Thailand combines tropical coastlines and year-round warmth with excellent private healthcare, efficient transport, and reliable digital infrastructure. For foreigners seeking to live in this Southeast Asian country, the Thailand Privilege Visa Program offers a straightforward route to long-term residence.
Formerly known as the Thailand Elite Visa, the Thailand Privilege Visa is a membership program that offers long-term stay rights in Thailand through the issuance of a Privilege Entry (PE) Visa, a long-term multiple-entry tourist visa.
Designed for high-net-worth individuals, frequent travelers, retirees, and families, this program offers a range of benefits, including fast-track arrivals, unlimited exits and re-entries in Thailand, airport VIP services, concierge support with immigration admin, and no income or investment requirements.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Thai Privilege Visa. Keep reading to learn about the eligibility criteria, requirements, costs, and step-by-step application process.
- What is the Thailand Privilege Visa?
- What are the key benefits of the Thailand Privilege Visa?
- Eligibility and Requirements for the Thailand Privilege Visa
- What’s the application process for the Thailand Privilege Visa?
- Thailand Privilege Visa vs. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thailand Privilege Visa?
The Thailand Privilege Program is a membership program that offers long-term stay rights through the multiple-entry Privilege Entry (PE) Visa. Unlike standard visas, it allows stays of up to one year per entry, renewable annually, with no minimum stay requirement.
Members enjoy exclusive perks, including airport fast-track services, concierge assistance for government paperwork, healthcare discounts, and additional benefits with access to luxury experiences across Thailand.
The program operates across five membership tiers, which are similar to the previous Thailand Elite Visa cost. Each differs in duration, cost, and benefits:
| Tier | Validity | Membership Fee (THB)* | Approx. USD | Annual Privilege Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 5-year residency permit | 650,000 | ~17,700 | None |
| Gold | 5-year residency permit | 900,000 | ~24,500 | 20 |
| Platinum | 10-year residency permit | 1,500,000 | ~40,900 | 35 |
| Diamond | 15-year residency permit | 2,500,000 | ~68,200 | 55 |
| Reserve | 20-year residency permit (by invite only) | 5,000,000 | ~136,400 | 120 |
*Exchange rate based on THB 36.8 = USD 1 (September 2025). Fees are to be paid in Thai Baht.
Thai Elite Visa Benefits
The Thailand Privilege Program goes far beyond a regular visa as most people know it. It’s a lifestyle membership designed for comfort, access, ease of living, and including the option for a long-term visa. Here are some perks you might expect when you apply:
01/ Long-term stay and unlimited re-entry
Holders can live in Thailand for up to one year per entry, renew annually, and travel freely with unlimited entries without a re-entry permit.
02/ No income or investment requirement
Unlike the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa, there are no income, investment, or health insurance thresholds. Approval depends only on background screening and having a clean immigration record for all foreigners applying.
03/ VIP airport and immigration services
Members enjoy priority immigration, VIP lounges, and meet-and-greet assistance at major airports including Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
04/ Concierge and government assistance
Members receive an elite personal assistant to help with:
- 90-day reporting and visa renewals.
- Opening bank accounts and obtaining Thai Tax ID.
- Driver’s license and marriage registration.
- TM30 address notifications.
05/ Access to worldclass healthcare system
Annual health check-ups at leading hospitals (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital).
- Discounts on medical, dental, and wellness treatments.
- Redeemable Privilege Points for spa, golf, and fitness services.
06/ Family inclusion
The Platinum, Diamond, and Reserve tiers allow dependents, including spouses (same sex recognized), children, and parents (with no age limit). Dependent fees range from THB 1 million to 2 million per person.
07/ Privilege Points Program
Each year, members in eligible tiers receive a set of Privilege Points redeemable for lifestyle and service upgrades, such as hotel stays, luxury transport, fine dining, and travel benefits.
Thailand Privilege Visa Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply?
You can qualify if you meet Thailand Privilege’s baseline checks and immigration rules. In practice, applicants must:
- Hold a valid foreign passport and be lawfully permitted to stay under Thai immigration law.
- Pass background screening: Run by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. with the Immigration Bureau.
- Have no disqualifying criminal history: In other words, no record of imprisonment except for negligence and/or petty offenses).
- Not be bankrupt or legally incompetent.
- Comply with immigration obligations while in Thailand (such as mandatory reporting to confirm residential address if you stay 90+ consecutive days).
Take note that the program is not investment-based. There’s no property purchase or capital investment requirement beyond the membership fee.
Required documents (upon application)
When you apply, have the following documents ready:
- Completed membership application form.
- Color copy of passport bio-data page: Valid ≥ 6 months).
- Recent passport-style photograph. It should be taken against a white background, taken within 6 months of application.
- Thai visa or most recent entry stamp, if already in Thailand).
- Signed PDPA (Personal Data Protection Law) consent form.
- Proof of family relationship(s). If adding dependents, you will need marriage/birth/adoption certificates.
- Signed self-declaration confirming the following: no qualifying imprisonment record; not bankrupt; not legally incompetent; legally permitted to stay in Thailand; and holding a valid foreign passport.
Please note that all these submissions can be done online.
After you’ve submitted the required documents, Thailand Privilege Card Co. will conduct eligibility checks. In some cases, additional documents may be requested.
What’s the application process for the Thailand Privilege Visa?
