The Jonnie Thailand Elite Card Program

[jonniebkk]

I have often posted on the pros and cons of the Thailand Elite Card program. At one time late last year, I seriously considered purchasing a membership as I fall into the category of expatriates who are still too spry to qualify for a retirement visa (about 10 years to go on that one), don't really want to invest in some business just to secure a visa/extensions, and do not feel that marriage is in the cards for now. I had gone so far as to contact an official representative of the Elite Card and request an application and supporting documentation. However, during my review and consideration period, they increased the price from B 1M to B 1.5M. (I had been warned this was afoot by the distributor and if I wanted the old price I had to act quickly.) Not one to make rash decisions, I chose to take my time and when the price hike came into effect, I felt that at the increased price, it didn't make sense financially anymore. It did make some sense at B 1M, however. I only wanted a visa to "reside" in LOS and not work...basically be an early retiree. I don't even mind having to make visa runs every 3-4 months as long as I can secure a visa.

As everyone knows, that is just about impossible to get locally these days. And anything one does get is only a single entry, necessitating endless treks to another embassy/consulate city every quarter in the hopes of securing another visa (getting less likely as time goes on). I did finally bite the bullet and return home for some business and to get a new visa from a "home country" consulate. Due to some unique personal circumstances, I was kindly granted a 1-Year Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant "O" Class Visa...YES!!! [Don't bother to ask or PM me as to what these circumstances are as I will not divulge any information on it.] This I obtained from one of the consular offices here Stateside.

This is a visa with unlimited entries/exits for a year (which I could, with extensions, stretch out to 15 months). I also have complete freedom to travel in/out anytime I want and don't have to schedule my life around my visa expiry dates nor do I have to bother with re-entry permits because the number of entried over the year is unlimited. I no longer have the issue of "burning" a visa or buying a re-entry permit if I want to go out of the country again relatively soon after entering.

Now, the "Elite" part of my program is to combine this visa with the Thai Longstay Management program's Ruby membership card. With this card, you basically pay B 1500 for fast-track immigration services at the almost always crowded Swampy airport. Basically, you're paying for VIP service. They meet and greet you in/out and escort you through the diplomatic channel for passport control. I think they will also retrieve your checked-luggage if you want. It is not exactly clear on their website, but I am assuming it's B 1500 per round-trip (in and out) and not one-way. I would have to do a minimum of 3 visa trips per year so the cost for a year's worth of in/outs would be B 4500 ($ 141.00). If I wanted, I could also just do border runs at B 2000 each time too but I like to travel so flying out of country 3 times a year is not a problem.

So now, my own personal "Elite" card program cost has gone from a potential B 1.5M ($ 47,000) to B 4512 ($ 141.00). Am I a happy person or what Even factoring the annual airfare home and a 1 week hotel stay to get a new visa, which I estimate at around $ 3000, I'm coming out way ahead.

With all the tales of woe that get posted here, I just thought is a good to post some good news too, and to show that where there's a will...there's a way

Edited May 15, 2008 by jonniebkk

[EmptyMind]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

[jonniebkk]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

Yes...every 90 or 120 days (if you do an extension). It's just like any other non-immigrant visa. What is a little unusual about mine is that there is no fixed number of entries for which it is valid, e.g., 2 entries only. These unlimited entry visas are very hard to get now days from most consulates so that is what makes it unusual.

[jstumbo]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

Yes...every 90 or 120 days (if you do an extension). It's just like any other non-immigrant visa. What is a little unusual about mine is that there is no fixed number of entries for which it is valid, e.g., 2 entries only. These unlimited entry visas are very hard to get now days from most consulates so that is what makes it unusual.

A multi O is a standard type of visa, but yes, many consulates do not like to give them. Especially if you are not married to a Thai.

You can get them pretty easily in the UK at the Hull consulate though.

Multi B visas are pretty easy in the US. Much easier than trying to get one in the local area.

In your costs, you also forgot to add in the 1900 baht every 90 days for an extension of stay while remaining in the country using the Thai Elite card.

[lopburi3]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

Yes...every 90 or 120 days (if you do an extension). It's just like any other non-immigrant visa. What is a little unusual about mine is that there is no fixed number of entries for which it is valid, e.g., 2 entries only. These unlimited entry visas are very hard to get now days from most consulates so that is what makes it unusual.

Tourist visa entry of 30/60 days is extend able for 30 days. Not non immigrant 90 day visa entry.

[Ray1167]

OP - I'm sorry but I fail to see your point . Non immigrant O multiple entry visas are easy to get . What's new here ?

[sweetchariot]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

Yes...every 90 or 120 days (if you do an extension). It's just like any other non-immigrant visa. What is a little unusual about mine is that there is no fixed number of entries for which it is valid, e.g., 2 entries only. These unlimited entry visas are very hard to get now days from most consulates so that is what makes it unusual.

You will only get a 7 day extension at your local immigration these days for 1900 baht, not really worth bothering with unless it's an emergency.

Also don't forget that with this visa you can re-enter a day or two before expiry, and get another 90 day stamp, extending the visa length to 15 months.

