The Thailand Elite visa is now sold as Thailand Privilege: a paid membership from 650,000 THB for 5 years up to 5,000,000 THB for 20 years, with no income, savings or employment proof [1]. It is worth it if you cannot or do not want to document your finances, but it does not allow a Thai work permit, and if you are 50 or over and already meet the retirement visa's financial test, the retirement visa costs far less.
Thailand Privilege tiers and fees in 2026
| Tier | Membership term | Membership fee (VAT included) | Fee per extra family member | Privilege points per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 5 years | 650,000 THB | Not available (single member) | 0 |
| Gold | 5 years | 900,000 THB | Not available (single member) | 20 |
| Platinum | 10 years | 1,500,000 THB | 1,000,000 THB | 35 |
| Diamond | 15 years | 2,500,000 THB | 1,500,000 THB | 55 |
| Reserve (by invitation only) | 20 years | 5,000,000 THB | 2,500,000 THB | 120 |
Tier names, terms, fees, points and Reserve's invitation-only status are as published by Thailand Privilege [1]. The membership fee is paid directly to Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., not to us. Thailand Privilege can change packages, privileges and points, so check the current tier before you pay.
Bronze closes to new applications on 31 December 2026. That is a deadline for new applications only. Existing five-year Bronze memberships do not end on that date. If you want Bronze, start early and confirm with us or Thailand Privilege exactly which steps must be finished by the deadline.
What "Elite" and "Privilege" actually mean
They are the same programme. Thailand Elite was the old name; current packages are sold as Thailand Privilege. It is run by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., a state enterprise wholly owned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Membership comes with a Privilege Entry (PE) visa. Three facts matter more than anything in the brochure:
- Each entry gives you up to 1 year. You then extend in Thailand once a year at the immigration office for your address, for an immigration fee of 1,900 THB, and you can apply up to 30 days before your current stay ends [2]. The membership term (5 to 20 years) is not the date stamped in your passport.
- 90-day reporting still applies. You are responsible for your own 90-day reports [2]. Your first one must be made in person at your local immigration office.
- It is not a work visa. The PE visa is classed as a tourist visa and does not let you apply for a Thai work permit.
What you get for the fee
Thailand Privilege lists airport arrival and departure assistance, fast-track immigration, government liaison assistance and member contact-centre support on all five tiers, subject to service conditions. Higher tiers add privilege points and some complimentary benefits:
| Benefit | Bronze | Gold | Platinum | Diamond | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health check | None | One on joining | One on joining | One on joining | Annual |
| Personal accident insurance | None | 180 days | 180 days | 365 days | 365 days |
| Domestic flight | None | None | None | One per year | One per year |
| Spouse and children under 20 | No | No | Yes, extra fee | Yes, extra fee | Yes, extra fee |
Airport transfers, lounges, 90-day reporting help and lifestyle services are not automatically free or unlimited. Some use points and some cost extra, and the privilege book can change each year.
Elite vs LTR vs DTV vs retirement visa
| Thailand Privilege (Elite) | LTR Wealthy Pensioner | DTV | Non-O Retirement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Anyone who passes the background check | Age 50+ | Remote workers, freelancers, soft-power course students | Age 50+ |
| Financial test | None. You pay the membership fee | USD 80,000 a year passive income, or USD 40,000 to 80,000 a year plus USD 250,000 invested in Thailand | 500,000 THB personal savings, maintained 3 months | 800,000 THB savings, or 65,000 THB a month pension, or 400,000 THB plus 40,000 THB a month |
| Government cost | 650,000 to 5,000,000 THB membership fee, plus 1,900 THB per yearly extension | 50,000 THB visa fee per 10 years [3] | Set by each embassy in local currency, typically about 13,000 THB ($395) | Embassy visa fee, then 1,900 THB per yearly extension |
| Our service fee | None (see below) | 35,000 THB for BOI endorsement | 10,000 THB (Full Service) | 12,500 THB for the 90-day visa plus first extension, applying abroad |
| How long | 5 to 20 years membership; up to 1 year per entry, extended yearly | 10 years (5-year stamp, then 5-year extension) | 5 years, multiple entry; up to 180 days per entry | 90 days, then 1-year extensions renewed yearly |
| Work in Thailand | No work permit | Not by default; a digital work permit exemption may be possible through BOI | Remote work for foreign employers or clients only; no Thai work permit | No work permit |
| Address reporting | Every 90 days | Once a year | Every 90 days | Every 90 days |
Is Thailand Privilege worth it?
It depends on what you would otherwise have to prove.
Choose Privilege if
- Your wealth is real but hard to document in the form an embassy wants, for example inherited money rather than a pension or salary.
