Is the Elite Visa a better option than the retirement visa for expatriates in Thailand?

@Tod ********

Thanks Tod this is a really good site first day on and got a lot sorted very impressed with all Thanks :-)

@Lynne ******

I'm sure you'll be very pleased Lynne :-) PM me anytime if you have any other questions.

@Robert ***********

well Robert my question certainly got a LOT of feedback - some good some bad lol but we have made the decision that we will be doing it - thank you Robert for all your feedback and others of course it was exactly what we needed to make our final decision.

I have yet to hear of anybody selling their membership either, even at a substantial profit.

It is choice and nothing more. There is no financial benefit, no benefit that can't be paid for in other ways. It is a choice for those with the money to pay and who believe it is worthwhile ;)

ic

The O-X visa has a 10 year time frame in two 5 year segments

The O-A Visa Multi- Entrt is not 10 years. Initial issue of the O-A is one year. And is extended 12 months each exit from and reentry to Thailand go until the first year expiry

@Robert ***********

i know ;-)

@Jeff *********

I am very pleased to have joined...

Or

Alan Phillips, It depends on which membership option you select, from 5 years to 20 years and between Bt. 500,000 and 2,000,000, see

@Robert ***********

nice

sorry came in late on this one, how much do you need for the Elite visa

Anytime you visit DMCW you are not required to get a queue number for services. Just identify your self as an Elite member and the officers will process you immediately...

good points ;-)

There is also a support team to assist Elite visa "members" with any needs to facilitate their stay in Thailand. The term "member" is key.

For one, there are no supporting documents required to apply for the Elite visa, unlike any other visa options.

Yes I see the point of it.

Well stated Joe, sadly many choose to slag the program (which might confuse some) instead of understanding it better or asking questions....

There is not really a lot of difference. It really is convenience more than anything. Elite is perfect for those well away from 50 with no other options or frequent Travellers. However for 10 years for a retirement extension plus multi entry it is 57,000 baht. For elite it is 1 million. A massive difference. For Elite you get the benefits of golf and airport pickups and all that. But if you used an agent to do your extensions, booked yourself a car for the airport, paid for golf yourself, it would still be substantially cheaper than the package they offer is. It is designed for the Business Traveller but some retirees with extra cash go for it also. I do not see the benefit for that amount of money myself. They do have a skimmed down version for visa only which 1 mill for 20 years or 50k baht per year. That is a little more reasonable. EDIT - you also put the 800k up front but keep it. Elite you put 500k up front but do not keep it.

@David ***********

you only pay the 1900 baht if you dont leave the country for a complete year. If i leave the country every week, i get a complete new years stamp everytime i come back in. I've never paid for an extension. I also have no wish to have any dealings with immigration if i don't need too or re-entry permits, money in an account for 3 months and anything else they decide to come up with. I much prefer seeing a visa in my passport valid for 5 years each time.

@Ron ******

I don't have elite and I also go every year and pay 1900. So what's the difference?

Thanks guys

All Elite visa extensions must be done in person....

@Ciaran *********

every time you enter Thailand you get a full years permission to stay. If you DON'T leave the country, you go to immigration and buy another years permission to stay for 1900 baht.

So the yearly extensions for the Elite don't have to be done in person?

@Michael *******

very true, but no documents are required for the Elite visa ;-)

@Robert ***********

You can do that with the yearly retirement extension ;)

The Elite visa is also great for those of us that wish to remain in Thailand for the long term and do NOT wish to travel anywhere and apply for new visas.