Issuing the Thailand Elite Visa in Thailand

[FalangTingTong]

Hello Forum!

 

I'm leaving soon and will be outside Thailand for 2-3 months, during which time my Non-O retirement extension will expire.  I'm considering a 5-year Elite Visa for when I return.

 

According to this agent's site, the current process is very problematic for us travelling types: you're supposed to get the final approval by post, then drop your passport at your local Thai embassy for however long they want to keep it.

 

https://thaielitevisa-his.com/how2apply/

 

It seems like it must be possible to do the application and send the payment while abroad, then come back to Thailand on Visa Exempt and get the visa affixed to my passport at Immigration here.

 

Has anyone done that, and have any advice on it?

 

Thanks!

 

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, FalangTingTong said:

Has anyone done that, and have any advice on it

Wait for PE visa expert.

A friend applied etc from outside of Thailand and was greeted on arrival at airport by elite staff,  where his PE visa sticker was placed in his pp.

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by DrJack54

[FalangTingTong]

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Wait for PE visa expert.

A friend applied etc from outside of Thailand and was greeted on arrival at airport by elite staff,  where his PE visa sticker was placed in his pp.

 

I thought they had stopped doing that because of the Covid protocols, is it now back on?

 

That would of course be my preferred way of getting the visa.

[ukrules]

4 hours ago, FalangTingTong said:

I thought they had stopped doing that because of the Covid protocols, is it now back on?

 

That would of course be my preferred way of getting the visa.

Email them directly and find out for sure, there's no need to use an agent - [email protected]

 

Or fill out the online form here : https://thailandelite.com/contact-us?locate=en

 

 

 

[Resident Alien]

Official statement from Thailand Elite:

 

Thailand Elite Visa Affixation
For all our new members who recently join Thailand Elite Membership program, it is strongly recommended that you affix Thailand Elite Visa at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) upon your international arrival flight, as it is the most convenient way to affix Thailand Elite Visa now.

Please be informed of the following conditions.

1.A reservation for visa affixation at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) must be made through [email protected] no less than 5 working days in advance prior to your international flight’s arrival date.
2.Member must travel to Thailand using the passport that is stated in the Visa Affixation Service Confirmation Letter issued by Thailand Privilege Card Co. Ltd.
3.The service is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) only. If member is traveling to Thailand through other airports, member must have a proper visa to enter Thailand.
 

[Resident Alien]

FAQS - Thailand Elite Official website

[nascondilo]

I am having an Elite Visa. It is a pretty straight and fast forward process. I recommend to sign up directly with Elite Visa and not to use any agent. They will guide you through the process. 

[Doctor Tom]

1 minute ago, nascondilo said:

I am having an Elite Visa. It is a pretty straight and fast forward process. I recommend to sign up directly with Elite Visa and not to use any agent. They will guide you through the process. 

Elite Visa, the biggest scam in Thailand. A total waste of money in my view. 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Elite Visa, the biggest scam in Thailand. A total waste of money in my view. 

Glad you got that off your chest.

For unmarried and long way from 50 it's a perfect fit imo.

[Ohyesuare]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Glad you got that off your chest.

For unmarried and long way from 50 it's a perfect fit imo.

Yup there was literally no other option for me but the Elite Visa. I've been here since 2019 on covid extensions and a non-ED so even doing a visa run wasn't a guarantee I could keep staying here which I pretty much consider my home now. Just waiting for them to confirm my appointment to have the sticker affixed, already paid and have my member ID.

 

@FalangTingTongyou can apply and pay abroad and get the visa sticker at BKK as others have said and there's no benefit to using an agent except earning someone else an easy 5% commission or whatever it currently is. If you prefer to arrive on an exempt and you've already been approved but haven't made payment until you get here, you can get the sticker affixed at Chaeng Wattana in Bangkok. I also got an extra 3 months validity because of the COVID situation they said.

[Tropposurfer]

18 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Wait for PE visa expert.

A friend applied etc from outside of Thailand and was greeted on arrival at airport by elite staff,  where his PE visa sticker was placed in his pp.

 

This was my process and experience as well (I applied in Australia for mine) aged 64.

Process wasn't difficult in my opinion, usual paperwork ... from decades of travelling and all sorts of visa's (and application some decades ago for my UK passport (eligible through my dear ol' dad) no different to any other really.

I was met by Thai Elite uniformed concierge at the plane door, carry on bag handled for me, escorted via golf cart to Immigration First Class and processed in a few minutes.

Stamps installed in passport .. All checked, then shown and explained to me by Elite.

Escorted to baggage and out to my limo by Elite. Contacted the next day by Elite to enquire as to my processing and concierge service, and did I need anything.

In the last 2 and a bit years they have always been wonderful and very helpful. The ease of travel with multiple entry and exits a year makes movement a breeze.

IO always treat me with courtesy and now even welcome me back, which is somewhat different to the standard blank faces I used to see at airport IO desk before the Elite.

 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

This was my process and experience as well (I applied in Australia for mine) aged 64.

Process wasn't difficult in my opinion, usual paperwork ... from decades of travelling and all sorts of visa's (and application some decades ago for my UK passport (eligible through my dear ol' dad) no different to any other really.

I was met by Thai Elite uniformed concierge at the plane door, carry on bag handled for me, escorted via golf cart to Immigration First Class and processed in a few minutes.

Stamps installed in passport .. All checked, then shown and explained to me by Elite.

Escorted to baggage and out to my limo by Elite. Contacted the next day by Elite to enquire as to my processing and concierge service, and did I need anything.

In the last 2 and a bit years they have always been wonderful and very helpful. The ease of travel with multiple entry and exits a year makes movement a breeze.

IO always treat me with courtesy and now even welcome me back, which is somewhat different to the standard blank faces I used to see at airport IO desk before the Elite.

 

And why wouldn't you if dosh isn't an issue. 

Slightly surprised you did it at 64 with retirement extensions an option.....but again why not.

 

We all do what suits us and for sure if I would grab a 20yr version if my age paired with that. 

[FalangTingTong]

Thanks everyone!  I’m aware of the cost-benefit calculations, for me it makes sense if my cash arrives in time.

[BeerAttractedPerson]

It's super easy whether in Thailand when applying or outside. They are very professional and specific about documents needed ( all via email) takes about a week for them to do checks on you and then you pay. Get your sticker affixed in Suvarnabhumi when you land or at main immigration office at Chang Wattana if already in the country. Go for the 5 year one first, it can be extended for another 15 years for just 400k if you apply before initial 5 years expire.

[Resident Alien]

UPDATE April 11:

Thailand Elite Visa Affixation at Phuket Airport

          Visa affixation service at Suvarnabhumi Airport has been resumed earlier, and we are pleased to inform you that new members who recently join Thailand Elite Membership program can also affix Thailand Elite Visa at Phuket Airport (HKT) upon your international arrival flight.

...

if you are unable to affix Thailand Elite Visa upon your international arrival flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport or Phuket Airport, you can request to affix Thailand Elite Visa at the Immigration Bureau (Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office) in Bangkok.

...

Please be reminded that you will be unable to affix Thailand Elite Visa at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok if you overstay or have an overstay record