TE Elite Visa Feedback

[julot]

I am changing provinces and moving to Chiang Mai and considering purchasing Elite visa (20-year for 1M).

I would much appreciate hearing from CM's TE visa holders on following topics (elite bashers/haters stay away :)

a) Driver License renewal: I am holding a 2-year DL, would I be able to get a 5-year renewal in CM?

b) International Driver License: anyone able to get it in CM? 

c) Certificate of Residence from Immigration: anyone able to get it from immigration in CM while on TE?

d) 90-day report: anyone able to do it online while in CM? PS: I am aware they can be done free of charge with StarVisa with dropoff/pickup service but why bother if it can be done online?

e) TM30: I assume these are not needed (yet) for TE renewal or 90 day report in CM. Correct?

f) CM Airport: if flying international, anyone able to use immigration fast-track and departure lounges at CM airport?

 

Edited December 29, 2018 by julot

[clokwise]

I can answer some of your questions:

 

a) Same here. I was finally able to get 5 year bike and car license with my 5-year TE visa, no questions asked, just got it.

d) Never had success with online reporting, may not be related to TE visa though, seems a lot of people here have issues. Never used StarVisa, I didn't know that was an option for TE holders.

e) TM30 is definitely required, but seems is only enforced when you need a 90 day report later. If I know I will be leaving Thailand within 90 days, I don't bother to get it and have never had a problem (unless I ended up not leaving in 90 days!). YMMV

f) Departure lounge is available for TE holders, nothing to get excited about though. The fast track immigration is hit and miss, thanks now to the hoards of Chinese who are unable to queue in the proper queues, and the non-existent enforcement of those queue jumpers. Last time leaving, I had to ask my TE guide to aggressively push through the crowd on my behalf to get me inside the immigration area, if I hadn't asked she seemed willing to just let me queue for half an hour or more with the rest of them. On returning, it frankly would have been far faster to get in the Thai National queue than the specific TE queue, as that one was full of clueless Chinese. The fast track immigration works much better at BKK, but due to heavy volume of people, plus all the Bus/1st class passengers who get a free fast pass, it's usually still very crowded, but way better than the normal queues at least.

 

 

 

[Rimmer]

An off topic post and reply have been removed

[rickthailand]

B) if you have a thai drivers license you will get the international one nothing to do wit  TE visa

C) no problem getting residency letter with TE visa

E) everyone has to do a TM30

[lordblackader]

3 hours ago, rickthailand said:

B) if you have a thai drivers license you will get the international one nothing to do wit  TE visa

C) no problem getting residency letter with TE visa

E) everyone has to do a TM30

B- you have to have a permanent five year Thai drivers license to get an IDP.

 

Perhaps with the exception of the TE (per comments above), to get a five year license after the two year temporary license everyone starts on you have to have a Non-Imm visa. 

[toolpush]

Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. themselves told me that as the Elite Visa is a tourist visa, you can only renew for two years (Officially). However, I have heard that most offices that issue driver licenses will renew for 5 years on an Elite Visa.

[scotty4243]

descc71 Dont forget if you leave and renter Thailand before the expiration of the 5 year visa you will get another year added taking the potential 5 years out to a possible 6!

[jackdd]

On 12/29/2018 at 11:45 AM, julot said:

a) Driver License renewal: I am holding a 2-year DL, would I be able to get a 5-year renewal in CM?

b) International Driver License: anyone able to get it in CM? 

a) Depends on the person in the DLT. Thai elite is considered a tourist visa and the official rule is only a two year driving license for people on a tourist visa, but maybe you are lucky and they give you a 5 years license

b) If you get a 5 year driving license you can get an IDP

 

1 hour ago, descc71 said:

Can you recommend a visa specialist. I am on a Thai Elite visa which runs out in 2020, a year and 2 months before my 50th birthday so I have this 1 year 2 month gap that I need to find a way to stay in Thailand before I can apply for my retirement visa. Many thanks in advance 

If you make a visa run (or get an extension if this should be possible with the dates) just before your Thai elite visa expires you get a permit to stay for another year (they will of course not do 90 day reports for you anymore). You can get a re entry permit in case you have to leave Thailand within this year. Then after this year you can make a visa run to get a visa exempt or tourist visa to cover the remaining time before you can get the retirement visa.

Edited December 30, 2018 by jackdd

[metisdead]

Some off topic posts have been removed. 

[aledale]

I know it's of topic, but can someone suggest me the real thai elite visa website? And where can i read about 20 years for 1 million thb? Because i red it's 2 million. Thanks for the help

[AAArdvark]

[AAArdvark]

Can a TE visa be applied for in either the home country or in Thailand?

 

How long is the process?

[rickthailand]

15 hours ago, jackdd said:

a) Depends on the person in the DLT. Thai elite is considered a tourist visa and the official rule is only a two year driving license for people on a tourist visa, but maybe you are lucky and they give you a 5 years license

b) If you get a 5 year driving license you can get an IDP

 

If you make a visa run (or get an extension if this should be possible with the dates) just before your Thai elite visa expires you get a permit to stay for another year (they will of course not do 90 day reports for you anymore). You can get a re entry permit in case you have to leave Thailand within this year. Then after this year you can make a visa run to get a visa exempt or tourist visa to cover the remaining time before you can get the retirement visa.

so if you get an 6th year just before your te visa expires you can get a reentry permit to keep that year valid?

