The Thailand Investment visa will not get you a Thai passport. Under this Thai non-immigrant visa, wealthy individuals can apply for a non-immigrant residence visa under the investment, business, or pensioner categories, or they can engage in the Elite Residence Program for a residence permit by investment.
This post will explain how to apply for a Thai resident permit through investment and a Thai passport.
About the Thai residency by investment options
The Thailand Elite Residence Program provides a residence permit in exchange for an investment.
The Thailand Elite Residence Program allows applicants to live in Thailand for up to 20 years while receiving privileged services and advantages. Foreigners must join Thailand Elite, an elite program operated by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited (TPC), a Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports subsidiary, to get the Thailand Elite privilege entrance visa.
The visa is intended for investors, rich retirees, and highly compensated professionals. The main eligibility conditions include a clean criminal record and excellent health.
Only the Elite Ultimate Privilege visa has an age requirement that requires the investor to be over the age of 20.
Cosmopolitans can qualify for residency in Thailand by paying a membership fee to the Thailand Elite Residence Program. The length of stay in Thailand ranges from 5 to 20 years, depending on the Elite Visa membership package. When members of the program arrive in Thailand, they are given an Elite Visa.
Benefits of the Thailand Elite Visa include:
- multiple-entry with the option of extending the period of stay by one year for each entry;
- residence options ranging from THB 600,000 (approximately USD 19,000) for the five-year Elite Easy Access option to THB 2.14 million (approximately USD 68,000) for the 20-year Elite Ultimate Privilege option. There is no requirement for a minimum length of stay.
- Complimentary VIP services, such as a dedicated elite personal assistant for overseas flights and lounge access, as well as a 24-hour member contact center in multiple languages.
- Thailand has a low cost of living while maintaining a good standard of living.
- Allowed to remain continuously in Thailand without the need to leave the country every 90 days or obtain a re-entry visa;
- Thai Elite’s staff submits a report to the Thai Immigration Service every 90 days on behalf of the visa holder;
- Expedited immigration and passport control upon arrival in Thailand.
Thai Elite visas are temporary residence visas, but do not grant the right to permanent residence or citizenship in Thailand.
Options for Thailand’s Elite Residence Program
There are no residency requirements, and residents can stay in the country under a permanent resident status for as long as they choose within the limitations of their selected program.
The Thailand Elite Residence Program has seven Thai non immigrant visa program alternatives, each with a different validity, perks, and cost. The three most prevalent alternatives are as follows:
1. Elite Easy Access
This is a popular way for expats and entrepreneurs to enter and exit Thailand. The one-time charge for a five-year privilege entry visa is THB 600,000 including VAT (about USD 19,000). There is no yearly charge and no age limit. The resident visa cannot be transferred, but it can be upgraded to Elite Ultimate Privilege for THB 1.498 million including VAT (about USD 48,000) or Elite Superiority Extension for THB 400,000 including VAT (roughly USD 12,000).
2. Elite Family Excursion
Designed for a minimum of two persons, with each member receiving a five-year resident visa. Both applicants are covered by a one-time price of THB 800,000 including VAT (about USD 25,000), with an extra charge of THB 300,000 including VAT (approximately USD 10,000) each dependent.
Dependents of the core applicant may include legitimate parents, stepparents, a spouse (including through civil union), children, and stepchildren. There is no yearly charge and no age limit. The resident visa is not transferable. The package includes free VIP perks including airport shuttles and government concierge services.
3. Elite Superiority Extension
Individuals who pay a one-time cost of THB 1 million including VAT (about USD 32,000) will be granted a 20-year privilege entry visa.
There is no yearly charge and no age limit. The package includes free VIP benefits such as government concierge services and airport transportation.
Category Investment Validity All Elite Visa Categories
Thailand Elite Residence Program Changes
Thailand Privilege Card is introducing a new alternative for investors seeking a work visa in Thailand. From September, the new Elite Flexible Plus visa category will be available for investments of at least 30,000,000. The visa is valid for ten years.
Elite cardholders with at least ten years of validity are eligible for the new scheme. Cards must be at least 5 years old to be eligible for Elite Ultimate Privilege, Elite Superiority Extension, and Elite Privilege Access. Applicants must invest at least 32,000,000 during the year in all situations.
