[email protected]
Two Pacific Place Building, 142 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
The Thailand Elite Visa, formally known as the Privilege Entry Visa (PE), is a long-term residence visa issued under the authority of Section 17 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Unlike standard visa categories, which are issued based on demonstrable criteria (e.g., employment, retirement, marriage), the Elite Visa is granted on discretionary grounds and structured through a paid membership agreement with Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC), a wholly government-owned entity.
The benefits associated with this visa are not solely derived from immigration status but are augmented through contractual entitlements, forming a hybrid model of immigration facilitation and premium administrative service.
Section 17 empowers the Minister of Interior, with Cabinet approval, to grant exceptions to Thailand’s standard immigration rules:
“In special cases, the Minister, with the approval of the Cabinet, may permit any alien or group of aliens to stay in the Kingdom under any conditions.”
This legal basis allows the Thai Elite Visa to exist independently from eligibility-based categories and provides the Immigration Bureau wide discretion in its administration.
A state-owned enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Operates as the exclusive issuer and manager of Thai Elite Visa memberships
Contracts directly with applicants, providing both immigration coordination and lifestyle services
Coordinates with the Immigration Bureau for visa issuance and reporting procedures
TPC is not a government agency but performs quasi-public functions under ministerial authority.
Membership in the Thailand Privilege Card Program provides access to various tiers of the Elite Visa, each differing in duration, cost, and annual service entitlements.
| Tier | Membership Fee | Visa Validity | Annual Privilege Points | Transferable | Dependents Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | THB 900,000 | 5 years | 20 points | No | No |
| Platinum | THB 1.5 million | 10 years | 35 points | Yes (1x) | Yes |
| Diamond | THB 2.5 million | 15 years | 55 points | Yes (1x) | Yes |
| Reserve | THB 5 million | 20 years | 120 points | Yes (exclusive) | Yes |
Each membership includes a Non-Immigrant PE visa that is:
Issued in renewable 5-year increments
Valid for 365-day stays per entry
Multiple-entry enabled
Renewable without exit from Thailand
Holders of the Elite Visa benefit from legal stay in Thailand without meeting traditional criteria:
No income threshold
No work sponsorship
No family or marital relationship requirements
No health insurance mandates (subject to policy changes)
This is in contrast to O-A (retirement), O-X (long stay), and Non-B (business) visas, which involve stringent documentation and ongoing proof of status.
Elite Visa holders are exempt from reentry permit requirements, allowing unrestricted travel in and out of Thailand without impacting visa validity.
Unlike most long-term visas, which require physical departure and reapplication for certain extensions, Elite Visa renewals are handled in-country, typically at:
One Stop Service Center (OSSC) for Bangkok residents
Local Immigration Offices for other provinces
Under Thai law, all foreigners must:
Submit a TM.47 (90-day report)
Complete TM.30 (residence notification) when changing accommodation
Elite Visa holders can authorize TPC to file these reports on their behalf, minimizing direct immigration interaction.
Beyond immigration advantages, members receive annual Privilege Points, which can be redeemed for bundled services.
| Category | Examples of Services |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Executive check-ups at top-tier hospitals (e.g., Bumrungrad, BNH) |
| Transport | Airport limousine services, intercity chauffeuring |
| Hospitality | Hotel stays, fine dining, travel packages |
| Wellness | Spa treatments, golf course access, health consultations |
| Personal Services | Concierge assistance, shopping, translation, and bookings |
Privilege Points expire annually, are non-transferable, and are limited to vendor availability under TPC’s framework.
TPC also provides logistical support in dealing with Thai administrative bodies:
| Function | Support Provided |
|---|---|
| Driver’s License | Translation, booking, transport to the Department of Land Transport |
| Bank Account Setup | Letters of endorsement to participating banks |
| TIN Registration | Coordination with Revenue Department for tax ID issuance |
| Document Legalization | Translation, notarization, consular support |
These services ease procedural access but do not waive legal compliance obligations.
Under Thai law, any individual staying in Thailand 183 days or more in a calendar year becomes a tax resident. This entails:
Filing annual personal income tax returns (Form PND.90 or 91)
Declaring Thai-source income
Potential taxation of foreign-source income, depending on remittance timing
Thailand’s Revenue Code stipulates:
Foreign-sourced income is taxable only if remitted into Thailand in the same calendar year it is earned.
This permits lawful tax deferral strategies:
Offshore earnings held abroad and remitted in future years are exempt
Remittance planning becomes essential for Elite Visa holders with global income
From Platinum tier onward, members may enroll:
Spouses
Children under 20
Each dependent requires an additional THB 1 million enrollment fee and receives:
The same visa duration
No Privilege Points unless separately enrolled
Dependents are subject to the same immigration compliance and tax laws.
The Elite Visa does not permit work. Unauthorized employment—including remote work for Thai clients, management roles, or volunteering—violates the Alien Working Act and may result in:
Visa revocation
Deportation
Entry bans
Fines or criminal liability
Elite Visa holders are treated as foreigners under Thai land law:
May own condominiums (subject to 49% foreign quota)
May lease land or houses (up to 30 years)
May not own freehold land
No enhanced rights over and above standard foreign ownership limits
| Trigger | Consequence |
|---|---|
| False application data | Immediate contract termination and visa cancellation |
| Immigration law breach | Overstay, failure to report—penalties and potential blacklist |
| Unauthorized employment | Deportation, loss of status, legal action |
| Criminal conviction | Discretionary visa cancellation by Immigration Bureau |
Membership fees are strictly non-refundable, regardless of cause for termination.
Age: 20 years or older
Valid passport
No history of immigration violations or criminal convictions
Pass background screening by the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau
Submit application via TPC or an authorized agent
Undergo background screening (typically 30–90 days)
Upon conditional approval, remit full membership fee
Visa affixed at:
Thai embassy/consulate abroad, or
One Stop Service Center (OSSC) in Bangkok
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Duration | 5–20 years (tier-based) |
| Work Authorization | Not included |
| Tax Residency Threshold | 183 days/year |
| Foreign Income Tax | Taxed only if remitted in year earned |
| Reporting Delegation | TM.30 and TM.47 via Power of Attorney |
| Lifestyle Benefits | Privilege Points redeemable annually |
| Administrative Help | Banking, licensing, legalization via TPC |
| Property Rights | Condominium ownership only; land lease allowed |
| Family Inclusion | Yes (Platinum tier and above, for additional fee) |
| Refund Policy | None—fees are non-refundable under all circumstances |
The Thai Elite Visa is a legally sanctioned, contract-based immigration instrument that offers long-term residence in Thailand with reduced administrative friction. While it does not provide work rights, investment incentives, or paths to permanent residency, it does offer:
Stable legal status
Administrative support
Access to lifestyle and concierge services
It is best suited for retirees, offshore earners, and non-working expatriates who require simplicity, flexibility, and a predictable residence framework. However, its privileges come with clearly defined legal boundaries, and members must remain compliant to preserve their status.
