galt67

A friend just flew in from TPE to BKK, and NO issues, questions, etc.

8 hours ago, Why Me said:

I agree it doesn't make sense for once/twice a year tourists unless they are silly rich and like to be pampered in and out of the country. However, as a way to stay hassle free long-term it's good.

 

Firstly, no IO issues as I believe Elite takes care of things if you are in Bkk, just drop off your passport. No mandatory health insurance worries as it's a glorified tourist visa. Ok, if they require some kind of insurance fee of all tourists then that would apply, but no way could that be a big deal. (Not that I am advocating staying here without insurance but that stupid OP requirement screws up the situation. Otherwise, a good cover is affordable and a must).

 

And it's actually 50k/year not 100k with the 20 year Elite. That's 137b/day, about the same as a Starbucks habit. Downside: money's gone pfft.

 

 

 

+1

This is the 'financial calculation' (NOT incuding non-financial ones ) that myself and two others I know went the 20 year/1mB route.

42 minutes ago, William Osborne said:

Why would they question you and what questions were they asking ?.....surely that defeats the whole purpose of the elite visa ????????

 

Unless you are conducting business inside Thailand...there is no issue.

 

 

+1

Myself and other farangs I know, with TEs,  have been through BKK multiple times over the past few years.

We've NEVER been asked ANY questions. NONE.

Perhaps this is happening at CNX? Or some other airport?

47 minutes ago, Tuvoc said:

 

Well, those people have more limited options available to them for sure, which makes Elite attractive to them. But for older and/or married people for whom money isn't an issue, it is a good way of reducing the red tape associated with long term stay in Thailand.

+1

Myself and two friends, all over 50 yo, have the 20 year TE (happily).

Further, I've discussed it with several other farangs (50+) and some are considering it as well.

To us, the money is secondary to the 'savings' in time, dignity, and piece of mind.

Thai Imm does classify them as 'tourist' visas thus have ZERO ongoing financial and/or insurance requirements as 'long-stay' visas.

3 hours ago, Anythingleft? said:

Good service
Now running at about 7000 members so they say, they want more but need to expand their staff to keep up with daily service demands

No complaints from me so far.....



Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
 

+1

The 'service is consistently excellent.

And NOW over 8300 members a TE rep told me at BKK last week.

An Aussie guy that I know just got his last week at BKK.

Start to finish, less than one month.

BTW, he's 67 y/o and tired of dealing with TI.

10 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

I applied for a 20-year visa last week. The rep said it may take up to 3-month for approval. I used my Antigua passport. I am in Singapore right now. I don't have visa free-entry into Thailand. Can I apply for tourist visa in Singapore and enter Thailand? I want to open a bank account in Thailand. This will be my first visit to Thailand

1

RE: Thai Bank Account

After receiving your TE Visa,  the TE staff will arrange an appointment for you (by request) to open an account with Bangkok Branch.

Yes, I did it, and it was very smooth.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

True that, but that isn't really exactly proof that a card you buy today will actually still be honored in the same way, visa-wise, in 20 years. What I'm getting at is there isn't any zero risk tactic, here or anywhere, maybe here more so considering the history of changes with other aspects of the visa system. 

 

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm considering a 5 year one myself. Only that people shouldn't kid themselves to believing that it's a risk free purchase. 

 

Also, it's completely impossible to quantify that risk. It can only be a guess. That is for people that accept there is some level of risk, even if very tiny. 

1

Yes, there IS a 'risk.'

And I have been warned multiple times, by multiple people, over the past 20 years about the 'risks' of traveling to Thailand, EG., coups, SARs, bird flu, tsunami, airport closure, etc.

Perhaps better for some to NEVER leave their home country, avoid ALL visa 'risks', and pretend they're leading 'risk-free lives.'

22 hours ago, MartinBKK said:

There are many factors to consider when deciding if it's right for you.

+1

Amazing how many become 'emotional' with ridicule and anger about anyone choosing a TE visa.

Jealousy (envy), perhaps?

And regarding 90-day reports, TE does the report for you in CM, Pattaya, Phuket, BKK.

