Safe way to apply for Thailand Elite Visa

[3STTW]

I've heard that there are a lot of shysters gaming the TH Elite visa program. What is the safe way of applying and paying for the visa?

[ukrules]

Contact them directly through the official website and email them, this completely removes any agents from the process.

 

I did it this way with both my first and second 5 year memberships, no problems at all.

 

Official Website : thailandelite.com

Email : [email protected]

Edited June 15, 2020 by ukrules

[3STTW]

Thanks ukrules, that was the reassurance I was looking for.  

[Scott]

Troll post reported and removed.  

 

[Berti]

Are there fraudsters on the market?

 

On the official site there is a list of agents. These should be trustworthy??

https://www.thailandelite.com/agents?locate=en

[ubonjoe]

29 minutes ago, Berti said:

Are there fraudsters on the market?

Yes and a few unofficial websites.

29 minutes ago, Berti said:

On the official site there is a list of agents. These should be trustworthy??

Yes

But sometimes they slow thing down a little.

[KaputtAlreadyNa]

Where are you located?  On the official site,  there are a number of official agents, they should be trusted one. Going through an agent gives you some extras but you SHOULD pay the same amount as the official site, and you get less hassle as they will do all the paperwork for you.  

If you want to inbox me,  maybe I can help. 

Warmest 

[ukrules]

You don't need an agent.

 

Send an email to TE letting them know which membership plan you want.

They will email some documents back which you need to print out, fill in and scan back into the computer.

You then make scans of the relevant pages in your passport.

Email it all back to them for approval.

 

Once approved they ask for the payment, if it's not approved for some reason then you pay nothing.

 

After payment is completed you will get a 'welcome email' at which point you can decide on how to get your visa inserted into your passport.

 

If you're in the country already then that can be done at Chaeng Wattana immigration, maybe other offices too but they will be able to confirm that.

 

Having the visa inserted at the airport by appointment on arrival (they meet you as you walk off the plane at the gate) is also an option, when the airports are open.

 

[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, KaputtAlreadyNa said:

Where are you located?  On the official site,  there are a number of official agents, they should be trusted one. Going through an agent gives you some extras but you SHOULD pay the same amount as the official site, and you get less hassle as they will do all the paperwork for you.  

If you want to inbox me,  maybe I can help. 

Warmest 

What 'extras' would an agent provide?

 

IMO: ONLY go through the official Website. https://www.thailandelite.com

 

The official website has a list of Agents, but I don't know why they would ever do so. Surely going direct is the best for all concerned.

[Berti]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

You don't need an agent.

 

Send an email to TE letting them know which membership plan you want.

They will email some documents back which you need to print out, fill in and scan back into the computer.

You then make scans of the relevant pages in your passport.

Email it all back to them for approval.

 

Once approved they ask for the payment, if it's not approved for some reason then you pay nothing.

 

After payment is completed you will get a 'welcome email' at which point you can decide on how to get your visa inserted into your passport.

 

If you're in the country already then that can be done at Chaeng Wattana immigration, maybe other offices too but they will be able to confirm that.

 

Having the visa inserted at the airport by appointment on arrival (they meet you as you walk off the plane at the gate) is also an option, when the airports are open.

 

Thank you.

 

Are there any talks if Elite Visa holders will be able to enter Thailand earlier or at the same time than holders of retirement and/or marriage visas?

 

I'm not married (yet) and not retired. So this would be my only option.

 

[BritTim]

30 minutes ago, Berti said:

Are there any talks if Elite Visa holders will be able to enter Thailand earlier or at the same time than holders of retirement and/or marriage visas?

Family members of Thais and Permanent Residents will get priority. Quite likely, Thailand Elite and retirement visa holders will be allowed back at about the same time.

[ukrules]

I haven't heard anything about TE holders who are outside Thailand being allowed back in yet, I'm sure they will send an email out if that happens.

 

They're doing 6 month extensions to memberships so I would kind of expect about 6 months of interrupted service.

[Berti]

31 minutes ago, ukrules said:

I haven't heard anything about TE holders who are outside Thailand being allowed back in yet, I'm sure they will send an email out if that happens.

 

They're doing 6 month extensions to memberships so I would kind of expect about 6 months of interrupted service.

3 months already used from April, so October. ????

 

[KaputtAlreadyNa]

What 'extras' would an agent provide?

 

IMO: ONLY go through the official Website. https://www.thailandelite.com

 

The official website has a list of Agents, but I don't know why they would ever do so. Surely going direct is the best for all concerned.

 

What "extras" ....

They do twice TM30

They give free Accident Insurance 

They give discount for some resort and restaurants (these are different from those offered by Elite) 

etc. 

The question you should ask an agent (if you are going with an Official  agent is " why should I do it with you instead of directly) the reason is that they get paid from Elite if they could bring in customers. 

Thanks

Warmest

[Kelsall]

3 hours ago, KaputtAlreadyNa said:

What 'extras' would an agent provide?

 

IMO: ONLY go through the official Website. https://www.thailandelite.com

 

The official website has a list of Agents, but I don't know why they would ever do so. Surely going direct is the best for all concerned.

 

What "extras" ....

They do twice TM30

They give free Accident Insurance 

They give discount for some resort and restaurants (these are different from those offered by Elite) 

etc. 

The question you should ask an agent (if you are going with an Official  agent is " why should I do it with you instead of directly) the reason is that they get paid from Elite if they could bring in customers. 

Thanks

Warmest

Star Visa, an authorized TE agent in Chiang Mai, filled out all the forms, took my picture, and submitted the application.  They also offered to fly me free of charge to Bangkok with one of their employees who would accompany me to CW to get the sticker.  I opted instead to exit Thailand and reenter at CNX where they had one of their representatives and an IO to meet me.  Sent me a pic of the IO so I would recognize him. After I got the sticker and went through Immigration, their rep got my luggage, took it to the taxi stand and stayed there until I was inside the taxi.  All of this was at no extra charge to me.  I don't like doing administrative work so I'm glad I went with them.  Free is free.