Thai Elite .Visa a few questions

[DipStick]

I am a British passport holder residing in China with my Chinese wife, we have both lived and worked in Thailand and with the years advancing, we would like to split our time between Thailand (we have a condo) and China (we have a house)

i have read up just about everything  I have seen online regarding the Thai Elite programmes and the five year deals make a lot of sense to us, however living in China and not being allowed to transfer money (legally) out of China leaves me a few questions, such as :-

 

1). Would it be best to visit the TE offices in Silom and enrol face to face.

2). Once paperwork etc has been completed and fees paid, how long does it take to receive the visa and card.

3). I note the fees for a family (couple) are 800,000 Baht, but I am unsure if that's a lump sum or for each of us.

 

i have sent an email to .Thai  Elite  but as yet have received no answers. If anyone on here can assist with answers I would be most grateful, please let me add that at the age of 68, even though money is not an issue, the 20 year visa I think would be pushing my luck, but the 10 year deal may also be worth looking at

[ubonjoe]

It can all be done by email. First the application is submitted. It takes about a week for the approval to be done. Then the fee is paid. You will then request a date and time to meet at immigration in Bangkok to have your visa issued or if out of the country when application is completed you inform them of your arrival information at BKK airport where you will issued the visas.

It is 800k baht for two memberships in the  "Thailand Elite Family Excursion" package.

See: http://www.thailandelite.com/downloadable_form_file/downloadable_form_file37.pdf

[DipStick]

Thanks UJ, that's made things a lot clearer, but because of my situation, would it be possible to submit our applications as you suggested, then when approved we fly to BKK, enter on visa on arrivals, then proceed to the TE office in BKK to pay the fees and then get our passport visa issued ?

[Ronuk]

That membership is a decent deal for 2 people for 5 years trouble free living.

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, DipStick said:

Thanks UJ, that's made things a lot clearer, but because of my situation, would it be possible to submit our applications as you suggested, then when approved we fly to BKK, enter on visa on arrivals, then proceed to the TE office in BKK to pay the fees and then get our passport visa issued ?

The normal way to pay the fee is to transfer the 800k baht to their bank account. Not sure they can accept cash at the office.

I suggest you contact them about the payment. Also not sure how they will handle a 15 day visa on arrival that you wife will get. Contact info is here http://www.thailandelite.com/contact.php 

 

[siplanbahtvisa]

Hi UbonJoe, 

 

Can it be done in Chiangmai or must go to BKK. After the application is approved.

Quote

 

 

[ubonjoe]

As far as I know the visa can only be issued at Bangkok immigration or on arrival at BKK airport.

Best to ask them what arrangements can be made. I understand from report by others they are very helpful.

[Ronuk]

What normally happens is the first time you arrive you would normally of paid your fee. The TE staff will meet you airside and take you to there office which is also part of immigration. They affix your visa and give you your welcome pack. This includes your new luggage tags for future use, membership cards and handbook. Dont forget to keep your luggage tags issued by the airline when you checked your luggage in as the staff will in the meantime be collecting your luggage. Once you have your visas, the TE girl will escort you through immigration where you will receive a 12 month stamp in your passport , through customs and in to your Limo.

You can only pay in Thai Baht or American Dollars. There are different accounts to pay to, depending if you pay Baht or Dollars. I don't think there is an option to pay cash. I also don't think there is an option to pay on the day as imo, immigration needs to be paid up front before you actually get the visa. If you do it all online you won't be needing any visa on arrival as you will get the TE visa before you present yourself to immigration. I assume Chinese passport holders are eligible for the TE visa?

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, DipStick said:

Thanks UJ, that's made things a lot clearer, but because of my situation, would it be possible to submit our applications as you suggested, then when approved we fly to BKK, enter on visa on arrivals, then proceed to the TE office in BKK to pay the fees and then get our passport visa issued ?

 

In this day and age, you can rarely pay for anything using large sums of cash. Anti-money-laundering procedures mean that the original source of any large sums of cash must be meticulously documented. Using the Chinese underground banks to transfer money is much less of an option than in the past.

 

You will need to find a financial consultant in China who can advise you on how to get properly documented funds transferred either direct to TE or to a Thai bank. I know it is not easy, but there are ways.

[DipStick]

Thanks for all comments, all very helpful, however, another possible issue has sprung to mind, and that is my wife has a valid work permit, will that in any way be affected if we apply for the five year family visa, or will she still be allowed to renew work permit on this TE visa ?

[Mooner]

How safe are these visas? If you pay for 10 years is there any guarantee that the visa cant be revoked say for a change of government?

[DUS]

15 minutes ago, Mooner said:

How safe are these visas? If you pay for 10 years is there any guarantee that the visa cant be revoked say for a change of government?

 

There is no guarantee for ANYTHING here in Thailand or anywhere in the world for that matter. It COULD be cancelled, you could be re-imbursed on the remainder on your membership years/fees etc etc. Nobody can or will give you a guarantee for it. The program and its visa has been around for many years so chances are it will be still around when your membership officially expires.

[Ronuk]

Imo, if these visas were revoked or cancelled considering that immigration and the government have already been paid up front for them, then just about every single visa that is held by a non Thai would be cancelled. There wouldn't be enough planes to get everybody out of the country.

Relax, there is just about zero chance of it being cancelled. It's seen out different governments and military rule and is still being expanded and promoted to other country's, particularly in the Asian block.

[kham9]

Hope the ThaiElite office have replied to your email, you should find them very helpful and professional.

 

I joined the scheme in June this year, two of the answers here are incorrect.

You can pay the fees in CASH at a bank, thaielite will give you the banking details, sort code etc. ( I paid cash into krungthai bank in phuket, there is no problem).

The visa being applied into the passport can be done outside of Bangkok. Mine was done by immigration at Phuket airport.

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, kham9 said:

Hope the ThaiElite office have replied to your email, you should find them very helpful and professional.

 

I joined the scheme in June this year, two of the answers here are incorrect.

You can pay the fees in CASH at a bank, thaielite will give you the banking details, sort code etc. ( I paid cash into krungthai bank in phuket, there is no problem).

The visa being applied into the passport can be done outside of Bangkok. Mine was done by immigration at Phuket airport.

The OP asked about paying at the office. Depositing the money into their bank account at  the bank is not the same.

[DipStick]

UJ is right, but it doesn't really matter now as we are in a catch 22 situation, we have sent the forms off, and if approved then we need to pay within 7 days and then pick up the visa on our next arrival at Bangkok Airport.

so it's now obvious that payment has to be made before we enter Bangkok, and we have worked out the easiest way is to hand carry Chinese RMB to Hong Kong, then use one of our Hong Kong bank accounts to transfer the fee to their Thai bank account.

 

but thanks to all who gave informative responses, let's sit back and see what happens now.

[Ronuk]

When you make your payment,be sure to pay to the correct account. You get the choice of 2 accounts. One allows you to pay in US Dollars the other is for paying Thai Baht. You cannot pay in any other currency.

[DipStick]

Thanks Ronuk, that is understood. Will deposit our RMB in our HK accounts then transfer in Thai baht.

[Ronuk]

Good luck Dipstick. You will love the easiness of the program.

Even the I/0 smile and wish you well ?