The Thailand Elite Visa is a convenient way to stay in Thailand long-term and is flexible enough to give you many privileges that residents and citizens have. However, there are also certain restrictions that you will need to adhere to during your stay, as it is still technically a tourist visa. It’s essential to understand what you can and cannot do as a holder of a Thai Elite Visa to avoid penalties.
This article will examine what you are legally allowed to do and which activities are not permitted for a holder of a Thailand Elite Visa with a Thailand Privilege membership.
What you Can Do with a Thailand Elite Visa
As a long-stay Thai visa intended for those settling down in Thailand or just frequently visiting, the Thailand Elite Visa enables many rights and privileges that make living in the Kingdom more convenient. These include:
Leaving and Re-Entering Thailand on a Thai Elite Visa
While your Thailand Elite Visa remains valid, you can leave Thailand and re-enter as often as possible. More importantly, you can fly out of the country and back in without applying for a re-entry permit first, which is required by the standard Thai Tourist Visa.
Also unlike the normal tourist visa, a Thai Elite Visa does not force you to leave the country every 90 days. It has a stay limit of 1 year, which can be extended for a longer stay without leaving. And since it is a multiple-entry visa, you can simply leave Thailand and return the next day to reset the clock.
Acquiring a Thai Driver’s License
You can apply for a Thai driver’s license or convert your home country’s license into an international one as a Thailand Privilege member. You can also get assistance from an Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) to help you secure your driver’s license in person at the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok. This personal concierge will help you complete the paperwork and act as your interpreter to ensure you get your license quickly and smoothly.
Working Remotely from Thailand
There are no restrictions against working remotely from Thailand while you’re holding a Thailand Elite Visa. This means you can work as a freelancer, remote worker for a foreign company, or digital nomad without restriction.
Buying or Renting Out Properties in Thailand
As a holder of a Thailand Elite Visa, you have the right to purchase or rent out properties in Thailand that are available to foreigners. This includes being able to purchase a condominium under your name. In addition, you can purchase other residential properties such as houses and villas. You can also enter into long-term leases of up to 90 years for land or other properties.
Opening a Bank Account on a Thai Elite Visa
With a Thailand Privilege membership, you can easily open a Thai bank account and utilize all banking services. Once you receive your visa, you can also reach out to an EPL appointed by Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) to help you with the process of opening a bank account with the financial institution of your choice.
Paying Income Taxes on a Thailand Privilege Membership
While you can earn income from remote work or investments in Thailand or abroad, if you are a tax resident, you will have to pay taxes in Thailand and apply for a Tax Identification Number (TIN). The Thai Elite Visa does not exempt you from being taxed. You will be considered a “tax resident” if you stay at least 180 days in the country out of a calendar year and bring income into Thailand. As a tax resident, you need to pay income tax by filing a tax return before the deadline.
Studying at Thai Universities and Academic Institutions
You can enroll in a Thai university or academic institution while on a Thailand Elite Visa. But, while you have the freedom to pursue your studies on this visa, some educational institutions may require a Thai Education Visa, which you cannot hold at the same time as a Thailand Elite Visa. If you are required to obtain an Education Visa, you can simply cancel your Thai Elite Visa but keep your Thailand Privilege membership active, allowing you to continue using all the available privileges.
What you Can’t Do with a Thailand Elite Visa
There are many things that are restricted to all foreigners in Thailand regardless of visa. Also, as previously mentioned, a Thailand Privilege Visa is classed as a tourist visa, so certain activities are restricted to members. These include:
Working for a Thai Company on an Elite Visa
You cannot work for a Thai company or apply for a Thai work permit while on a Thailand Elite Visa. This is because the elite visa is classified as a tourist visa and does not qualify you to secure local employment. If you want to work for a Thai business, you will need to apply for a Thai non-immigrant visa and acquire a work permit afterward.
However, you can open a business in Thailand and earn profits from it while holding a Thailand Privilege Visa. What you cannot do is work directly for the company you start as a manager or director, which would require a work permit; you must remain a passive shareholder.
Purchasing Land in Thailand
While holding a Thailand Elite Visa lets you purchase a condominium and certain accommodations, you cannot buy land in Thailand, as all foreigners are restricted in this way. For instance, you can purchase a house under your name, but you cannot own the land that it is built on. However, there are no restrictions against leasing land and constructing a property on it.
Applying for Permanent Residency in Thailand
The Thailand Elite Visa can be a convenient solution for living in Thailand permanently, but it does not qualify you to apply for official permanent resident (PR) status. To apply for permanent residency in Thailand, you will instead need to gain non-immigrant status beforehand, which will require obtaining a different visa such as a non-immigrant visa.
This visa will need to be held for some years before you can become eligible for PR status. The good news is, as mentioned above you can cancel your Thai Elite Visa and switch to a new one while still retaining all the free perks and benefits of your Thailand Privilege Membership.
Adding Family Members Outside of Your Immediate Family
The Thailand Privilege PLATINUM, DIAMOND, and RESERVE membership packages allow you to bring your spouse, parents, and children to Thailand as additional members. However, you cannot include other family members such as your siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They will instead need to apply for a Thailand Elite Visa separately or arrive in the country on a different Thai visa.
Contact Siam Legal for Assistance in Getting a Thailand Elite Visa
If you want to acquire a Thailand Elite Visa or have any questions about the program, then partner with Siam Legal’s Thailand Privilege team for assistance. We are a General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA) entrusted by TPC to help you secure your visa in the quickest and most convenient way.
With our professional visa consultants by your side, we will help you secure your visa by providing detailed document checklists, consultation sessions to address any concerns, and an in-depth review process to correct any mistakes before your application is submitted. We will also handle the submission of your application to TPC on your behalf once everything is ready. Most importantly, we offer all of our Thailand Elite Visa services, free of charge.
Contact Siam Legal today to fulfill your dreams of a convenient and luxurious life in Thailand without worrying about immigration issues interrupting your stay.