My positive experience with Thai Elite Visa

[ukrules]

12 minutes ago, Travelanimal said:

Does the 20 year visa fee is also supposed to be paid at once or  have a option of monthly/yearly basis?

It's a single one off payment.

[cyberfarang]

From experience of staying in Thailand for several years, I have learned never to take on anything long term as they can move the goal posts and change the rules at any time. Nothing here is guaranteed, and prefer to pay as I go rather than pay for anything long term upfront, even if paying over a period costs me more and also taking into consideration that as foreigners, we have no civil rights and no comes backs in Thailand.

 

I too can easily afford a Thai Elite visa, but like to play it safe, prefer the money in my hands under my control.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

From experience of staying in Thailand for several years, I have learned never to take on anything long term as they can move the goal posts and change the rules at any time. Nothing here is guaranteed, and prefer to pay as I go rather than pay for anything long term upfront, even if paying over a period costs me more and also taking into consideration that as foreigners, we have no civil rights and no comes backs in Thailand.

 

I too can easily afford a Thai Elite visa, but like to play it safe, prefer the money in my hands under my control.

A fair point. But, how much did your car depreciate this year?

 

 

[richard_smith237]

On 9/10/2018 at 6:49 PM, garyk said:

On 9/10/2018 at 11:46 AM, richard_smith237 said:

How can you abandon a Visa?... 

 

The only way I could see this as being possible is that someone purchases the T.E. Visa for their first entry and never returns to Thailand.... 10-1 you didn't really think your comment though. 

 

 

In other words you don't have a clue!

6000 x 30,000 US dollars is 180,000,000. Immigration is laughing all the way to the bank. 

 

 

OK... so I don't have a clue.... Please help me understand your point. 

 

You bet 10-1 that 100's of people bought this service and then abandoned the Visa.... How do you abandon a Visa?... 

 

US$180 million from 6000 Thai Elite Memberships (lets assume your numbers are good for the sake of hypothesis), a percentage of which goes to Immigration - Yes... a good earner... 

 

But whats your point?

 

[ukrules]

23 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

From experience of staying in Thailand for several years, I have learned never to take on anything long term as they can move the goal posts and change the rules at any time. Nothing here is guaranteed, and prefer to pay as I go rather than pay for anything long term upfront, even if paying over a period costs me more and also taking into consideration that as foreigners, we have no civil rights and no comes backs in Thailand.

 

I too can easily afford a Thai Elite visa, but like to play it safe, prefer the money in my hands under my control.

For the paranoid there's the 5 year option for 500k Baht, they insert a 5 year visa into your passport when you join, once you have the visa you're good.

 

There's no need to ever speak to them again unless you lose your passport.

 

[cyberfarang]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

For the paranoid there's the 5 year option for 500k Baht, they insert a 5 year visa into your passport when you join, once you have the visa you're good.

 

There's no need to ever speak to them again unless you lose your passport.

 

That`s 100000 baht per year, instead of 1900 baht per year for applying annually. That`s almost 53 times the going yearly rate.

 

Are you seriously recommending this?

[ukrules]

38 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

That`s 100000 baht per year, instead of 1900 baht per year for applying annually. That`s almost 53 times the going yearly rate.

 

Are you seriously recommending this?

 

Well it works out just fine for me, then again I'm under 50 and this is the only real option without doing things I don't want to do.

 

I don't want to do anything, literally nothing. I'm not getting married, I'm definitely not going to be getting a job and I'm not starting a company which are the main other options for visas if you're under the age of 50.

 

I pretty much assumed you're also of a similar age and were considering this visa instead of just trolling about the price.

 

[cyberfarang]

16 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Well it works out just fine for me, then again I'm under 50 and this is the only real option without doing things I don't want to do.

 

I don't want to do anything, literally nothing. I'm not getting married, I'm definitely not going to be getting a job and I'm not starting a company which are the main other options for visas if you're under the age of 50.

 

I pretty much assumed you're also of a similar age and were considering this visa instead of just trolling about the price.

