How does the Thai Elite Visa approval process work and what are its benefits compared to other visa types?

@Edward *******

got it. Not desirable for sure and risky as well. This is my community here. Thanks all for the input.

Not at the moment apparently theyre negotiating the terms with the govt.

@Brad ******

no guarantees

thanks for your help.

yeah me too mate :-)

ok great I thought they were 'brokers' awesome thanks :-)

@Rich *******

Aren't you the one.

@Rich *******

well be glad you’re there ,, your one of the lucky ones , some of us are unfortunately stuck in limbo away from our loved ones

Hi, I worked in Elite member service in 2013, and contributed my idea in mid 2016 for the launch of new programs.

@Edison ********

make google your friend

@Edison ********

5 10 or 20 years. 500k, 1m for 10, 1m for 20 and 2m for 20 with extra perks. Check website it’s linked above

Yep same response I got. Sigh.

Thank you for some reality-testing in a time when the government basks in confusion, incompetence and misinformation.

I was approved for the visa in May. You do not have to pay until you're ready to. Depends on what you need I guess, I am going for the 20 year visa because that works for me and Im too young for retirement visa.

@Edward *******

he’s already in Thailand this is a way for him to stay past September 26

@Edward *******

nonetheless it's a step. Not a lot of visas of any kind being issued at the moment

Many countries have these kinds of visas but yeah go mad and bash Thailand.

@Jeremy ********

can report on line 90 days!

@Steve ******

no

The need for the OP to announce something that is a personal matter ???

@Narelle ***********

the approval process was so elite... I had to write one sentence explaining why I love thighland

They did announce that elite visa holders COULD now apply to get into the country (by meeting the requirements) BUT at this time there is no directive that told the thai embassies this so they're still turning people away who have elite visas :(

@Mark ******

no still have to quarantine.

hang on

lemme check

So you're asking about some indeterminate time in the future IF/WHEN the quarantine restrictions are relaxed and what the entry requirements will be for Elite visa holders?

Sheesh who is gonna know the answer to that question Mark?

sean campbell-I saw one article regarding elite visa. Even though you are allowed by having that visa, you need approval letter from embassy before taking the flight to Thailand

@Tod ********

yes that’s correct

@Tod ********

yes that’s my understanding too.

@Jim *********

Who will support all the single mothers? I'd estimate 10% of uni students' tuition is paid for by expats. Not good policy change IMO.

@J**

virtually every nation on earth has some version of it. And many are strongly recruiting retirees now. Just bring your $, don’t worry about tax. Great all around

Thai embassy working in Ankara capital city.

@Nandano *******

consider that you maybe asked for a residence permit if not naturalized in the country you apply from.

I think October is likely. Very much doubt they will allow home quarantine though.

@Adam ******

me too

A Non-O visa can be extended annually in Thailand just like the Non-OA. The big advantage of the Non-O is that there is no insurance requirement. I've had only one Thai visa in my life, but have lived in Thailand legally since 2012. I do the 800,000 baht in the bank method to qualify for my retirement extension but if one wanted to they could do the 60,000/month income method.

My understanding about the Elite Visa is that you have to pay 1,900/baht year for an annual extension of stay if you do not leave the country (leaving -- and returning to -- the country in the time of covid is problematic). Also, unless you live in Bangkok I think you have to do your own 90-day reports.

I do my 90-day reports online. Takes about 5 minutes. I can't imagine people making huge financial decisions based on doing 90-day reports. If online isn't working I can do it by mail or in Phuket at the drive-in window at immigration. Worst case, even if you never do a 90-day report and you are caught the fine is usually 2,000 baht (5,000 baht if they think you are doing it on purpose); there is no consequence to your continued ability to get annual extensions, you won't be on overstay. Do it when you're supposed to (about 3 times a year, typically they do a 90-day report when I apply for my annual extension of stay) and you don't have to pay anything.

If you qualify for a retirement extension by being at least 50 years old, then my cost for an annual extension of stay for the purpose of retirement is 1,900 baht. Plus 200 baht I pay to my Thai bank for documentation to support my application. If I want to leave Thailand I can withdraw my 800,000 baht and take it with me. The 500,000 baht paid to Thai Elite is gone.

Helpful, thanks again. I’d need to purchase Thai Health Insurance from my home country prior to applying for the visa?

@David ***

-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-(Retired--Long.html

The OA visa does sound like a logical choice if indeed I wouldn’t need to leave every 90 days. It almost seems too easy which I know is not what Thai immigration is known for.

@David ***

. You don't necessarily need 800,000 kept in a Thai bank. In normal times you can get an OA visa in your home country, which is good for two years. If you return home every two years (say for a holiday), you buy a new visa which is good for another two years. You need never have one baht in a Thai bank account. You need health insurance which you can get for around $300 a year. The visa will cost you $200 every two years. 90 day reporting you can do online. Pre-covid the OA was the best. Remember if you do have 800,000 in a Thai bank account, although it is mainly inaccessible it is still yours, unlike the elite visa, the money is gone. You'll never see it again.

Wasn’t aware of that. I’m guessing maybe in the last quarter around October hopefully

@Da***

Easier. Better is a relative term. If you have the money to spend and are planning on being here for 5 years, go for it.

Congratulations 🎊, enjoy your time in Thailand 🇹🇭

The 1m one seems like a better deal

@Daniel ***********

did you have to pay VAT in addition to 500k?

@Daniel ***********

wow, thank you so much.

@Connie *******

its 5 years / 500k thb for the start version.