As another commenter stated, clearly, the EASIEST solution is a 'Thai Elite Visa.'

5 year, 500kBht

20 year, 1M/Bht

No age restrictions nor income qualifications. Clean and straight forward.

I was coming here for 17 years, about 40 trips, PRIOR to getting a TE Visa.

The number of 'overstays': ZERO

And IF I had one, I certainly would 'know it.'

Surely a person 'remembers' that they had an overstay or not?

20 minutes ago, vogie said:

Last year it took me 3 visits to satisfy their requirements on the pictures at Jomptian, it seems to get more difficult year by year. Have to go again next month, not an experience I am looking forward to.

1

This is why getting a ThaiElite visa, despite being 50+, is a worthwhile alternative.

3 hours ago, mrfaroukh said:

You can use your own logic. Put 800 000 in bank and get the visa annually and when you don't need the visa anymore take your money and leave against paying 500 000 for 5 years visa and if you still want to stay in Thailand after 5 years pay another 500 000.

 

So which one do you think is better???

Better idea:

Buy a 20-year visa for 1M.

Typical farang retiree is approximately 60 y/o thus gets life-long, hassle-free stay here. No more Thai Imm reg changes, etc.

On 2/4/2019 at 6:58 AM, sirineou said:

1m/bht invested at 6% for 20 years would return 3,207,135

 

You're assuming:

1) Guaranteed, compounding, 6% for 20 years. GL with that. Past performance of ANY investment is not a prediction of future returns.

2) The BHT does NOT continue to strengthen.

It's up against all the majors in the past 15 years thus TE Visa increases in cost.

3) Most importantly, non-monetary 'piece of mind.'

For ME, and evidently some other farangs, we enjoy NOT having to hassle with Thai Imm regs annually.

I suspect MANY farangs would go the TE route IF they could 'afford' it.

3 minutes ago, Date Masamune said:

Why should she fly somewhere every 90 days when Thailand elite is 1 year stay? A fake story perhaps?

1

Incorrect.

TEs are 5-year or 20-year visas but still require 90-report IF in country.

5 hours ago, DrTuner said:

It's 100k/y, the PE visa you get when you join the Elite program, minimum 5 years so coughing up 500k will get you 5y. It's what they are progressing towards. More honest, but grossly overpriced. 

The 20-year version is 50k/year (1M/Bth) thus a better 'value.'

And ZERO headaches.

On 12/13/2018 at 7:45 AM, gk10002000 said:

Yes 90 day reporting still has to be done, but Elite Visa says they will handle that for you if you live in certain cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, maybe Pattaya also.  And one has to still get the extension to stay every year for the current 1900  baht price.  I believe that is in the fine print and often overlooked.   So one still has to deal with a one year extension just as other people do. 

Regarding 90-day reporting, TE will do it (free of charge) by dropping off your passport at their designated visa agents.

The service is available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket.

It works flawlessly from my experience.

16 hours ago, julot said:

Sounds good! Any experiences with:

- driver license and international driver permit? 

- chinese visa and other embassies that usually only allow non-immigrant visas holders to apply?

- certificate of tax residence and annual tax return (for those spending 180+ days per calendar year)

 

Regarding a 'driver license', I received one at Chonburi a few months ago with my TE visa.

Two-year license, NOT five year, and a TE person will accompany (free of charge) if requested at the DL office.

5 hours ago, aledale said:

Hi, I'm akso thinking to apply for the 5 years elite visa, but I'm 44 years old. Can i really get another 1 year extension if i go out and back before the expiration? So does the elite visa work like te metv?

The TE does 'extend' one, single, year (12 months) when entering thus should, as the commenter stated, provide nearly 6 years on a TE five-year visa if entering just prior to its expiration.

10 hours ago, Myran said:

I believe they can only do the 90 day reports for you if you stay in Bangkok.

Free of charge, TE does the 90-day report in:

Bangkok

Pattaya

Phuket

Pattaya

Drop off your passport at their designated agent, and retrieve it a day or two later.

Excellent service IME.