 

You say; "I don't want to do anything, literally nothing. I'm not getting married, I'm definitely not going to be getting a job and I'm not starting a company which are the main other options for visas if you're under the age of 50".

 

You have 500000 baht for a visa, not working, so you claim, then how do you intend to support yourself in Thailand for the duration of a 5 year visa? Without cash flow the visa is useless.

 

 

[ukrules]

18 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

You say; "I don't want to do anything, literally nothing. I'm not getting married, I'm definitely not going to be getting a job and I'm not starting a company which are the main other options for visas if you're under the age of 50".

 

You have 500000 baht for a visa, not working, so you claim, then how do you intend to support yourself in Thailand for the duration of a 5 year visa? Without cash flow the visa is useless.

 

But according to Siam Legal, you dont qualify anyway:

 

Qualifications

• Application is open to these nationalities: Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and United States. 
• Applicant must be 50 years of age or over
• Must meet ONE of the financial requirements
  • Security deposit of 3 million Baht in a Thai Bank Account for 12 months prior to the visa application.
  • Combination of Monthly income or pension of at least THB 100,000. An affidavit from the foreign embassy or consulate has to be obtained as proof of the income. And security deposit in a Thai bank not less than THB 1.8 million for at least 12 months prior to the visa application.
• Other documents that may be required to be presented:
  • Health Insurance
  • Police Clearance
  • Medical Certificate

 

That's not for the TE visa, you're looking at the requirements for something quite different (the new 10 year retirement visa) in the above post.

 

I'm very familiar with all of the applicable visa options for me. I exceed any requirements and have one of the most comprehensive insurance policies available, this alone costs more than the visa on a yearly basis. For the TE there are hardly any requirements anyway.

 

I'm not starting a company, getting a job, etc in Thailand because I have a very reasonable income source and a significant investment outside of Thailand already.

 

I've already got this visa, I've had it for the last 4 years, when I'm discussing this now it's with a view to renewing it on expiry...because it's just that good ?

 

I went with the 500k 5 year version last time but I'm thinking about the 20 year one next time around because it's 4 times the visa for only double the price.

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

You say; "I don't want to do anything, literally nothing. I'm not getting married, I'm definitely not going to be getting a job and I'm not starting a company which are the main other options for visas if you're under the age of 50".  

You have 500000 baht for a visa, not working, so you claim, then how do you intend to support yourself in Thailand for the duration of a 5 year visa? Without cash flow the visa is useless.

 

 

 

No imagination. Some people are already minted. Some people aren’t 50 yet but like Thailand, possibly own condos or have homes.

They make more money working outside of Thailand and fly in once or more times a month.

Working here they would get a fraction they earn abroad and a Thai wife is just a ball and chain.

 

The visa is useful as it isn’t any fun being denied entry at Swampy after a 3-6 week work block and a long flight for “coming too many times”.

 

[cyberfarang]

29 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

That's not for the TE visa, you're looking at the requirements for something quite different (the new 10 year retirement visa) in the above post.

 

I'm very familiar with all of the applicable visa options for me. I exceed any requirements and have one of the most comprehensive insurance policies available, this alone costs more than the visa on a yearly basis. For the TE there are hardly any requirements anyway.

 

I'm not starting a company, getting a job, etc in Thailand because I have a very reasonable income source and a significant investment outside of Thailand already.

 

I've already got this visa, I've had it for the last 4 years, when I'm discussing this now it's with a view to renewing it on expiry...because it's just that good ?

 

I went with the 500k 5 year version last time but I'm thinking about the 20 year one next time around because it's 4 times the visa for only double the price.

 

I realised that you are under 50, saw my error and edited my post, but too late.

 

Understanding you are under 50, is probably your best option for those that can afford it. I am over 50 and could afford an Elite visa, but in my case cannot see any benefits. As I said, prefer to pay as I go.

[Ratt Thai]

7 hours ago, Travelanimal said:

Does the 20 year visa fee is also supposed to be paid at once or  have a option of monthly/yearly basis?

https://www.thailandelite.com/at-your-service/card/elite-superiority-extension-membership?locate=en

 

The fee is to be payed in full, before starting /getting your membership

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

That`s 100000 baht per year, instead of 1900 baht per year for applying annually. That`s almost 53 times the going yearly rate.

