Thailand stands as a highly desirable location in Southeast Asia, known for providing a cost-effective yet exceptional quality of life. Its draws encompass breathtaking historic relics, scuba diving locations, lush tropical islands, vibrant nightlife, regal palaces, Buddhist temples, and a multitude of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Program Overview
The Thailand Privilege Residence Program grants individuals the privilege of residing in the country for a period of up to 20 years while enjoying exclusive services and advantages. To obtain the Thailand Privilege visa, foreign citizens must enroll in the exclusive program provided by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited (TPC).
Program Benefits
- A variety of residency options, ranging from the five-year gold card (valued at THB 900,000 or approximately USD 25,000) to the 20-year reserve card (priced at THB 5 million or around USD 140,000).
- No obligatory minimum stay requirement.
- An appealing tax system.
- The potential to obtain a tax identification number and a tax residence certificate (if residing in Thailand for over 180 days per year).
- A cost-effective yet high standard of living.
- Complimentary VIP services, such as a 24-hour multilingual member contact center and a dedicated Thailand Privilege personal assistant, facilitating expedited immigration and baggage claim. Additionally, services are redeemable with points and include lounge access, hotel discounts, spa treatments, annual health check-ups, and assistance with opening a local bank account and obtaining a Thai driving license.
Program Qualifications
The eligibility criteria for the Thailand Elite Visa program vary depending on the chosen program. While educational prerequisites are not required, there is a minimum age restriction of 20 years, applicable only to the Elite Ultimate Privilege visa. You must hold a valid foreign passport and should not have a history of overstays in Thailand or deportations from any country.
However, the specific requirements differ based on the program you select. Here are some of the specific criteria for the most popular programs:
Elite Easy Access (5 years): The cost is USD 17,100 for an individual, and dependents cannot be included.
Elite Privilege Access (10 years): The cost is USD 28,500 for an individual, with additional fees for adding dependents.
Elite Family Excursion (5 years): Priced at USD 22,800 for two people, with extra charges for dependents.
Elite Family Alternative (10 years): The cost is USD 22,800 for an individual, with supplementary fees for dependents.
Elite Flexible Plus: Requires an investment of USD 1,000,000 in three specified formats.
Types of Investments and Fees
There are no specific residency requirements; residents with permanent status can stay in Thailand as long as they wish within their chosen program.
The Thailand Elite Residence Program offers seven Thai non-immigrant visa options, each varying in validity, privileges, and costs. The three most popular choices are:
Elite Easy Access: Ideal for expats and entrepreneurs, it provides a five-year privilege entry visa for THB 600,000, with no annual fee. Upgrades are available.
Elite Family Excursion: Designed for a minimum of two applicants, it offers five-year resident visas for THB 800,000 with no annual fee. Dependents can be included, and it includes VIP perks.
Elite Superiority Extension: For a one-time payment of THB 1 million, it grants a 20-year privilege entry visa with no annual fee and includes VIP services.
Fees:
| Membership Package | Membership Fee (THB) | Additional Fees (THB) |
| Elite Easy Access | 900,000 | None |
| Elite Executive Plus | 1,500,000 | 1,000,000 per dependent |
| Elite Superiority Extension | 2,000,000 | None |
| Elite Ultimate Privilege | 2,500,000 | None |
| Elite Privilege Extension | 2,500,000 | None |
Additional Fees:
Application fee: 5,000
Administrative fee: 5,000
Police clearance certificate: 2,000
Medical certificate: 1,000
Translation and notarization fees: Varies depending on the language and number of documents
Notes:
The membership fee is a one-time fee and is non-refundable.
Additional fees must be paid each time you renew your membership.
Dependents can be added to your membership for an additional fee.
The Thailand Elite Residence Program is not a citizenship program.
Please note that these fees are subject to change at any time. It is always best to check with the Thailand Elite Residence Program website for the most up-to-date information.
FAQs
Is Permanent Residency Possible in Thailand?
Yes, it is possible for foreigners to live in Thailand on a permanent basis. The primary route to achieve this is by applying for Thai permanent residency. To be eligible, you must have held a Thai non-immigrant visa for a minimum of three years before your application can be submitted. Additionally, you must qualify under one of the following categories for Permanent Residency in Thailand:
Investment
Employment/Business
Family support/Humanitarian reasons
Expertise or Academic
Other categories as determined by Thai immigration
Make Thailand your second home
Visa-Free Countries
POPULATION:
69,824,110 (2023 est.)
GDP (per capita):
$8,800 (nominal, 2023 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$30,000 (2023 est.)
CAPITAL CITY Bangkok
TIME ZONE Indochina Time (UTC+7)
TOTAL AREA 513,120 sq km (198,110 sq mi)
LANGUAGES Thai (official), regional languages and dialects (e.g., Malay, Chinese, Khmer)
CURRENCY Thai baht (THB)
MAIN INDUSTRY Tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, electronics
SCHENGEN/ EU Not part of the Schengen Area or the European Union
KEY ADVANTAGES
- Affordability: Thailand offers a cost-effective lifestyle.
- Expat-Friendly: Thailand is welcoming and accommodates expatriates.
- Natural Beauty and Culture: Thailand boasts diverse landscapes and rich cultural experiences.
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Disclaimer
The materials contained in this page are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or other professional advice. Processing times and costs will vary depending on a number of factors. CitizenMatch is not responsible for any changes to the time and cost estimates; we can provide specific information on an individual basis. All rights reserved.