This is obviously a new thing for you Jonnie, and I am glad you are excited, but the majority of my friends are here on the same visa. I am on my 3rd consecutive one.

[Pattaya46]

Non immigrant O multiple entry visas are easy to get .

Where ? Yes maybe in Hull and some places in the USA,

but in most others consulates it's a big NO if your are not married to a Thai lady or not "old" enough.

Please tell me that I am wrong...

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Non immigrant O multiple entry visas are easy to get .

Where ? Yes maybe in Hull and some places in the USA,

but in most others consulates it's a big NO if your are not married to a Thai lady or not "old" enough.

Please tell me that I am wrong...

Basically you are right on the button.

[jonniebkk]

Non immigrant O multiple entry visas are easy to get .

Where ? Yes maybe in Hull and some places in the USA,

but in most others consulates it's a big NO if your are not married to a Thai lady or not "old" enough.

Please tell me that I am wrong...

That has basically been my prior experience too. Apparently, the Hull consulate gives out visas like candy to children but everywhere else, you have to be married or over 50 like you say to get a unrestricted entry visa like the one I received. Non-imm visas of various categories are not hard to get but the number of entries is generally limited tot between 1-3 entries before another visa will be required.

Previously, I thought non-imm visas were extendable 30 days. I guess the rules have changed again. In that case, it's 4 visa runs a year instead of 3 to anyplace I want to go. That's allot better than traipsing to Penang every 3 months for another tourist visa and the possibility of being red-stamped

[lopburi3]

A non immigrant visa entry is extend able for one year if you meet the conditions (employment/family/education/etc) but they have never been extend able for 30 days.

Non immigrant visas are issued as single or multi (unlimited one year) in almost all cases. It is a very rare event to find them issued for 2 or 3 entries.

[Sunny Valentine]

A non immigrant visa entry is extend able for one year if you meet the conditions (employment/family/education/etc) but they have never been extend able for 30 days.

Non immigrant visas are issued as single or multi (unlimited one year) in almost all cases. It is a very rare event to find them issued for 2 or 3 entries.

In summer of 2004 I arrived in Thailand on a two entry Non-B Visa, issued at the Thai Embassy in my home Country. They denied me a Multiple 1 Year, but gave me 2 entries. I extended the first entry at Pattaya Immigration for 30 days, did a Visa run, and went to Pattaya Immigration for another extension at the end of the second leg. This time they told me they can only extend 10 days on the spot, and I should return after that to possibly receive another extension. I told them 10 days is all I need, as I had a ticket out 8 or 9 days later, so they stamped me with 10 Days, after that I got a new Visa abroad.

Sunny

[lopburi3]

Pattaya was known for non standard extension of stay procedures. Today no office grants more than a 7 day extension in such a case and most offices previously would not allow more than 15 days.

[naka]

I really cannot understand why anyone would put a premium on

being assisted through an airport ... It's surely not that difficult,

unless you are an invalid and are travelling alone !

Naka.

[simcity]

I was kindly granted a 1-Year Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant "O" Class Visa...YES!!! [Don't bother to ask or PM me as to what these circumstances are as I will not divulge any information on it.]

It is a easy visa to get, if you have a friendly consulate and financial to back you up..

i have been on it the last 5 years after the run of 3 * 3 entries from one other counsulate start to show problems.

yes, need to do a visa run every 90 days

Edited May 16, 2008 by simcity

[simcity]

Do you have to leave every 90 days with that type of visa ?

Yes...every 90 or 120 days (if you do an extension). It's just like any other non-immigrant visa. What is a little unusual about mine is that there is no fixed number of entries for which it is valid, e.g., 2 entries only. These unlimited entry visas are very hard to get now days from most consulates so that is what makes it unusual.

a extension was not possible on this visa the last time i ask ( 12 months ago )

[jonniebkk]

I really cannot understand why anyone would put a premium on

being assisted through an airport ...

To avoid the 45 minute wait in line at passport control maybe...especially if you have a flight departing in the morning. It's allot cheaper than buying a First Class ticket.

[Maestro]

It is a easy visa to get, if you have a friendly consulate and financial to back you up...

Are you getting yours at a Thai consulate in the USA?

--

Maestro

[jstumbo]

It's surely not that difficult,

unless you are an invalid and are travelling alone !

And in that case they would meet you at the airplane with a wheelchair and escort you through for free.

[simcity]

It is a easy visa to get, if you have a friendly consulate and financial to back you up...

Are you getting yours at a Thai consulate in the USA?

--

Maestro

No, did not!

Done a search and the word friendly / consulate / USA return a blank !

Sound like a lovely place….

Was it a mention of the place in the Opp post ?

[zorro1]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included. I just pay for a Limo to meet me at airport and a cutie in the back with cold champagne make that warm Chang but I only drink for effect anyway..

[jonniebkk]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included.

Yes, you kangaroos are lucky with that APEC businessman's visa program. The US, being a semi-fascist security state, has not seen fit to ratify the relevant APEC agreements so, though it is a member of APEC, it doesn't participate in the easy visa entry scheme you are referring to.

[Tomkagai]

I really cannot understand why anyone would put a premium on

being assisted through an airport ...