 

Are you seriously recommending this?

Your approach and financial numbers make the following assumptions:

1. You never leave the country during your residence in Thailand.
2. The 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank account or income letter from your embassy cost you nothing
3. The time you spend getting together some (admittedly not very complicated) documentation to support retirement extensions has no value to you.
4. You will always wish to be in Thailand in the same month your retirement extension requires renewal. If in any year you plan to be in another country at that time, significant inconvenience is involved in getting a new Non Immigrant visa, and then extending it.

Most who are financially secure and not working will be making foreign trips where limos and VIP lines at immigration, combined with the convenience of not needing re-entry permits, are far from worthless. The multiple entry 5-year visa gives you a lot of flexibility. Further, it is difficult in a status conscious country like Thailand, to put a value on the attitude towards you by the authorities of a stamp in your passport identifying you as a person of means.

 

The decision between retirement extensions and Thailand Elite depends on your individual perspective. There is no right or wrong answer.

[richard_smith237]

On 9/13/2018 at 10:04 AM, BritTim said:

Your approach and financial numbers make the following assumptions:

1. You never leave the country during your residence in Thailand.
2. The 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank account or income letter from your embassy cost you nothing
3. The time you spend getting together some (admittedly not very complicated) documentation to support retirement extensions has no value to you.
4. You will always wish to be in Thailand in the same month your retirement extension requires renewal. If in any year you plan to be in another country at that time, significant inconvenience is involved in getting a new Non Immigrant visa, and then extending it.

Most who are financially secure and not working will be making foreign trips where limos and VIP lines at immigration, combined with the convenience of not needing re-entry permits, are far from worthless. The multiple entry 5-year visa gives you a lot of flexibility. Further, it is difficult in a status conscious country like Thailand, to put a value on the attitude towards you by the authorities of a stamp in your passport identifying you as a person of means.

 

The decision between retirement extensions and Thailand Elite depends on your individual perspective. There is no right or wrong answer.

 

Indeed.... there is an added convenience of value not measured monetarily.

 

With 16 entries and exits this year the Airport transfers, Expedited transit through immigration etc into a lounge makes things extremely convenient. As does the lack of concern for any potential questioning or immigration hassle upon return.

 

Then there was last year when I didn't travel for 8 months, but I had no visa issues whatsoever (only 90 day reports to think about). 

 

Too young for a retirement Visa... the Type O Visa (through Marriage) is my only option, but not available to me when I purchased Thai Elite membership as a single male in his early 30's.

 

 

With certainty the Thai Elite Membership is not for everyone, many will not see advantage when the other options such as Retirement Visa are the better option for them. But for many, the convenience and service provided by Thai Elite is well worth it and for others one of few remaining viable options. 

 

Lets face it with the exception of Working here and having a Work Permit and accompanying extension of stay the Visa Provided with Thai Elite Membership IS the best Visa option available to everyone - the only debate is the cost vs value and that is something quite individual. 

 

 

[Ratt Thai]

update on the topic;

 

today i came back from a roundtrip Saigon, one night out, to activate my TE visa.

 

Thai Elite staff waiting on the gate with my name on a sign, went with electric car straight to the VIP arrival , Immigration to affix the stamp, same entry as diplomats and other VIPs, 

Then to the stamp in desk, VIP desk, after that to the lounge for a coffee and received a "goody bag" from Thai Elite.

I had no lugage to pick up , that is in the service to.
after my coffee, they escorted me thru custom arrivals to the parkinglot and waied goodbye...

 

Overall a "Red Carpet" treatment, Staff excellent on English skills, utmost polite... a wow experience.

 

I attached a picture with blurred personel data, added text to clarify. Notice the memberships experience date, i don't think it can be stretched out to 21 years...

 

Color goldisch

 

If anybody has doubt if doing or not is the question, for me, the service is great and top class, thumbs up from me...