Can I switch from an Education Visa to a 5-Year Elite Visa without leaving Thailand?

I contacted them this week and started the process. They told me it can be done without leaving Thailand, however if you do leave you cannot return yet as this visa won’t allow reentry under the current rules. They were very keen to stress that.

The background check period is 1-2 months with no guarantee on timescales. Nor did they suggest any shortcut - it is out of the elite teams hands.

My suggestion is to contact them and fill in the forms now. As you don’t need to pay the fee until they are ready on their side. You can see where you are when the fee becomes payable.