Answered6 years ago
What are the experiences and costs associated with the Thai Elite Visa process?
Give me joy, shipmates. I have finally completed the Thai Elite (TE) process.
If you're considering doing this, please allow at least two months(!) to complete it. It was even more in my case because it turned out my bankers are Hoares and Fuggers. And I made the mistake of transferring to my Thai account before transferring to TE. Side note, this step also showed that the actual price is not necessarily just 500k.
Big up to those of you who helped with advice (advise?) and pointers along the way. Owe you a beer or two!
If you're considering doing this, please allow at least two months(!) to complete it. It was even more in my case because it turned out my bankers are Hoares and Fuggers. And I made the mistake of transferring to my Thai account before transferring to TE. Side note, this step also showed that the actual price is not necessarily just 500k.
Big up to those of you who helped with advice (advise?) and pointers along the way. Owe you a beer or two!
Answer summary
A member shared their experience completing the Thai Elite Visa process, emphasizing the importance of allowing at least two months for completion. They encountered banking issues that extended their timeline and increased costs beyond the stated 500,000 baht. The discussion includes comments about the value and practicality of the Elite Visa compared to other visa options, criticisms of the cost, and advice for future applicants, highlighting the need to transfer funds correctly and manage expectations.
33 repliesnewest first
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Alice ********
Advice. It drives me insane when people put advise. I don’t correct but since you asked.....🥳
Thomas ********************
OPIt was a lame attempt at humour :) You might remember it was a hot topic a while back.
Steve **********
What was actual price
Alice ********
It’s on the Thai embassy website. Just look.
Thomas ********************
OPI'm not even sure. But you do loose a lot on exchange rates and fees. Plus, again, as noted above, transferring to my bank here first was a clear mistake.
Geoff ********
I have been on tourist and education visas. I have 30 stamps and paper since November 18! Sick to death of reporting and going to immigration twice every 90 days. I'm 46 so Elite I would need for only 3.5 years. I worked out it's going to be 130,000 b for the next 4 years. 370,000 more.
What was the total cost other than the 500,000 b?
What was the total cost other than the 500,000 b?
Wayne ********
@Geoff *******
u pay for want Geoff it’s not for all and everyone but there are benefits i worked out for my wife and i and we have to family 800k for 5 yrs and after costs and benefits yes we are still paying more but if money is not the issue do it xx it’s not for all and one xx Wayne ********
@Geoff *******
if u need help or private comments message me i had retirement visa fir yrs and changed to TE Thomas ********************
OPYes. Plus bankers using me to finance their xmas party strippers.
Tod *********
The Elite visa program works exactly as they outline it and there is not a thing wrong with it at all. In fact the ONLY people who down the program and people who either qualify for other visa/extensions and cant see the need to have the expense OR people who can't afford it at all.
It does exactly what it does, it works exactly like they say and it is a trouble free way to stay. The 5 year 500K program works out to 9 USD a day over the 5 years you get your visa ;)
It does exactly what it does, it works exactly like they say and it is a trouble free way to stay. The 5 year 500K program works out to 9 USD a day over the 5 years you get your visa ;)
Robert ********
Pointless doing it at the moment as still wont be allowed entry.
Thomas ********************
OPBeing a tourist, I know I probably would've been covered by the "amnesty" through July. But beyond that I would be running out of options. As noted above, it would be marriage or this.
Thomas ********************
OPNot pointless if you're inside the country.
Wayne ********
i got TE 3 yrs ago took 6 hrs from sending them my form and 1 hr acceptance then transferred the money have heard it takes much longer now xxx
Thomas ********************
OPFirst I discovered my Danish bank would only allow me to transfer ~100k baht pr day ( => 6xFees!) So, that delayed proceedings. Second, as mentioned, I made the mistake of transferring to my Thai account first. I'm generally very ok with Bangkok Bank. But they were NOT helpful about facilitating the transfer to Thai Elite. And that part also cost quite a bit more than expected. All in all. I hate banks :)
Jimmy ******
What happened during the bank transfer?
Thomas ********************
OPThere's probably a lot of variables here. My point is it would be a good idea to investigate if one has a desired time frame.
Plus, as mentioned, I should've just transferred directly from Denmark to TE. That was a mistake.
Plus, as mentioned, I should've just transferred directly from Denmark to TE. That was a mistake.
Thomas ********************
OPI don't think it's that extravagant. The money I've spent on flights and hotels and anguish and whatnot to maintain tourist visas isn't too far from just sucking it up and doing Elite.
Alex *********
@Thomas *******************
Absolutly,not extravagant like you said,let people talking!i got it 3 years ago,was too young for retirement visa,and too much stamps visa run on passport,immigration caught me at airport and almost fired me from the kingdom!
Now im feeling free with no Thai marriage,no headaches and no wasting time at immigration or insecure thai van😜
Wayne ********
@Thomas *******************
i has a retirement visa for years when it was simple and easy then in phuket they started moving the goalposts around and making obscene requests not money but documents etc which never has an issue with in the past. if you not 50 it’s an easy way to go if financially you can afford it as it’s not financial viable for all and sundry but it does alleviate keeping 800k in a thai bank or 1.6 in my case for wife and i and having to get bank statements and balances etc just means for 5 yrs i don’t need to go anywhere near the place except ocassionally to do 90 reporting if i haven’t been in and out if the country or given passport to TE to do for me... good luck
Roger ********
How the rich do live ...... LOL
Ryan *************
500k for a visa? with the rules changing every month you must be mad! I pay 65 pounds and wait 2 days heh
John *********
Ryan, totally get where you’re coming from. Same me. It’s a “last resort” or “easiest” long stay visa for the under 50 crowd.
Feels like a waste of money so better have plenty.
As many chimed in, seems to be the most stable.
All the other visas laws and requirements change often.
Be well bro.
Feels like a waste of money so better have plenty.
As many chimed in, seems to be the most stable.
All the other visas laws and requirements change often.
Be well bro.
Tod *********
Stick with what you know
@Ryan ************
, because it's sure NOT the Thai elite visa program. That thing has gone thru many MANY thai governments and it works the same way it always has. I know probably 15-20 people on it and not one of them says anything other than good stuff about it 
Asger *********
Unfortunately most visa-options require that you have a lot of money! Else there are visa-agents but they are expensive too........wow, I wish there were some better visa opportunities for poor people like me :-)
Thomas ********************
OPVery nice, thanks! When did they introduce this scheme?
Bobby ********
@Ryan ************
. You can't work on an elite visaThomas ********************
OPI think my only other option at this point would be marriage. And I'm definitely not rich enough for that :)
Thomas ********************
OPMight be jinxing myself here. I'm fairly certain the TE conditions has been stable since they started the program.
And I'm not rich, btw.
And I'm not rich, btw.
James **************
@Ryan ************
****************************************
James **************
@Ryan ************
its the thai elite visa. Can cost from 500k to one million baht depending on which one you go for.
Henrik **************
@Ryan ************
and you must be poor 😅
Cameron ********
@Ryan ************
Be quiet peasant Activity
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