Applying for the Thailand Privilege Visa is a straightforward process. Most steps are completed online through authorized agents (listed by the Thai Embassy or Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.), and only one stage—the visa stamping—is handled in person.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit your application
Complete the Thailand Privilege membership application form and upload the required documents, including a passport copy, recent photo, PDPA consent form, and signed background declaration.
- Background screening
Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. and the Thai Immigration Bureau conduct standard eligibility and security checks.
- Receive approval and payment instructions
If your application is approved, you’ll receive an Approval Letter along with payment instructions for the one-time, non-refundable membership fee.
- Pay the membership fee
Transfer the total fee in Thai Baht (THB) to the official Thailand Privilege account within the designated payment window.
- Receive your Welcome Package
Once payment is confirmed, you’ll receive your official Welcome Letter, membership ID, and digital or physical membership card.
- Visa issuance (the only in-person step)
The visa affixation happens in person. You can choose one of three official options:
- At a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad, before traveling;
- At the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, if you are already in Thailand; or
- On arrival at designated international airports, such as Suvarnabhumi or Phuket, where authorized officers can affix the visa directly into your passport.
After the visa is issued, you can enter Thailand at any time and begin enjoying your membership privileges immediately.
Processing time: The typical turnaround for application review and approval is 4 – 6 weeks from submission.
Thailand Privilege Visa Membership Fees
The Thailand Privilege Visa operates on a one-time membership fee model, payable only after application approval. Each tier (Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Reserve) has a fixed cost ranging from THB 650,000 to THB 5,000,000, depending on the visa’s validity period (anywhere from five to twenty years).
Application and processing fees
All applicants pay a non-refundable processing fee of THB 50,000 (about USD 1,360) when submitting their application.
If the application is approved, this amount is deducted from the membership fee. There is no separate government application fee beyond this processing charge.
Payment and visa issuance
Once approved, the applicant receives an Approval Letter and instructions to pay the membership fee in Thai Baht currency via a bank transfer to the official Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. Account.
The payment must be made in full within the 30-day window indicated in the approval notice. After payment confirmation, the member receives a Welcome Letter, a membership card (physical or digital), and can have the visa affixed at:
- A Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
- The Immigration Bureau in Bangkok (if already in Thailand).
- Designated international airports such as Suvarnabhumi or Phuket.
Additional costs
- Stay extension fee: Each one-year stay can be extended locally for THB 1,900 (~USD 52).
- Dependent fees: Dependents pay a one-time supplementary membership fee when added under the eligible tiers (Platinum, Diamond and Reserve), with no recurring renewal costs.
All payments are non-refundable, and membership validity (which is also visa validity) remains active only while fees are paid in full, and the membership term is current.
Obtaining Citizenship in Thailand
The Thailand Privilege Visa is not a route to Thai citizenship. It is issued as a Privilege Entry (PE) tourist-type visa, not a non-immigrant visa, and therefore does not qualify its holders to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Time spent in Thailand on this visa does not count toward permanent residency or form a part of naturalization requirements.
Immigration Rules and Compliance
Thailand Privilege members must follow the same immigration procedures as all foreign visitors:
- 90-day reporting: If a Thai elite visa holder (or any Thai visa holder for that matter) is staying in the country for 90 days continuously, they must submit a report every 90 days confirming their residential address to the Thai immigration bureau. It must be filed within 15 days before or 7 days after the 90-day mark. Concierge services can assist with filing.
- Stay extension: One-year stay per entry can be extended locally for THB 1,900 (~USD 52).
- TM30 reporting: Notify immigration when changing residence.
- No minimum physical presence required to maintain membership.
- No right to work or operate a Thai business under this visa category.
What are the limitations of the Thailand Privilege Membership Program?
- The Privilege Entry Visa is purely a tourist-class visa, not a residence permit.
- It does not lead to permanent residency or Thai citizenship.
- Holders cannot work or study without switching to another visa type.
- The visa does not include public healthcare or social security benefits.
- Membership is non-transferable and non-inheritable, though dependents may be added during the membership period.
Taxation Overview for Thailand Privilege Membership Program
The Privilege Visa itself does not grant tax residency or special tax benefits. Tax liability depends on physical presence in Thailand.
Tax residency rules
- Thailand becomes your country of tax residence after you spend 180 days or more in the country within a calendar year.
- Residents are taxed only on Thai-source income and foreign-source income remitted in the same year.
- Non-residents are taxed only on Thai-source income.
- Progressive personal income tax rates range from 0% to 35%.
Thailand has over 60 tax treaties, preventing potential double taxation, providing relief on income taxation and withholding taxes.
For professionals, including digital nomads, the Thailand Board of Investment’s (BOI) LTR program offers flat-rate tax incentives separate from the Privilege Visa.
Thailand Privilege Visa vs. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
| Feature | Thailand Privilege Visa | Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multiple-entry long-stay tourist visa. | Investment or skills-based residence visa. |
| Work rights | Not permitted. | Permitted with work permit. |
| Duration | 5 to 20 years (renewable). | 10-year residency permit (renewable). |
| Cost | THB 650,000 – 5,000,000. | THB 50,000 (application fee only). |
| Income requirement | None. | From USD $80,000 – $160,000 per year (category dependent). |
| Family inclusion | Yes (under select tiers). | Yes. |
| Tax incentives | None. | Flat 17% PIT for skilled professionals. |
| Purpose | Lifestyle and travel convenience. | Investment, work, or relocation. |
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