Elite visa thumbs up experience

[robblok]

I have had an elite visa for quite some time. Because they have no agents in nothaburi I always had to do it myself. Usually cost me more then half a day in waiting and stuff.

 

Now that I moved to Thong lor I am now able to use their services for the extension. Today I went there only had to bring my passport a picture and my tm30. 

 

Saw an immigration officer for 5 minutes was ushered in front of all lines. Was out in less then 45 minutes. 

 

They must grease some palms to be able to go in front of others. Well worth it.

 

Not saying the elite visa is worth it (IMHO only worth it if not married and under 50). Anyway this was a smooth and happy extension. 

 

Before in Nonthaburi they seemed to even make an elite visa a slow process. 

 

Now I hope that online 90 days reporting will work too as that would save me some time too in future.

[Caldera]

Truly elite would be if they did a home visit and stamped your passport for another year at your residence.

 

Oh wait, then people would complain about immigration home visits.

 

Joking aside, great to hear that it went smoothly!

 

[Pilotman]

23 hours ago, robblok said:

Not saying the elite visa is worth it (IMHO only worth it if not married and under 50)

glad you added that bit.  If you are over 50 and /or have a Thai family, it's a massive rip off. I suppose if you are well healed you could do it, but I wouldn't get an Elite Visa  if I  had millions of $.   I hate being ripped off over anything. 

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

glad you added that bit.  If you are over 50 and /or have a Thai family, it's a massive rip off. I suppose if you are well healed you could do it, but I wouldn't get an Elite Visa  if I  had millions of $.   I hate being ripped off over anything. 

Not sure why anyone not 50 of married to a Thai would do it. Then its a rip off better then to contact an agent and make the process smooth. 

[BKKTRAVELER]

To the OP, while I wads under Elite visa I always did my 1 year extension alone. Every time I went to CW, I politely asked the lady at the appropriate counter if it was the place for my Elite extension. They always let me cut in line and it was all done in a matter of minutes with a smile before I waited for my passport back. All I needed were all the right documents.

 

My point is, you can do it alone next time with the same level of service in case Elite asks you to pay 1,500B for their services to escort you (they do it for free just first or first 2 times as I recall).

[Kelsall]

On 12/8/2020 at 12:23 PM, robblok said:

I have had an elite visa for quite some time. Because they have no agents in nothaburi I always had to do it myself. Usually cost me more then half a day in waiting and stuff.

 

Now that I moved to Thong lor I am now able to use their services for the extension. Today I went there only had to bring my passport a picture and my tm30. 

 

Saw an immigration officer for 5 minutes was ushered in front of all lines. Was out in less then 45 minutes. 

 

They must grease some palms to be able to go in front of others. Well worth it.

 

Not saying the elite visa is worth it (IMHO only worth it if not married and under 50). Anyway this was a smooth and happy extension. 

 

Before in Nonthaburi they seemed to even make an elite visa a slow process. 

 

Now I hope that online 90 days reporting will work too as that would save me some time too in future.

So no form to fill out??

Edited December 9, 2020 by Kelsall

[robblok]

3 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

So no form to fill out??

Was done by the lady of the elite visa. 

[robblok]

33 minutes ago, BKKTRAVELER said:

To the OP, while I wads under Elite visa I always did my 1 year extension alone. Every time I went to CW, I politely asked the lady at the appropriate counter if it was the place for my Elite extension. They always let me cut in line and it was all done in a matter of minutes with a smile before I waited for my passport back. All I needed were all the right documents.

 

My point is, you can do it alone next time with the same level of service in case Elite asks you to pay 1,500B for their services to escort you (they do it for free just first or first 2 times as I recall).

Nice to know, it did not work that way in Nothaburi always wasted a full day. 

[Kelsall]

2 hours ago, Pilotman said:

glad you added that bit.  If you are over 50 and /or have a Thai family, it's a massive rip off. I suppose if you are well healed you could do it, but I wouldn't get an Elite Visa  if I  had millions of $.   I hate being ripped off over anything. 

 

1 hour ago, robblok said:

Not sure why anyone not 50 of married to a Thai would do it. Then its a rip off better then to contact an agent and make the process smooth. 

