Thailand Elite one year extension without leaving the country

[ukrules]

I got my 5 year visa last June and haven't left Thailand at all since then.

I haven't seen any posts by other users of this visa mentioning a one year extension after being here for a year so I thought I'd post this little update.

I suspect most people on this visa will travel somewhere during each year, I was planning a trip abroad but didn't get around to it.

So today I went to get a 1 year extension. Everything went smoothly, I filled out the extension of stay form, the same form you use when extending a tourist visa and applied for a 365 day extension.

This is working out very convenient for me, so far I've avoided two unneccessary trips to Europe to get triple entry visas and three trips out of the country to activate new entries each 90 days.

I'm all set for another year.

Edited June 10, 2015 by ukrules

[JB300]

Very interesting, how much time/money would you estimate you saved by not having to get Tourist's Visas?

[Suradit69]

Interesting. I didn't realize you needed to apply for annual extensions of stay if you were here on that visa.

If you go out and return do you need a re-entry permit?

Purely academic question since I doubt I'd ever use the Elite visa.

Edited June 10, 2015 by Suradit69

[rayongchelsea]

Although it is 5 years it still would be cancelled if you did not get a re- entry visa..

[ukrules]

It works on one year stamps which are issued every time you enter the country or do an extension.

If you don't leave the country at all then you need to extend your current stay by one year at a time as the 'admitted until' date approaches.

With this visa it makes no sense to get a re-entry permit as it's a multiple entry visa with no limit on the number of entries while it's valid, also each entrance gets a fresh 1 year stamp from the day of entrance.

I presume this ends when the membership period ends but that remains to be seen as nobody will have had a membership expire yet.

As for how much money it saves, that would depend on your individual circumstances. But I believe it pays for itself in my case in less than 2 years.

[ukrules]

Although it is 5 years it still would be cancelled if you did not get a re- entry visa..

It's a multi entry visa valid for 5 years. With emphasis on the 'multi entry' bit - that's what makes it unlimited within the 5 year period.

You could leave the country several times a week if you wanted to and you would continue to get a new 1 year stamp every time you arrive over the full membership period of 5 years.

Edited June 10, 2015 by ukrules

[gamini]

It works on one year stamps which are issued every time you enter the country or do an extension.

If you don't leave the country at all then you need to extend your current stay by one year at a time as the 'admitted until' date approaches.

With this visa it makes no sense to get a re-entry permit as it's a multiple entry visa with no limit on the number of entries while it's valid, also each entrance gets a fresh 1 year stamp from the day of entrance.

I presume this ends when the membership period ends but that remains to be seen as nobody will have had a membership expire yet.

As for how much money it saves, that would depend on your individual circumstances. But I believe it pays for itself in my case in less than 2 years.

It seems it is no different from a retirement visa which costs only 1900bt per year

[OJAS]

Not only do TE visa holders need re-entry permits but they also remain subject to the 90-day reporting requirement, according to the notice at the foot of the OP's scan. So much for the proud boast on the TE website (http://www.thailandelite.com/tpc_news_view.php?id=6) that they "can stay in the country like a Thai citizen", then, says the cynic in me!

Are there any Immigration criteria (particularly of a financial nature) that TE visa holders are expected to comply with at annual extension of stay time?

[ukrules]

Not only do TE visa holders need re-entry permits but they also remain subject to the 90-day reporting requirement, according to the notice at the foot of the OP's scan. So much for the proud boast on the TE website (http://www.thailandelite.com/tpc_news_view.php?id=6) that they "can stay in the country like a Thai citizen", then, says the cynic in me!

Are there any Immigration criteria (particularly of a financial nature) that TE visa holders are expected to comply with at annual extension of stay time?

You don't need a re-entry permit on a multiple entry visa because you just get a new stamp each time you return. The stamp they use is the regular extension stamp that they use for everyone. It would be nonsense to get a re-entry permit while using a full multiple entry visa, re-entry permits are for single entry visas.

So if I were to fly out of the country for a couple of days next week I would not go looking for a re-entry permit, I'd just leave and get a fresh 1 year stamp when I return so long as my return date is before the 'Date of expiry' date on my visa.