- You are under 50, so the retirement visa and LTR Wealthy Pensioner are not open to you, and you do not work remotely in a way that fits the DTV.
- You value airport fast-track and a liaison service, and you want one membership that covers many years without re-proving your finances.
Look elsewhere if
- You are 50+ and meet the retirement test. The Non-O Retirement route asks for 800,000 THB in savings (or a 65,000 THB monthly pension), which stays your money. Privilege Bronze is a 650,000 THB fee you do not get back. Both are extended yearly in Thailand and both need 90-day reports.
- You have a qualifying pension or passive income. LTR Wealthy Pensioner gives 10 years, a 50,000 THB visa fee [3] and once-a-year reporting instead of every 90 days.
- You work remotely and hold 500,000 THB in savings. The DTV covers 5 years for a fraction of the cost. Each stay is capped at 180 days per entry.
- You want a job with a Thai company. None of these visas cover that; you need a Non-B visa and a work permit.
How the application works
- Pick a tier based on budget, how many years you want, and whether family needs to be added (Platinum and above only).
- Send personal documents only: passport with more than 1 year validity and 3 or more blank pages, passport photo, Thai stamps, the signed application form for your tier and a signed PDPA form. If your passport shows a past Non-ED (education) visa, extra school documents are needed.
- Background check by Thailand Privilege: about 4 weeks, or about 12 weeks for countries it designates for special consideration. No agent can speed this up.
- Pay the membership fee directly to Thailand Privilege once approved. You then receive a Welcome Letter and Membership ID.
- Get the PE visa affixed at Chaeng Wattana Immigration in Bangkok, on arrival at Suvarnabhumi, Phuket or Chiang Mai airport, or at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
If you already hold a Non-B or Non-O visa, it usually has to be cancelled before the PE visa is affixed, so plan the order with us before cancelling anything. Holders of a Non-ED visa, or a medical visa without hospital documents, cannot switch to Privilege.
How we help
We are a registered Individual Sales Agent of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. We check your documents, submit through the official agent portal and plan your affixation route. We do not charge a service fee on Privilege applications. We take a 5,000 THB deposit before we prepare and submit your file. It is refunded in full if Thailand Privilege approves you and you pay the membership fee, or if Thailand Privilege refuses you. It is kept if you decide not to proceed. You can also apply directly with Thailand Privilege without us. See our Thailand Privilege visa page, or book a consultation if you are deciding between Privilege, LTR, DTV and the retirement visa.
Related: LTR vs Non-O retirement visa · Wealthy Pensioner LTR requirements · DTV visa guide
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Thailand Elite visa cost in 2026?
Between 650,000 THB (Bronze, 5 years) and 5,000,000 THB (Reserve, 20 years, invitation only), VAT included [1]. Gold is 900,000 THB for 5 years, Platinum 1,500,000 THB for 10 years and Diamond 2,500,000 THB for 15 years. Each yearly in-country extension adds a 1,900 THB immigration fee [2].
Is the Thailand Elite visa the same as Thailand Privilege?
Yes. Thailand Elite is the former name; the same state-owned operator now sells the membership as Thailand Privilege.
Is Thailand Privilege worth it?
It is worth it if you cannot or do not want to prove income or savings and you value airport and liaison services. If you are 50+ with 800,000 THB in savings, or you have a qualifying pension, the retirement visa or LTR does the same job for much less.
Why choose Privilege over the retirement visa if I am over 50?
Mainly to avoid the financial paperwork. The retirement visa needs 800,000 THB in savings, a 65,000 THB monthly pension or a combination, documented each year; Privilege needs only the membership fee and a background check. Both are extended yearly in Thailand and both need 90-day reports.
Can I work in Thailand on the Elite visa?
No. The PE visa is classed as a tourist visa and does not allow you to apply for a work permit.
Can my spouse and children join on my membership?
Only on Platinum, Diamond and Reserve. Spouses and children under 20 can be added for an extra fee per person (1,000,000 THB on Platinum, 1,500,000 THB on Diamond, 2,500,000 THB on Reserve). Bronze and Gold cover one person.
How long does a Thailand Privilege application take?
Thailand Privilege's background check takes about 4 weeks, or about 12 weeks for nationalities it designates for special consideration. Affixing the visa adds time depending on the route you choose.
Do I still need to do 90-day reports on the Elite visa?
Yes. You are responsible for your 90-day reports [2], and the first one must be made in person at your local immigration office.
References
- Thailand Privilege Card (thailandprivilege.co.th)
- Living in Thailand with long-term visa (thailandprivilege.co.th)
- LTR Visa Thailand: Visa Issuance (ltr.boi.go.th)