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What must I do upon entering Thailand with an Elite visa?

Aug 13, 2025
3 days ago
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I recently got my Elite visa. I want to ask what I need to do every time I get in. TDAC is for sure. And then the TM30 too? What else?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When entering Thailand with an Elite visa, you need to ensure compliance with several requirements: register your details with the Thai Immigration Bureau using the TDAC (Thailand Departure Arrival Card), update your TM30 every time you stay overnight in a hotel or return to your home address, and complete a 90-Day Report after staying in Thailand for 90 consecutive days. The first 90-Day Report must be done in person, while subsequent reports can be submitted online. Obtaining a Pink ID card is also advisable as it can ease many administrative processes, including opening a bank account and accessing various services in the country.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

James *********
which elite visa do you have?
Holger **************
@James ********
Bronze ..
Jeremy ********
With the pink id and yellow house book get your DL with the 13 digit number, it helps out because if you use your passport every-time you get a new passport you have to update the DL…

the pink id number is for life

Also you can open a bank acct and get a SIM card with the 13 digit number on the pink id

And the best part is the fast track at the airport…no more long lines
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
can you please explain the pink id and how to go about it? This is the first time I am hearing about it.
Jeremy ********
@Suzene ****
A pink ID card in Thailand, officially called an "Alien Identification Card," is a form of identification for non-Thai nationals living in the country.

It's issued to foreigners who meet specific criteria, such as having a valid long-term visa, being registered in a yellow house book (Tabien Baan), or having a work permit. While it doesn't grant full citizenship rights, it serves as a recognized form of identification for various transactions and interactions with Thai authorities and organizations.

Thai Pink ID Card - A Guide for Foreign Nationals

Key Features and Benefits:

Identification:

It acts as a valid form of identification for foreigners, especially in situations where a passport might be inconvenient to carry.

Access to Services:

It can facilitate access to certain government services, healthcare, and national parks, often at Thai prices.

Hotel Bookings and Domestic Travel:

It can be used for checking into hotels and for domestic travel purposes.

Banking:

While some banks may still require a passport for opening accounts, the pink ID card can simplify the process and is sometimes accepted.

Proof of Residence:

When combined with a yellow house book, it can be helpful in obtaining residency certificates or registering vehicles.

Eligibility and Application:

Valid Long-Term Visa:

Applicants generally need a valid non-immigrant visa (e.g., O visa for retirement or marriage) or a work permit.

Yellow House Book:

Having a yellow house book (Tabien Baan) is often a prerequisite, as it indicates the foreigner's registered address in Thailand.

Application Process:

The application process typically involves submitting required documents (passport, visa, work permit, yellow house book), undergoing fingerprinting, and having a photo taken.

Important Considerations:

Not a Residence Permit:

The pink ID card does not grant permanent residency or full citizenship rights

Utility Varies:

The usefulness of the pink ID card can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances.

Not a Mandatory Requirement:

While it can be beneficial, it's not mandatory for all foreigners living in Thailand.
Jeremy ********
@Suzene ****
you can live in a Thai household and the house master can add you to the blue book which allows you to get a yellow book and a pink id card at the amphur office

You can also own a house (Pattaya gives expats blue books no idea why) and get a yellow book as well

The pink card some will say is useless but I know how to use it so it’s not useless it gives you a thai 13 digit ID number so use it to get a SIM card and DL plus add it to a bank acct
Simon *********
@Suzene ****
different provinces have different rules.

If you own a house or a condo, you can get a yellow house book, which also allows you to have a pink ID.

Where I live, having a 10 year rental agreement allowed me to get them.

From what I remember, I needed a thai translation of my passport, including names and addresses of my parents

Rental agreement and signed copy of my landlord's ID with their phone number.

You'd need to go ask at your local Amphur (district office)
Simon *********
That's pretty much it. With the Tm30 done, you can then do 90 day reports. First one needs to be done in person, after that they can be done online.

It's worth noting that anytime you stay over night in a hotel and they copy your passport for their Tm30, you will need to do another tm30, when you return to your home address...

