A general rule of thumb is that applicants who previously held a Non-Immigrant Education (ED) Visa or a Non-Immigrant O Volunteer Visa are not technically eligible for a Thai Elite Visa. While applicants are able to submit an application, they may still be rejected.
The reason for this is often due to:
- Some educational institutions and volunteer organizations are shady or not genuine.
- ED Visas and Volunteer Visas can be obtained through illegitimate means.
However, there is a way to raise your chances of getting approved for a Thai Elite Visa:
- First, send an email to Siam Legal’s Thailand Elite team, letting them know your interest and that you were on an ED or volunteer visa.
- You will receive an email requesting all supplementary documentation required.
- Submit the documentation as attachments in reply to that email.
- Siam Legal will submit the application and share the additional documents as proof that the education institution or volunteer organization is genuine, and the visa was obtained through legitimate means.
- A background check will commence and you just have to await the approval letter.
The table below outlines all supplementary documentation that we would request alongside your application:
| ED Visa | Volunteer Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Documents | Confirmation letter from educational institution (showing registration and duration of program) | Proof of time volunteered at an organization |
| Document showing registration of educational institution | Document showing registration of volunteer organization | |
| Copy of ID of educational institution’s director | Copy of ID of volunteer organization’s director | |
| Attendance sheet certified by an educational body | Work permit | |
| Document previously submitted to immigration showing name and passport number of applicant at the time they received an ED Visa | Document previously submitted to immigration showing name and passport number of applicant at the time they received a Volunteer Visa |
- Confirmation letter from educational institution (showing registration and duration of program)
- Document showing registration of educational institution
- Copy of ID of educational institution’s director
- Attendance sheet certified by an educational body
- Document previously submitted to immigration showing name and passport number of applicant at the time they received an ED Visa
- Proof of time volunteered at an organization
- Document showing registration of volunteer organization
- Copy of ID of volunteer organization’s director
- Work permit
- Document previously submitted to immigration showing name and passport number of applicant at the time they received a Volunteer Visa
These documents help to boost your chances of being approved for the Thai Elite Visa package of your choice and help to make a case for why your visa was obtained legally and the school or organization you were registered at is genuine. However, there are also some issues to keep in mind:
- It does not guarantee that your application will be approved.
- These additional documents will be reviewed by the Thai Immigration Bureau during the background check, so it is often up to their discretion whether you will be rejected.
- There can be some complications and delays in acquiring some of these documents, especially as a previous visa holder.
Lots of previous or current holders of either visa were able to obtain their Thai Elite Visa eventually. It isn’t a completely rare case, but it does require some legwork to be done.
Contact us
Should you have any questions about the application process or need further information about Thailand Elite, please fill out the form below. Our dedicated team will get back to you promptly to assist with your inquiry.