Thailand is an incredibly appealing place to live. With its diverse culture, beautiful islands and low cost of living, it’s no surprise that a growing number of people are looking to move there.
Whilst Thailand doesn’t have a golden visa per se, it does have an Elite Visa, which is designed for high-net-worth individuals and expats looking to live there long term.
If you are thinking of moving to Thailand, then here’s everything you need to know about the Thailand Elite Visa.
What is the Thailand Elite Visa?
The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa issued by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Ltd which operates under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
It allows people to secure residency for 5, 10 or 20 years depending on the membership package they go for – which is categorised into 4 tiers. With this visa, the holder does not need to leave the country every 90 days (as with other visa types) and simply pays 1 fee to receive their rights.
Unlike other Thai visas, the Thailand Elite Visa does not set age, employment or income criteria. That means the person does not have to be employed to get it and does not have to commit to investing.
With the Elite Visa, the membership fees are paid as a one time fee to activate the visa and allow the person to enjoy the benefits.
Who Is Eligible For The Thailand Elite Visa?
To qualify for the Thailand Elite Visa, applicants must:
- Hold a foreign passport (ie not be a Thai citizen)
- Have no criminal record in Thailand or anywhere else around the world.
- Have never overstayed a visa in Thailand.
- Have not been declared bankrupt.
Unlike other Golden Visa programmes, there is no minimum age or income needed, the applicant just needs to pay the initial fee which covers the visa duration.
Investment Needed For The Thailand Elite Visa
Unlike other visas, The Thailand Elite Visa is designed as a membership programme, with different tiers based on the length of stay and whether family can be included.
Each membership is paid as a one time fee, which can then be renewed (or upgraded) once the term is up.
The options include:
Gold Membership (5 years)
- Cost: THB 900,000 (~£23,000)
- Available until: 30th June 2025
- Family Inclusion: Not allowed
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Platinum Membership (10 years)
- Cost: THB 1.5 million (~£35,400)
- Family Inclusion: THB 1 million (~£23,600) per dependent
Diamond Membership (15 years)
- Cost: THB 2.5 million (~£59,000)
- Family Inclusion: THB 1.5 million (~£35,400) per dependent
Elite Reserve Membership (20 years – By Invitation Only)
- Cost: THB 5 million (~£117,800)
- Family Inclusion: THB 2 million (~£47,200) per dependent
Note: Dependents can be spouses, children and parents.
How To Apply For The Thailand Elite Visa
Step 1: Submit Your Application
- You will have to apply through the official Thailand Privilege Card website.
- As part of the process, they will want to see relevant documents including background checks and passport information.
- You will have to pay a THB 50,000 (~£1,200) application fee, which is then deducted from the final membership cost.
Step 2: Background Check & Approval
- Thai authorities will then do a a background check, which takes 1 to 3 months.
- Once approved, you will receive a confirmation letter and payment instructions.
Step 3: Pay The Membership Fee
- Transfer the membership fee of your chosen package.
- Payment must be made within 30 days.
Step 4: Collect Your Visa
- Once paid, you will then be given a membership ID with instructions of how to get the visa within 5-10 working days.
- These instructions will include where you can pick up the visa, including embassies, consulates and Thai airports.
- Once you have got the visa, you can stay in Thailand for up to 20 years, depending on your Elite Visa package.
Why Choose To Live In Thailand?
Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular countries due to its low cost of living, growing tech scene and beautiful nature.
Thailand also has a very strong medical system, with many people travelling there for more affordable medical care.
In addition to this, life in Thailand can be an amazing lifestyle. Thai culture is very welcoming and has become a popular travelling destination for many western tourists. With beautiful beaches, mountains and temples around every corner, it’s certainly an exciting place to live.
Should You Move To Thailand?
The Thailand Elite Visa is one of the easiest residency visas in the world, giving people a simple way to enjoy Thailand’s incredible lifestyle.
With no financial investment needed, and just a single payment to secure, it’s a great way to get residency without being tied to a company or investment programme.
If you want to enjoy Thailand’s culture, stunning nature and growing tech scene, the Thailand Elite Visa is the perfect way to unlock your new home in paradise.