If one is over 50, has the money, has approximately 20 years left to live, and doesn't want to deal with bureaucracy, the 20 year 1M THB Elite Superior Extension is worth it.

Edited December 9, 2020 by Kelsall

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Kelsall said:

 

If one is over 50, has the money, and doesn't want to deal with bureaucracy, it's worth it.

But at 50 if you have the money in a Thai bank and you hire an agent just to escort you then it would be the same as the elite visa ?. I mean agents always help eliminate the hassle and if you take an agent while you have 800k in the bank its easy.

 

That is my opinion. I had a marriage visa for years (extension based on marriage). But was always a hassle always new documents needed. Always frustrating. I got divorced so it was no longer possible. But I would take the hassle over the cost of elite visa.

 

Anyway I am happy to have one as it makes it for an under 50 to live here.

[Kelsall]

55 minutes ago, robblok said:

But at 50 if you have the money in a Thai bank and you hire an agent just to escort you then it would be the same as the elite visa ?. I mean agents always help eliminate the hassle and if you take an agent while you have 800k in the bank its easy.

 

That is my opinion. I had a marriage visa for years (extension based on marriage). But was always a hassle always new documents needed. Always frustrating. I got divorced so it was no longer possible. But I would take the hassle over the cost of elite visa.

 

Anyway I am happy to have one as it makes it for an under 50 to live here.

I should have added "if you travel in and out of Thailand more than once a year". With an extension based on retirement, one needs to be in the country at the same time each year for renewal. Also, for US cittizens, there is an FBAR reporting requirement for the bank account that goes away when you give the money to Thailand elite LOL.  If it's your last 1M baht, though, no way.

 

Edited December 9, 2020 by Kelsall

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, Pilotman said:

glad you added that bit.  If you are over 50 and /or have a Thai family, it's a massive rip off. I suppose if you are well healed you could do it, but I wouldn't get an Elite Visa  if I  had millions of $.   I hate being ripped off over anything. 

Give me the choice of either an Elite OR getting married to a Thai lady I may choose the cheaper option........

[Pravda]

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Give me the choice of either an Elite OR getting married to a Thai lady I may choose the cheaper option........

Up to you

[Pilotman]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Give me the choice of either an Elite OR getting married to a Thai lady I may choose the cheaper option........

Which is? You get a lot more joy and loving out of a Thai wife, or indeed any loving wife, than you can from a stamp in a passport, that continually drains you of dosh. 

Edited December 10, 2020 by Pilotman

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Which is? You get a lot more joy and loving out of a Thai wife, or indeed any loving wife, than you can from a stamp in a passport, that continually drains you of dosh. 

Kinda like to leave that open to interpretation.... which one continually drains you of dosh?

[Pilotman]

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Kinda like to leave that open to interpretation.... which one continually drains you of dosh?

we have joint accounts and she has inputted a great deal over the years, so not sure who is draining who in that situation?   In terms of the Elite visa, to me, it's money down the drain, just to avoid  the small inconveniences of a regular O visa, that can be largely over come by using a reputable agent. .  Sorry, but I just don't get the attraction, unless of course you are under 50 and not married to a Thai, then I can see that it would work, kind of.  

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Sorry, but I just don't get the attraction, unless of course you are under 50 and not married to a Thai, then I can see that it would work, kind of.  

Personally I feel the requirements to obtain a Marriage extension go beyond what I am comfortable with and are demeaning. I am over 50, cannot un-ring that bell,  so it will never be an issue unless things change. I am also a pedant about going through a Thai style wedding, and have no desire, out-dated concept. 

My current partner (long term) is not in a position to contribute financially, not her fault. She is fine but family maybe best at arms length. Elite looks like a fall back plan.... or agent help. 

[Pilotman]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Personally I feel the requirements to obtain a Marriage extension go beyond what I am comfortable with and are demeaning. I am over 50, cannot un-ring that bell,  so it will never be an issue unless things change. I am also a pedant about going through a Thai style wedding, and have no desire, out-dated concept. 

My current partner (long term) is not in a position to contribute financially, not her fault. She is fine but family maybe best at arms length. Elite looks like a fall back plan.... or agent help. 

fair enough, its not for everyone, marriage to a Thai lady, or an Elite Visa.  Personal choice, as always. .