Thailand Privilege Overview

The Most Convenient and Rewarding Way to Stay in Thailand Long-Term

Thailand Privilege, which provides the coveted Thailand Elite Visa, is a program operated by the Thai government that provides "high-potential foreigners" an easier way to make Thailand their second home. Whereas other kinds of visas in Thailand require you to jump through hoops like getting a job here or proving certain levels of income, Thailand Privilege lets you bypass much of the bureaucracy while also providing a wide range of exclusive benefits and perks. Let’s take a look at what Thailand Privilege is, how it works, its pros and cons, and how to apply.

What Is Thailand Privilege?

Thailand Privilege is a visa program that enables foreigners to stay in Thailand with the benefits of a multiple-entry visa for a set period from 5 to 20+ years. It is the new form of the Thailand Elite Visa, which has since been discontinued with the launch of Thailand Privilege. The program is available through the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by the Thai government.

The Thailand Privilege visa differs from the Long Term Residency (LTR) and Retirement visas in several key ways and provides you with a long list of additional perks and benefits not available with other long-term visas in Thailand. These extras make the visa more akin to a loyalty program, and it even has different levels of privilege based on your membership level.

What Does the Thailand Privilege Visa Cost?

The Thailand Privilege Visa costs more than the old Elite Visa, largely due to the many extra benefits.

Click on a membership level to learn more about each tier.

	Cost	Visa Validity	Able to add family members?	Transferable?
Gold Membership About Gold Membership	900,000 THB	5 years
Platinum Membership About Platinum Membership	1,500,000 THB	10 years
Diamond Membership About Diamond Membership	2,500,000 THB	15 years
Reserve Membership About Reserve Membership	5,000,000 THB	20 years

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How Thailand Privilege Works

If you’ve ever lived as an expat in Thailand or visited for an extended length of time, you know that earning the right to do so can be complicated, lengthy, and frustrating. Most visas here have requirements such as employment, proof of income/health insurance, or marriage, but not the Thailand Privilege visa. It really only has one requirement: money.

When you apply for a Thailand Privilege visa, you simply choose which level you wish to apply to, complete the application process, and then pay the appropriate fee. If approved, you get the visa and are automatically enrolled into a points system that provides even more rewards, such as free event tickets, deals on hotels, or assistance with 90-day reporting.

Pros and Cons of the Thailand Elite Privilege Visa

No Income or Insurance Requirement

You do not need to prove that you have sufficient regular income, maintain a certain level of investment, or possess health insurance to qualify for this visa.

Simple Processing

The process to acquire the Thailand Privilege visa is simple and quick, but only when compared to other paths to residency. As with other visas in Thailand, applying through a visa agent (in this case, a GSSA) is the fastest and easiest way to join the Thailand Privilege program.

Multiple Entry

The Thailand Privilege visa enables you to stay uninterrupted in Thailand and come and go as you please, with no need for “border runs.”

Financial Freedom

The Thailand Privilege visa grants you the ability to open a bank account at local banks, purchase shares in companies, and invest in certain kinds of real estate. As with other visas, however, you cannot own property in Thailand in your name.

No Path to Permanent Residency

While the Thailand Privilege visa is renewable, it does not put you on the path to permanent residency or citizenship as other visas do.

No Work Permit

Under the Thailand Privilege visa program, you are not permitted to work for a Thai company, as your visa is still technically a tourist visa. However, there are no restrictions on overseas income or income earned from investments in Thailand.

High Upfront Cost

Due to the extensive benefits, Thailand Privilege has steep upfront costs compared to other visa types. Furthermore, the fee is non-refundable and membership cannot be transferred unless you are at the Reserve level. The good news is, there are no annual fees as with other visas, so you only have to pay once and forget about it.

How to Apply for the Thailand
Privilege Visa

While the Thailand Privilege visa does have a relatively small list of qualifications, it also has some restrictions that could preclude you from applying.

Items You Must Provide

Foreign passport with at least 1 year of validity remaining
Photocopy of your passport’s biodata page
A high-resolution scan of a valid ID
Completed Thailand Privilege Visa application form
Completed PDPA form
Passport photo
Marriage certificate/birth certificate if applying for family members
Membership fee in full

Criteria You Must Meet

Cannot have a record of deportation from any country or overstay in Thailand
Cannot have a history of bankruptcy
Cannot be from a country on the UN Sanction List
Cannot have been deemed incompetent or of unsound mind
Must clear a criminal background check

Once you have decided which level of membership you want, applying for the Thailand Privilege visa is straightforward:

Fill out the application form

Book a FREE consultation with an authorized agent to discuss your membership options, the visa requirements, and the application process.

Pay the Application Fee and Send in the Application

Along with the documents listed above, you will need to send a payment of 50,000 THB as an application fee. However, this amount is deducted from your membership fee if you are approved, which makes it more of a deposit than a fee. If your background check does not pass, you will be refunded this money, but if you withdraw your application or fail to pay the full membership fee after being approved, this money is forfeited.

Pass the Screening Process

After they receive your application packet, the Thailand Privilege authority will perform a background check on you to determine your eligibility, which will typically take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Receive Approval and Pay the Membership Fee

You will be informed of your successful application with an approval letter. Once approved, you must then make the required payment in full. You can pay via credit card, bank transfer, cash, Alipay, or cryptocurrency.

Affix Visa to Passport

Once the payment is cleared, you’ll be approved to affix the new visa to your passport. This can be done in your home country’s Thai embassy or in Thailand at immigration services. Your visa agent can help you coordinate this.

Free Professional Thailand Privilege Application Assistance

To learn more about the Thailand Privilege visa program and make your application process smooth and stress-free, contact Siam Legal. We’re one of the largest and highest-performing authorized General Sales and Services Agents in the nation, and we can provide you with comprehensive application assistance, from initial consultation to affixing your new Thai Elite Visa, at no additional cost.

Our Thailand Privilege team will provide you with all the important facts and ensure your application is free from any errors that may cause a rejection. Siam Legal is committed to getting you your Thai Elite Visa as soon as possible so you can live your best Thailand life without delay.