 

rick

[Lacessit]

I am wondering if Elite visa holders will be affected by the proposed requirement for all long-term visa holders to have Thai health insurance. Until the situation is clarified, I would hold off committing to a visa which could end up being worthless.

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

the proposed requirement for all long-term visa holders to have Thai health insurance

There is no such proposed requirement, so i wouldn't really worry about that Elite visa holders have to get one. Other than that i think having health insurance is sensible, if it's a proper one

 

1 hour ago, rickthailand said:

so if you get an 6th year just before your te visa expires you can get a reentry permit to keep that year valid?

I didn't personally try it, but i'm quite sure that you can, yes

[Trujillo]

One of the banes in retiring here is the valueless 90-day reporting. Unfortunately, even ponying up a million baht (US$30,750) does not spare you this annoyance: 

"Members have to do 90-day reporting of address every 3 months of continuous stay.

The process is as follows:

Drop passport with a completed TM47 form at our office from 09.00 – 15.00 every Tuesday.
EPL staff will take the passport with TM47 form to the immigration office on Wednesday.
Passport can be collected at the office on Thursday from 09.00-15.00."

 

So actually, you have to make TWO trips to the immigration office for the 90-day report, whereas we plebeians can get it done on the spot. 

[julot]

 

34 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

So actually, you have to make TWO trips to the immigration office for the 90-day report, whereas we plebeians can get it done on the spot. 

that's not true. you still have the same options as others, do it yourself in person at immigration (same day), or send it by mail or try it online. Affitionally, Elite provides free service for drop off/pick up at an agent (not immigration) in downtown CM but I agree, I do not see any much value here unless living nearby.

 

[Trujillo]

I don't want to "bash" the elite (I am "elite," just not on that visa ???? ), but what is the motivation for giving over 30K USD to the government so you can have a few perks? Extending your visa every year isn't a ball-breaker, really. It's not like an annual root canal. I guess every five years would be nicer, but at the cost? 

 

You could fund an orphanage for a few years with a million baht. 

 

I mean, I could afford an elite visa package, but the benefits (limo service from the airport? I have a limo [looks like an SUV, though] at the airport to take me privately home and it costs me 250 baht) don't justify the cost. A health check-up costs under US$100 at Lanna Hospital (and they do a good job, too).  A discount on some spa treatments and golf? If you are elite, you don't worry about green fees....

 

I'm just curious what the fundamental reason is to pay what I think anyone would say is an astronomical cost for very little return. 

[AAArdvark]

2 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

I don't want to "bash" the elite (I am "elite," just not on that visa ???? ), but what is the motivation for giving over 30K USD to the government so you can have a few perks? Extending your visa every year isn't a ball-breaker, really. It's not like an annual root canal. I guess every five years would be nicer, but at the cost? 

 

You could fund an orphanage for a few years with a million baht. 

 

I mean, I could afford an elite visa package, but the benefits (limo service from the airport? I have a limo [looks like an SUV, though] at the airport to take me privately home and it costs me 250 baht) don't justify the cost. A health check-up costs under US$100 at Lanna Hospital (and they do a good job, too).  A discount on some spa treatments and golf? If you are elite, you don't worry about green fees....

 

I'm just curious what the fundamental reason is to pay what I think anyone would say is an astronomical cost for very little return. 

If it is just you and for 5 years it is 500K not a million.  There is no proof of income required.  Also, you don't have to keep 800K in a Thai bank for at least 3 months every year.  The perks, such as they are, are really not a consideration.  Some people just prefer to live a hassle free life or as close to it as possible and if they have the money, why not.  

[BigT73]

8 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

I'm just curious what the fundamental reason is to pay what I think anyone would say is an astronomical cost for very little return

A good reason is for under 50's who aren't married and are financially secure.  Back to back tourist visas /ED visas are getting harder and harder to get.

[AAArdvark]

8 minutes ago, BigT73 said:

A good reason is for under 50's who aren't married and are financially secure.  Back to back tourist visas /ED visas are getting harder and harder to get.

I thought that if you suffered from ED you didn't get a visa.  You got a little blue pill.

[Trujillo]

"Also, you don't have to keep 800K in a Thai bank for at least 3 months every year."

 

But for the well-heeled expat, that's peanuts. It really doesn't make any difference at all. I keep mine in there all year 'round, every year. Collect the interest annually and never think about it. 

 

I was basing the one million on what the OP posted initially. That was his figure, not mine. ("...considering purchasing Elite visa (20-year for 1M).")

 

Obviously, it's the OP's money and he can do what he wants, but five years' worth of extensions costs 9,500 baht. Is only having to appear to extend every five years worth 1,000,000 baht? (That's 200,000 baht a year.) Or even 500,000 baht? (100,000 baht a year.)