If you can get a yellow house book, you also get a pink ID. If you use the ID in a hotel, rather than your passport, it doesn't break the tm30, thats got your passport listed 😏
Ossie *********
I thought the elite visa did everything for you that was the whole idea of it as far as I’m aware there is no charge for 90 day visa and you can do it on line I always thought if you have the elite visa they do it all on your behalf
Holger **************
@Ossie ********
If you arrange a Meeting with them at Airport....they Pick you Up at the arrival Gate and do everything for you
Ossie *********
@Holger *************
so basically you pay 650,000 for a 5 year meet and greet at the airport most of the thai visa’s are a joke I’m about to switch from an O visa to a 5 year DVT I’m going to do the Thai cookery course the last time I left Thailand was 18 years ago so I’m looking forward to taking trips to neighboring countries every 180 days
Greg ***********
@Ossie ********
you need to find a government approved cooking school. There are a few of them in Bangkok, they even advertise in the internet. You will find out they are a bit expensive. And you need to prove 3 months of a minimum of equivalent of 500,000 THB in your bank account
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ossie ********
this is the grey area about dtv. The rules keep changing. And you might have to pay more than you expect. Also, good luck finding a cooking course that lasts for 180 days. If you consider those courses that allow you to apply for dtv, mmmm… the law is not so lax now. You might have to go to school like Cordon Bleu.
Pete *******
@Ossie ********
The whole Elite Visa program is now worthless with the arrival of the DTV. Zero value for what you are paying.
Tracey ********
@Pete ******
but not all people qualify for the dtv, it has certain requirements
Pete *******
@Tracey *******
anyone can book a cooking course for a DTV, not sure what you mean by not qualifying?
Tracey ********
@Pete ******
I'm just going by what Ive read, don't you only have 180 days and have to then leave and come back? Google is confusing about the DTV, could you explain what you need to do for a DTV and what happens when in Thailand in the DTV?
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
defo not a course that lasts only a week or two. Not a month. So you think the Thai government will let one stay for 6 months just because you paid for two weeks course?
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
not true. You have to pay tax for the dtv. You have to prove salary for applying for dtv. Or you have to prove you are in Thailand for some education purpose. Also the dtv rules are changing every few weeks. Someone reported in this forum the other week. That he has to find an accountant to help him.
Pete *******
@Suzene ****
you have to pay tax on an Elite as well. There is zero value in an Elite visa. The whole program is dying due to the popularity and value of the DTV.
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
huh? What kind of tax? I asked before and the elite office says no. Because I am not working remotely in Thailand.
Pete *******
@Suzene ****
once you become tax resident on the Elite visa you will be required to pay personal income tax on assessable income remitted into Thailand.
Max *************
@Ossie ********
You get through immigration faster,but that's basically all. You're paying a lot for a visa just because you haven't reached 50 years of age.Imo, a waste of money since the DTV was released.
Tracey ********
@Max ************
not everyone qualifies for the dtv
Jan ******************
TDAC, get your TM.30 updated and 90 days report. (90 days report only after 90 consecutive days in Thailand).
Suzene *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
do I need to pay for the every 90day report? Or is it just to go to the Sathorn elite office to give and collect my passport? So every time I return to bkk. Tdac is for sure. But do I have to keep doing my tm30? I tried to do the tm30 just now. The site is poorly designed. They did not ask me for dates.
Bob **********
@Suzene ****
just go to the Elite office they will take care of it that’s one of the privileges of this visa get your free massages also
David *******
@Suzene ****
In Bangkok you can do the first 90-day report by mail
Jan ******************
@Suzene ****
First 90 days report after re-entering Thailand you’ll need to do in person. After you can do it electronically. Ask your immigration regarding update of your TM.30 each time you re-enter. Some demand update, some don’t require it as long as it to the same address.
Max *************
@Jan *****************
At most immigration offices, there are no such thing as an update of the TM30. It's basically a new TM30 being submitted.
Jan ******************
@Max ************
You update your address registration with a new TM.30. How else would you do it, write on the old one?🤡
Max *************
@Suzene ****
The 90 days report is free. After every arrival you need to do the first report in person. Following reports can be done online as long as you're in country. You must submit the TM30 within 24 hours after arrival.
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