My visas date of expiry is June 2019 and I can make as many entries as I want before this date, each one of them will allow me to stay for up to 1 year without needing to do an extension. If I decide to stay for longer than a year then I need to get another year added by doing an extension - this is what I did today.

[ukrules]

It works on one year stamps which are issued every time you enter the country or do an extension.

If you don't leave the country at all then you need to extend your current stay by one year at a time as the 'admitted until' date approaches.

With this visa it makes no sense to get a re-entry permit as it's a multiple entry visa with no limit on the number of entries while it's valid, also each entrance gets a fresh 1 year stamp from the day of entrance.

I presume this ends when the membership period ends but that remains to be seen as nobody will have had a membership expire yet.

As for how much money it saves, that would depend on your individual circumstances. But I believe it pays for itself in my case in less than 2 years.

It seems it is no different from a retirement visa which costs only 1900bt per year

I'm 42 years old, that should clear up the difference.

[gerry1011]

It's funny how people who don't know much about Thailand Elite post misleading information about the "necessity of a re-entry permit"...

I am a Thailand Elite member since 2003... and never had the need for a re-entry permit since I enrolled in the program. Actually I don't even know what such a permit looks like.

What I do know is that the Thailand Elite PE visa is the easiest way to stay in Thailand for years (up to 20) without leaving the country... Just great

Of course, most members never extend their one year stamp, because they travel quite much.

And indeed, they can go in and out as often as they can... while receiving a fresh one year stamp each time they come back.

Some may say that being a Thailand Elite member is like living a dream

Edited June 10, 2015 by gerry1011

[HerbalEd]

Although it is 5 years it still would be cancelled if you did not get a re- entry visa..

That's not at all true. The Elite Visa is a multiple entry visa which means you don't need a re-entry permit to re-enter on that same visa. Also, there is no limit to the number of entries that can be made during the 5-year life of the visa.

[HerbalEd]

Where did you get your one-year extension?

My understanding is that you don't personally have to get the one-year extension yourself, and can, instead, have the people at the Elite Visa office do it for you. Do you know if this is true?

What about 90-day reporting? How did you do that? Again, my understanding is that staff at Elite Visa office can do that for you also. Yes/no?

I've only had my Elite Visa for several months, but I LOVE IT! It's one of the best investments I ever made. After many years and countless times of applying for tourist visas, 30-day exemptions, visa extensions, border runs, overstays, queuing for hours, etc., I am so happy not to do any of that anymore.

Edited June 11, 2015 by HerbalEd

[gopis108]

So how much does the elite visa COST please.????

[ubonjoe]

So how much does the elite visa COST please.????

The OP has the easy access membership that costs 500k baht for a 5 year membership.

See: http://www.thailandelite.com/glimpse.php

[NancyL]

If you exit and re-enter just before the visa expires and receive a permission to stay stamp for one year, can you effectively extend the life of the visa to six years, using a re-entry permit to keep that final year's permission to stay alive since your visa would have expired?

Also, has anyone had experience with TE in Chiang Mai? I'm on a retirement visa, but CM Immigration has become such a nightmare, I'm wondering if people with TE status get any special treatment. I suppose I could just hire a visa agent and get the same results. I wouldn't need to have that 800,000 baht tied up, would I? Hmm.... gotta do the math.

Edited June 11, 2015 by NancyL

[Lannathaijohn]

Reply to Nancyl

I am sure your first question will be answered by others

The second point is interesting. I am also on a extension to stay for retirement in Chiang Mai - I make the 90day reporting by mail and the annual extension by appointment at which time I also apply for a multiple exit visa - thus the overcrowding situation at the immigration office has a limited effect on me.

A lady friend has just applied for the Elite visa as she is not yet 50 - she has opted for this after spending 1 year on the Ed visa and is looking forward to the hassle free benefits- she will have to report every 90days( by mail) and if she does not exit in the next year then have an extension made in Bangkok ( Chiang Mai immig. Cannot do this). This is still much easier than the alternatives to her.

However , I am not applying as the baht 500,000 cost every 5 years is far higher than the extension of stay for retirement , even though you need baht 800,000 in a bank account.

