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How long does it take to process a 5-year bronze elite visa in Thailand?
Bronze Elite VisaThai Visa RulesVisa Processing TimeRetirement VisaHealth Insurance in ThailandExpat Life in ThailandImmigration AssistanceLong-Term Residency Visa
Apr 16, 2026
15 days ago
Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHow long does it take for a 5 year bronze elite visa turn around? Looking at doing that instead of retirement visa although I qualify. The agency I used sucked and got my name and passport numbers wrong on documents. I need an easy route. I don’t care about the money. I’m sick, I have cancer complications hence the reason for using an agency. I’m tired. I just need something easy. The banks have been giving me the run around and frankly I’m too ing tired, literally and physically to deal with it them anymore. Any jerk comments will be deleted. Just need some advice, kindness, and grace for once. Just once.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The processing time for a 5-year Bronze Elite visa typically takes between 1.5 to 2 months, although it can sometimes extend up to 3 months depending on various factors. While many recommend handling the application directly through the official Thai Elite website, utilizing a local agency can offer additional support, though experiences may vary based on prior interactions. There's also a suggestion to consider alternative visa options like the Long-Term Residence (LTR) visa or a Non-O retirement visa, particularly if you have specific needs relating to health insurance and ease of processing.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Pete *******
Any visa agent in Pattaya will get you a hassle free retirement visa without needing to do anything other than hand over your passport and their processing fee.
Nick *********
Use these guys . Excellent people
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Petr *********************
Why would you pay $19,000 to Thai government? Get DTV instead
Gerar ********
A DTV is a tourist visa and you are limited what you can do, no bank account for example, so not recommended for a retired person.
Roger **********
The Elite company will help you open a USD account. I had an Elite Visa once. As for vehicle ownership, just try to register it in your name with a Tourist visa.
Christian ********
Roger Blaylock there is no problem to register a car with the elite visa. also get a 5 year licence. you even get a five year license with the one year extention. the agency go with you to a bank to open account.
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Christian ********
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Roger **********
Gerar Teuben The Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa. You cannot get a 5 year Drivers License. You cannot easily open a Thai Bank account. You cannot legally own a vehicle. Get a Non Immigrant or LTR visa instead. Anyone over 50 yo that gets an Elite Visa instead of a Non-Immigrant visa is not doing their homework.
Brandon ************
@Roger *********
what are you talking about? The Thai Elite company will help you open a bank account. There's zero restrictions on owning a vehicle based on your visa type.Reply to
Brandon ************
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Petr *********************
Gerar Teuben for retirement, get just retirement visa, but what you want to do in Thailand? You will be always a visitor, never permanent resident, Cambodia or Philippines will issue permanent residency
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Petr *********************
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Maria *************
Dont use an agency for Thai Elit visa, use their site for it, no reason at all to pay an agency for it, but with that said, with you cancer dont retire in Thailand without an insurance covering you
Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMaria Fredriksson I have insurance through the U.S. federal government through my husband. My cancer was treated here in entirety and my cancer symptoms weren’t ignored here like the in the U.S.
Poul **********
Maria Fredriksson actually agencies are free to use if they have agreement with Thailand Elite, they are paid commission for each successful application
I found them very helpful and at no cost
I found them very helpful and at no cost
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Poul **********
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Sebastjan *********
Elite visa is not without hassle. I used Siam Legal to do my paperwork.
After approval you need to collect sticker in bangkok (i needed 4-5 hours to be finished)
Keep in mind that you will have 90 day reportings (but it's easy. I go to the local office, leave my passport and pick it up in 2 days)
Also this visa doesn't grant you citizenship and privileges
But for me the process was easy
After approval you need to collect sticker in bangkok (i needed 4-5 hours to be finished)
Keep in mind that you will have 90 day reportings (but it's easy. I go to the local office, leave my passport and pick it up in 2 days)
Also this visa doesn't grant you citizenship and privileges
But for me the process was easy
Christian ********
Sebastjan Ivanuša if you have many possibiltys why they have you garant a livetime ? If you do nothing worse you can stay a livetime. if not you go back, where is the problem. In 14 years I know no one who be deneit for the extention.
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Christian ********
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Doug ******
Take a look at the LTR Visa as an option which you can apply for online if you qualify for the wealthy pensioner passive income requirement.
Also, for the Bronze Elite, check if you can open a local bank account. It’s not necessary but would be convenient to have.
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Also, for the Bronze Elite, check if you can open a local bank account. It’s not necessary but would be convenient to have.
Ivan ************
Doug you can open bank accounts on Elite/Privilege, it's one of the things they do. It's very straightforward if opening with one of the banks Elite deals with (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn or SCB). You can pay Elite to come with you but it's super easy to do yourself, you basically just need your passport and the card. And it's best to open the account near where you will live, while getting Elite to do it, they'll open in Bankgok.
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Ivan ************
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Wanda ******
wishing you good health regardless.
Peter **********
If you really are sick and have cancer complications, why not stay in your home country?
Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERPeter H Bates Not the question I asked. What does it matter to you? I had exponentially better care here. The U.S. ignored my cancer symptoms and I was a healthcare worker.
Wanda ******
Peter H Bates probably american.
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Wanda ******
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Charlie *********
I am not sure if it takes longer for a new member application, but, I just did an extension, from a 5 year TE visa to 15 year extension, and from when I submitted the application until I got the new visa sticker affixed in my passport was about 2.5 months
Ian ********
Have you looked at the cost of health insurance for you in Thailand?
Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIan Carman My insurance is through the Federal government in the United States. It covers me here, including my cancer treatment.
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Mandee *********
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Fiamma ******
It currently takes 1.5-2 months from apply prep to visa collection (either you get the visa stamp within Thailand or apply abroad), sometimes it could take longer but max. 3 months. Happy to help if needed.
Simon *******
Why didn't you look at the long term residence visa it my be better for you
Louis *******
@Simon ******
the million American dollars is a sticky point for most.Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSimon Adams I just want something easy. Been battling cancer. And I have no idea what a 1 MTB is as someone else mentioned. I just want something easy in my life right now.
Simon *******
Mandee LaRoque if you are over 50 then look at a 90 day non O visa then open a bank account using this visa and get a 12 month extension if you don't want the hassle anagent in Thailand can sort all off it out or come on a 60 day exemption that is free and pay anagent about
*****
bht to sort your non O and the 12 month extensionReply to
Simon *******
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Marky *******
Isn’t the elite visa 1 MTB ?
Andi ***********
@Marky ******
Gold is 900k, Platinum 1.5m 10yrs, . This Bronze is 650k it does not give the same spa, golf discounts etc like the others. it was set up to compete with the DTV.Gabriel ********
Andi Traveller Elite services existed long before the DTV
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Gabriel ********
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Glenn *****
Mandee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marky ******
I’m asking about the 5 year bronze elite visa. I don’t know what you’re referring to.Reply to
Mandee *********
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