To avoid the 45 minute wait in line at passport control maybe...especially if you have a flight departing in the morning. It's allot cheaper than buying a First Class ticket.

Definite big maybe.....in and out the airport all the time and never waited 45 minutes...10 minutes avg...

Suspect this premium thing is just an ego trip for some people... ...feel they are superior to us "peasants" waiting in line....

[tropo]

Due to some unique personal circumstances, I was kindly granted a 1-Year Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant "O" Class Visa...YES!!! [Don't bother to ask or PM me as to what these circumstances are as I will not divulge any information on it.] This I obtained from one of the consular offices here Stateside.

Due to the fact that you will not divulge any information to help others obtain this 1-year multiple entry "O" class visa, this post amounts to nothing more than a useless brag-fest.

How is your secretive visa plan good news for anyone but yourself?

//Edit: fixed quote. Instead of quoting the entire post it is better to quote only the text passage being replied to.

Edited May 17, 2008 by Maestro

[midas]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included.

Yes, you kangaroos are lucky with that APEC businessman's visa program. The US, being a semi-fascist security state, has not seen fit to ratify the relevant APEC agreements so, though it is a member of APEC, it doesn't participate in the easy visa entry scheme you are referring to.

No but I think you will find USA and Russia are both scheduled to join

the scheme in time. Meanwhile we still dont need visas for the USA

( visa waiver programme ) and card holders are allowed to use the

Flight Crew channels for passport processing so I still think it would be

a faster process than before.

[jonniebkk]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included.

The US, being a semi-fascist security state, has not seen fit to ratify the relevant APEC agreements so, though it is a member of APEC, it doesn't participate in the easy visa entry scheme you are referring to.

No but I think you will find USA and Russia are both scheduled to join

the scheme in time.

That would be nice but I don't think the US will ever join the visa scheme...due to the fact that most of the APEC members are not visa exempt for travel to America. For security reasons, it's highly unlikely America would ever join a program that allows citizens of these countries visa free travel to America. Australians and New Zealanders, I imagine, are visa exempt so they don't need to use an APEC card for entry...don't know if they can use the diplomatic channels at US passport control as US does not take part in the visa scheme.

[onzestan]

Suspect this premium thing is just an ego trip for some people... ...feel they are superior to us "peasants" waiting in line....

If you could have it for free, would you accept it?

For some people it's a small price to pay I guess for others not.

Check reviews on Suvarnabhumi Airport and you may find that the biggest complaint people have is long lines at immigration.

cheers

onzestan

[midas]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included.

The US, being a semi-fascist security state, has not seen fit to ratify the relevant APEC agreements so, though it is a member of APEC, it doesn't participate in the easy visa entry scheme you are referring to.

No but I think you will find USA and Russia are both scheduled to join

the scheme in time.

That would be nice but I don't think the US will ever join the visa scheme...due to the fact that most of the APEC members are not visa exempt for travel to America. For security reasons, it's highly unlikely America would ever join a program that allows citizens of these countries visa free travel to America. Australians and New Zealanders, I imagine, are visa exempt so they don't need to use an APEC card for entry...don't know if they can use the diplomatic channels at US passport control as US does not take part in the visa scheme.

You are incorrect jonniebkk ! I am currently on my second APEC card and i

have kept up to date with the developments...........

It doesnt matter whether APEC member countries are " visa exempt " or not - it

depends on the APEC Card applicant, his or her background etc..

The fact is that the authorities will have carried out enough background checks on you before you are

able to get the APEC card. That s why USA likes the card.

[zorro1]

If your an Ozzie like me your in luck. $250 for An Apec card gives you access to diplomatic/flight crew lanes most of Asia AND 3 years of multi entry 3mth Visa included.

The US, being a semi-fascist security state, has not seen fit to ratify the relevant APEC agreements so, though it is a member of APEC, it doesn't participate in the easy visa entry scheme you are referring to.

No but I think you will find USA and Russia are both scheduled to join

the scheme in time.

That would be nice but I don't think the US will ever join the visa scheme...due to the fact that most of the APEC members are not visa exempt for travel to America. For security reasons, it's highly unlikely America would ever join a program that allows citizens of these countries visa free travel to America. Australians and New Zealanders, I imagine, are visa exempt so they don't need to use an APEC card for entry...don't know if they can use the diplomatic channels at US passport control as US does not take part in the visa scheme.

You are incorrect jonniebkk ! I am currently on my second APEC card and i

have kept up to date with the developments...........

It doesnt matter whether APEC member countries are " visa exempt " or not - it

depends on the APEC Card applicant, his or her background etc..

The fact is that the authorities will have carried out enough background checks on you before you are

able to get the APEC card. That s why USA likes the card.

That makes sense and as you know the background checks are completed by ALL participating nations so its about as good as a green light can get

[jonniebkk]

You are incorrect jonniebkk ! I am currently on my second APEC card and i

have kept up to date with the developments...........

Are you a US citizen with one of these APEC businessman's cards that allows you entry to Thailand, and other APEC countries, visa free entries over a period of years? The last time I researched it (about 1 year ago) the US was not a -participant in the scheme. If that has since changed, I am happy to stand corrected.