure card (or write down the number on the copy of your passport)

The landlord should prepare:
(a) a copy of the title deed of the property
(b) a copy of the rental contract

In case the landlord has outsources this matter to a property manager, a letter is needed giving authority to this property manager to report TM30 on behalf of landlord with stamps from the tax office on this letter.

Then, your landlord or property manager should report in either of these ways:
Most common and most official is to go to the Immigration Office and fill out the TM030 form there.
(You have to go to the nearest Immigration Office and if there isn't one, you have to report to the Police Office.)
In theory, the landlord can also register online on https://extranet.immigration.go.th/, but this online system is often not accessible (nor are safety standards of the site 100% update). Recently, Immigration closed this possibility to report, because people did not include the right attachments.

What do the house-master/owner or possessor of the residence has to do if the alien granted temporary stay in Thailand has stayed in his/her house/residence?
He/She (The owner of the residence) must notify (by the Form TM.30) to the competent official of the Immigration Office located in the same area of that house/residence within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the alien.