Pay 1,900 baht or 100,000 baht (equivalent)? 

 

And let's be clear; that's the crux here. The rest of the perks are more or less meaningless (particularly for the wealthy). 

[julot]

7 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

I'm just curious what the fundamental reason is to pay what I think anyone would say is an astronomical cost for very little return.

Ok. I have reported these posts before as off-topic but they keep coming back ???? so I will try to answer this once for all:

- someone who cannot access non-immigrant visa (no thai kids, wife and below 50) and who would like to stay in TH long-term   

- someone who is tired of dealing with non-immigrant 1 year extension and new requirements coming up every year (witnesses for marriage, financial for retirement... and wait.. there will be more..)

- someone who works offshore and cannot plan to be in Thailand for the extension period (especially marriage visa with 1-month consideration). 

- someone who wants simply hassle-free guaranteed visa for next 5/20+ years. high position in government likely going to stay a long time and they clearly are interested in quality tourists and residents, and I expect they will make it harder and harder for low-income residents to stay (already did with new financial requirements, talks of health insurance ongoing..). Thailand is developing, the cost of living will keep going up. Financial requirements will increase and I assume elite fees might too.  Having a long-term visa will give many a peace of mind.

- someone who travels often on business trip (especially from bangkok) and would appreciate the use of limo rides, departure/arrival lounges, and fast track lanes.

 

Personally, I am married to a Thai wife but for many of the reasons above (below 50, offshore work, financially secure, in Thailand 2-4 months max at a time, cannot plan marriage extension dates, tired of changing requirements) I am considering getting an elite visa in a few months. In 20 years, I won't be working anymore and leaving TH so often, so if the retirement visa is still around and easy to renew, I will use it instead. 

 

While 50K THB/year (1M for 20y visa) may seem an outrageous amount for some. For others, it may be a small amount that gives long-term hassle-free visa and peace of mind, and may be well a good "investment". 

 

[Brunolem]

3 hours ago, julot said:

Ok. I have reported these posts before as off-topic but they keep coming back ???? so I will try to answer this once for all:

- someone who cannot access non-immigrant visa (no thai kids, wife and below 50) and who would like to stay in TH long-term   

- someone who is tired of dealing with non-immigrant 1 year extension and new requirements coming up every year (witnesses for marriage, financial for retirement... and wait.. there will be more..)

 

I selected just a short passage, but I agree with everything posted above. 

 

The most important, I think, is that once you have a 10 or 20 year visa, you are not subject anymore to the constant visa policy changes that are a local trademark... not to mention the whims of IOs who may or may not accept you or your request, for mysterious reasons. 

 

It is not because you have, say a retirement visa this year, that you will be able to have one 3 years from now... who knows? 

 

Having a long term visa is also worth it when you have invested in the country, like buying a nice house or condo for example... before spending 5 or 10 millions in a home, you prefer to be sure that you will be able to enjoy it. 

 

Until recently, it was never a problem, but things are changing, and not for the better if you happen to not be a Chinese... 

[Trujillo]

"It is not because you have, say a retirement visa this year, that you will be able to have one 3 years from now... who knows?"

 

Fearmongerer.

I've had a retirement visa for 10 years here. NOTHING has changed for me. Can you give some examples of people who had a retirement visa and rules changed such that they no longer can have that? 

What are you expecting might happen in three years? 

[Dante99]

17 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Having a long term visa is also worth it when you have invested in the country, like buying a nice house or condo for example... before spending 5 or 10 millions in a home, you prefer to be sure that you will be able to enjoy it. 

TE Elite visa permits you to buy a house? You in your name?

[Trujillo]

Quote

"TE Elite visa permits you to buy a house? You in your name?"

 

Nope. 

[LivinLOS]

On 12/31/2018 at 10:56 AM, Trujillo said:

I don't want to "bash" the elite (I am "elite," just not on that visa ???? ), but what is the motivation for giving over 30K USD to the government so you can have a few perks? Extending your visa every year isn't a ball-breaker, really. It's not like an annual root canal. I guess every five years would be nicer, but at the cost? 

 

And how do you propose under 50s without a Thai wife do an annual extension ?? 

The elite visa is the perfect fit for those HNW early retirees. 

[AAArdvark]

On 12/31/2018 at 9:22 PM, Dante99 said:

TE Elite visa permits you to buy a house? You in your name?

No, but you can buy this particular condo and get a free 20 year visa:

 

https://www.thai-elite.com/free-visa.html

[CNXexpat]

20 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

No, but you can buy this particular condo and get a free 20 year visa:

 

https://www.thai-elite.com/free-visa.html

Bad deal. At your link the cheapest 1 or 2 bedroom condos are more than 1MB more expensive than here https://www.thailand-property.com/condo/7404/southpoint-pattaya  By example you pay with the visa 10.3MB for the cheapest 2 bedroom condo but only 8.8MB when you buy it without visa. So you waste 0.5MB when the visa is worth 1MB.

Edited January 7, 2019 by CNXexpat