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Immigrants from different parts of the world have chosen Thailand long time ago: Chinese, British, Japanese, Russians and Americans with families and children are moving to Thailand. Local resorts are popular among freelancers: if you work remotely anyway, it's more pleasant to have the sea and palm trees nearby.
It is very easy to enter the country for a month, it most of the cases you need to put a stamp in a passport right at the airport. It is also easy to get a tourist visa and stay up to 90 days, just enough to wait in a warm land for unfriendly winters to pass. But those who plan to stay abroad for a long time need a different status of a long-term visa, residence permit or permanent residence.
Blending in is not easy in Thailand: you will need to start a company, get a job or marry a local resident. This is why many people try to cheat the law. They leave the country for a day or two to renew their visa or get a fictitious student visa (which forces them to attend courses and pay for tuition that is not necessary).
However, immigration services have long learned these techniques: violators are caught, and then fines, expulsion from the country, black lists… And it's not a good idea to run away from the authorities. Moreover, about half of the foreigners permanently residing in Thailand are retired.
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In fact, you can stay in Thailand on a completely legal basis, not only without additional hassle, but also with pleasure. Since 2003, the country has had a one-of-a-kind Thailand Elite Program, created under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand. This is not just legalizing your stay in the Kingdom, but also a whole range of privileges designed for VIP guests of the country.
The most important thing is that the program participant can live in Thailand for as long as they need.Travelling in and out every other day, without requesting separate documents. The maximum period of stay is specified in the package type and starts from 5 years (there are also packages for 10 and 20 years), but there are no obligations to stay in the country for a minimum time.
The conditions are ideal for those who have business in Thailand and regularly come to the Kingdom. In addition to the main option (a long-term visa), they will receive VIP-class services for travelers and businessmen: airport transfer, assistance in preparing documents, assistance in communicating with government agencies.
The program is interesting for those people who plan to live in the country for a long time, for example, to spend not only the winter, but also the entire cold season. First of all, these are pensioners and families with children, and "digital nomads" or wealthy people who have retired.
Thailand Elite will be a good way out for foreigners who have been living in the Kingdom for a long time and are looking for a way to continue to stay legally. These are expats, as well as employees of foreign companies whose contract has expired or other conditions have changed.
Comfortable tax conditions apply to program participants. You can choose the appropriate status (resident or non-resident) and plan your stay in the country in accordance with it. Each option has its own advantages.
If your income comes from abroad, it is more profitable to remain a non-resident of Thailand. Foreign income of non-residents is exempt from tax, if it is not transferred to Thailand in the same year as it was received. If you have a source of income in Thailand, such as real estate for rent, it may be more profitable to become a resident and get a local TIN. Residents are those who spend more than 180 days in the country per year. Upon request, they are issued certificates confirming their tax status in Thailand.
Thailand Elite provides VIP service and takes care of the hassle that travelers usually face.
Airport
All participants get access to VIP waiting rooms, as well as accelerated passport control and limousine transfer from the airport. All this will be provided by your personal assistant.
Concierge service
A 24-hour concierge service is available during your stay in Thailand. You will be able to arrange paperwork for the immigration service, resolve legal issues, open a bank account, get a driver's license or insurance, make business contacts, and even find a job.
Discounts
Special conditions are waiting for you in the best restaurants, hotels, shops in Thailand. Golf games, Spa treatments, a full medical check-up, and many other pleasant activities can be arranged.
Medicine
Thailand is famous for medicine and rightly considers it its advantage. In 2019, the Thai health system was ranked sixth in the world by the Ceoworld magazine. Long-term Thailand Elite visa holders are eligible for discounts at medical facilities.
At the end of April 2020, when Thailand has justbegan to feel the effect of declining tourist flow from China, the government made a proposal to the Ministry of Tourism and the agency responsible for implementing the Thailand Elite program to create a new option for participation, namely a long-term visa that would include a full examination for COVID-19, as well as a significant medical package in Thailand.
The details are currently being discussed, but it is already clear that the main feature of this option will be medical care and the opportunity to be examined for the risks of chronic diseases at an early stage by using both traditional medicine and ultramodern methods of diagnosis and treatment.
The Thailand Elite program offers seven participation packages, but three of them are most popular: for travelers, for families and for business people.
| Packages | Elite Easy Access | Elite Family Excursion | Elite Superiority Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| For whom | Expats, businessmen, travellers | Families of 2 or more | Businessmen and investors |
| Duration of validity | 5 years | 5 years | 20 years |
| Admission fee | 500,000 THB (≈$16,000) | 800,000 THB (≈$25,000) for 2 people | 1,000,000 THB (≈32,000) |
| Fee for an additional family member | Not provided | 300,000 THB | Not provided |
| Annual payment | Not provided | Not provided | Not provided |
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In recent years, the program has expanded significantly and already has more than 8,6 thousand participants. In 2020, their number is expected to exceed up to 10 thousand. Despite the possibility of visa-free entry, the number of British and French applicants has increased by 75% and 73% respectively over the past three years, while the number of Japanese applicants has increased by 2,5 times.
In 2019, 2,149 people applied for a visa. Most of them are citizens of China, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and France, but Russians also remain active participants (39 applicants in 2017, 50 in 2018, and 50 from January to September 2019). Interest from applicants from Russia and the former Soviet Union is growing every year, as the conditions and advantages of Thailand Elite become clear.
The Henley & Partners international company, which has become its official global concessionaire since 2017, is engaged in selecting the best option and issuing the Thailand Elite visa.
It is easy to become a member of the program: you will need a minimum of documents, and most of the process takes place online. That is, everything is done here for the maximum comfort of the applicant.
The entire process takes about four months from the date of application. The investor and their family members receive a residence permit together with the Thailand Elite card at the international airports of Thailand during their first visit to the country.
Learn more about:
The Rules of Buying Real Estate in Thailand for Foreigners
Property Expenses in Thailand