John

[Lannathaijohn]

Thanks to ukrules , gerry1011 and Ubonjoe for a clear update ,good information and insight

John

[Tony125]

Reply to Nancyl

I am sure your first question will be answered by others

The second point is interesting. I am also on a extension to stay for retirement in Chiang Mai - I make the 90day reporting by mail and the annual extension by appointment at which time I also apply for a multiple exit visa - thus the overcrowding situation at the immigration office has a limited effect on me.

A lady friend has just applied for the Elite visa as she is not yet 50 - she has opted for this after spending 1 year on the Ed visa and is looking forward to the hassle free benefits- she will have to report every 90days( by mail) and if she does not exit in the next year then have an extension made in Bangkok ( Chiang Mai immig. Cannot do this). This is still much easier than the alternatives to her.

However , I am not applying as the baht 500,000 cost every 5 years is far higher than the extension of stay for retirement , even though you need baht 800,000 in a bank account.

John

I hope you realise that you don't need to have the 800,000 baht in the bank all the time just the 3 months before you renew the visa . Also if you have income of 65,000 baht per month ( from a pension, rental income , lottery winnings , ect ) you don't have to have any money in a bank. You can use a combo method as well say 400,000 in the bank and income of 32,500 baht per month.

[Minnehaha]

I am confused...

What does TE stand for? Thailand Elite?

Is this the old Taksin program that used to cost 1MB or something and was for life, and included golf greens fees (free or discounts) spas, etc. transport to/from airport etc.?

If yes, then according to UbonJoe post there is a 500k option with duration of 5 years. And some users have said that the expiration is not actually enforced?

What does P.E. stand for - as stamped in the visa image by OP?

[ChiangmaiRob]

Reply to Nancyl

I am sure your first question will be answered by others

The second point is interesting. I am also on a extension to stay for retirement in Chiang Mai - I make the 90day reporting by mail and the annual extension by appointment at which time I also apply for a multiple exit visa - thus the overcrowding situation at the immigration office has a limited effect on me.

A lady friend has just applied for the Elite visa as she is not yet 50 - she has opted for this after spending 1 year on the Ed visa and is looking forward to the hassle free benefits- she will have to report every 90days( by mail) and if she does not exit in the next year then have an extension made in Bangkok ( Chiang Mai immig. Cannot do this). This is still much easier than the alternatives to her.

However , I am not applying as the baht 500,000 cost every 5 years is far higher than the extension of stay for retirement , even though you need baht 800,000 in a bank account.

John

I hope you realise that you don't need to have the 800,000 baht in the bank all the time just the 3 months before you renew the visa . Also if you have income of 65,000 baht per month ( from a pension, rental income , lottery winnings , ect ) you don't have to have any money in a bank. You can use a combo method as well say 400,000 in the bank and income of 32,500 baht per month.

Yes, and the money is always yours and can be withdrawn if you decide to leave the country. Unlike the TE cost of 500K baht, which cannot be recovered.

[NancyL]

Sure, I know the 800,000 baht can be taken out and used, just so you have 800,000 baht in the bank 90 days before you apply for your next extension. Sad to learn you can't apply for your extension in CM -- that you have to go physically go down to Bangkok. Reading the TE website, it implies it can be done in CM.

Did the math and realized a visa agent if definitely the way to go for retired people -- esp. once I read the TE website and realized you don't get the spa and golf bennies with the 500,000 baht package.

[RickBradford]

What does P.E. stand for - as stamped in the visa image by OP?

Privilege Entry.

[HidyHo]

Great post ukrules ...

Per TV norm, the thread is spiraling down...

[gerry1011]

I am confused...

What does TE stand for? Thailand Elite?

Is this the old Taksin program that used to cost 1MB or something and was for life, and included golf greens fees (free or discounts) spas, etc. transport to/from airport etc.?

If yes, then according to UbonJoe post there is a 500k option with duration of 5 years. And some users have said that the expiration is not actually enforced?

What does P.E. stand for - as stamped in the visa image by OP?

To make you less confused

Yes, TE stands for Thailand Elite.

Yes, it is the old "Thaksin program" that many people criticized (only because it was Thaksin who initiated it), even if it is proved to be a great program.

TE helps (financially comfortable) foreigners to easily stay for long periods of time in Thailand, and it allows Thailand to attract and, most importantly, retain quality foreigners who have high(er) spending power.

Over a decade ago the fee was indeed only 1 million baht to become lifetime member.

A bargain, everybody agree on that (I guess).

Today's fee has gone up to 2 million baht for 20 years' membership.

But there is an option to become member for only 5 years. That option is offered for 500,000 baht.

PE stands for Privileged Entry.

The PE visa is a Privilege Entry visa which is valid for 5 years and allows you unlimited entries. It also comes with a 1 year entry stamp, each time you enter the country.

The other privileges indeed include golfing, welcome at the airport, limo transfers, etc...

I don't think I read anywhere that the "expiration is not enforced". Not sure what you mean by that.

As an old time member, since 2003, I can say that this is the best way to stay extended periods of time in Thailand, feel welcome each time you come back in the country, but also eliminate all sorts of immigration hassles... as well as enjoy comfortable stays in the country.

Oh, and I believe that we (the members) should all thank the idea of the Thaksin government of that time, which came up with this program.

Without Thailand Elite I would not have stayed in Thailand. That is for sure!

I am like you guys, I would hate to queue at immigration. But with TE I actually never did queue anywhere since 12 years... I do feel really privileged, certainly when I read the stories on this forum

Edited June 11, 2015 by gerry1011

[gerry1011]

Great post ukrules ...

Per TV norm, the thread is spiraling down...

The down spiral should be taken as an opportunity.

Each post containing misleading information, critic of the program or its members, lies about the program, or baseless surrealistic comments... give an opportunity to informed and knowledgeable posters to come up with real facts.

Many Thailand Elite members share their opinion about the program in this forum. And it is the best advertisement Thailand Elite could dream of

[ronaldo0]

Been here over 7 years and paid nowhere near 500k!!

I'm 41, married to a Thai, don't have marriage visa, had a work permit half the time i have been here, come and go as i please and never had a re-entry permit!!

I don't think i have even spent 250,000 bht in that time in lawyers fees and tax for my house.

[kerrysum]

Sorry, do not know of an elite visa, so what is the point?

[gerry1011]

Been here over 7 years and paid nowhere near 500k!!

I'm 41, married to a Thai, don't have marriage visa, had a work permit half the time i have been here, come and go as i please and never had a re-entry permit!!

I don't think i have even spent 250,000 bht in that time in lawyers fees and tax for my house.

Everybody is happy for you.

You made some great savings there. Good.

However, not everybody needs to save money. Especially when we speak about such small amounts.

Also, not everybody is married. Hopefully I would say

And, most members never had to consider a "work permit". Thailand Elite is not a product aimed at those who still need to work.

Many members are under 50, but many members are above 50. Thailand Elite is about quality of life. It makes life comfortable for young and older people.

I was younger than you when I became a member.

12 years of membership and I can only be thankful to the program for allowing me such easy stays.

Well, in any case, we are all happy that you are happy with your cheaper option and made some savings. Great for you

Believe it or not, I, as a Thailand Elite member, am also very happy.

And I think all other members are happy too.

Happiness. That is what counts.

Edited June 11, 2015 by gerry1011

[ronaldo0]

Been here over 7 years and paid nowhere near 500k!!

I'm 41, married to a Thai, don't have marriage visa, had a work permit half the time i have been here, come and go as i please and never had a re-entry permit!!

I don't think i have even spent 250,000 bht in that time in lawyers fees and tax for my house.

Everybody is happy for you.

You made some great savings there. Good.

However, not everybody needs to save money. Especially when we speak about such small amounts.

Also, not everybody is married. Hopefully I would say

And, most members never had to consider a "work permit". Thailand Elite is not a product aimed at those who still need to work.

Many members are under 50, but many members are above 50. Thailand Elite is about quality of life. It makes life comfortable for young and older people.

I was younger than you when I became a member.

12 years of membership and I can only be thankful to the program for allowing me such easy stays.

Well, in any case, we are all happy that you are happy with your cheaper option and made some savings. Great for you

Believe it or not, I, as a Thailand Elite member, am also very happy.

And I think all other members are happy too.

Happiness. That is what counts.

Got nothing to do with saving money!!

I certainly wouldn't be living here if i wanted to save money.

I just happened to find a lawyer that knew what he was doing.

But if you are happy then im sure that's all that matters!!