My Elite Visa Application (Day 1 until the End)

[LASportsNut]

19 minutes ago, Trevor said:

Interesting thread....thanks for posting.

Have you been given any indication how long the process is likely to take?

Thank you for the positive feedback.

I posted the Chart with the steps, however the timeline I imagine is as follows:

• Step 1, Application- 1-2 hours* 
• Step 2, Consideration - Website indicates 1-4 months, however the email told me "about 1 month."
• Step 3, Approval Letter in email - 1 day
• Step 4, Payment and submit proof of payment - Same day as above
• Step 5, Activate Membership - Same day as above or 1 day?
• Step 6, Receive Welcome Letter and ID Number in email - Same day as above
• Step 7, Contact Member Contact Center -  Same day as above
• Step 8, Affix Visa - When I get to step 7, I anticipate booking my flight this same day.  Anticipate 3-10 days after steps 5, 6, and 7. This does not include the time difference and travel time (mine is 14 hours and approximately 20 hours)

* Completed Steps (actual time)

Taking all of the above into account, I am "hoping" to be in Thailand in quarantine by mid September and out of quarantine end of September or beginning of October.

[Luv2Phuket]

I assume there is no way to get any kind of assurances these days, but has anyone with whom you have spoken addressed the possibility that, even when Thailand is opened to Elite Visa holders, there still may be a hold/ban on residents from certain countries (i.e., where you and I are! 555)?

I would assume all would be cleared, given the required pre-travel negative test, 14-day quarantine, etc., but would want to be certain that wasn't going to be an issue.

[LASportsNut]

30 minutes ago, maxtroy said:

If you already have a Thai bank account you should not be applying for a retirement visa from your home country . The O-A visa you get from your home country carries the insurance qualifications  specifying Thai insurane providers on an approved list whereas the O visa picked  up while in Thailand does not . Make your initial application in the month you know you will be in Thailand every year . I renew my retirement visa every  February . You can apply earlier than the 12 month point but I don't know what the maximum days early would be .

Not judging because it is your money but you have made  the major hurdle by having a Thai bank account , Just follow the  800K baht in the bank process and you will get your retirement visa for a couple of thousand  .  Just remember to get single or mutltiple reentry permission  .,another thousand or two . 90 day reporting is   easier than falling off of a turnip truck . In and out in no time at all  with the possibility of online if they can get it to work with some consistency .

 

 

Thanks for the information.

Unless they deny my Elite Visa, it is too late for me now, but maybe an option for others following along.

Yes, before they made it more difficult to get the bank account, I went into Kasikorn and used my hotel address and phone number to open the account.  Not once did they check and they approved it.

I was unaware of the insurance requirement until I returned home from Thailand and applied at home.

I never thought of the retirement visa in Thailand, as I planned on traveling every 30 days, however it became a litte burdensome and inconvenient.  Though I enjoyed being in Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, etc, each time I could not wait to get back to Thailand.

 

[LASportsNut]

14 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

I assume there is no way to get any kind of assurances these days, but has anyone with whom you have spoken addressed the possibility that, even when Thailand is opened to Elite Visa holders, there still may be a hold/ban on residents from certain countries (i.e., where you and I are! 555)?

I would assume all would be cleared, given the required pre-travel negative test, 14-day quarantine, etc., but would want to be certain that wasn't going to be an issue.

I have not been giving this assurance, however the list of approved countries for the Elite Visa included the USA, so I assumed.

But you know what they say about that (ass out of u and me, LOL).

I will follow up with an email to my representative just to see if they know anything.

I will let you post the information after I obtain it.

[Billy Shears]

@LASportsNut Did they tell you how you were going to make payment? Wire transfer, credit card? What are the accepted forms of payment? I'm assuming that you need to pay before visa is issued? And is it an actual visa attached to your passport?

[KhaoKaiJiao]

2 hours ago, LASportsNut said:

 

Have either of you used the Elite to obtain your Driver License? (I have an international license, but there are time limitations).

Or get a Thai Bank account? (I have Kasikorn in Pattaya, but may open another account in Bangkok to avoid the ATM fees).

Or the 90 Day Reporting? ( I am guessing, the service is for the first time, then after that you can do it online anyway, or does Thailand Elite do that for you too?).

used it for  bank account while in Bangkok. they send someone to meet you at bangkok bank main office and that person helps you with all the paperwork,, translates etc. you can open up multiple accounts when you go there, but if you open up one then want a second in the future it won't be a free service.  took about an hour with so many papers to sign but it was mostly the thailand elite person talking and me signing all the copies. 

 

about 90 day reporting it says your supposed to do it but no one i know who has thailand elite has ever done it themselves and everyone is fine so...

[KhaoKaiJiao]

29 minutes ago, WhiteThai said:

@LASportsNut Did they tell you how you were going to make payment? Wire transfer, credit card? What are the accepted forms of payment? I'm assuming that you need to pay before visa is issued? And is it an actual visa attached to your passport?

yes. it takes up a page.  they take wire transfer or thai bank transfer. 

 

my only complaint about thailand elite is that at any other airport than BKK the immigration officials have no clue what it is.  maybe they've heard of it, but none have ever seen it. Last year flying into patts it took all 3 immigration officials 15min+ to figure it out .

[LASportsNut]

39 minutes ago, WhiteThai said:

@LASportsNut Did they tell you how you were going to make payment? Wire transfer, credit card? What are the accepted forms of payment? I'm assuming that you need to pay before visa is issued? And is it an actual visa attached to your passport?

The chart indicates three options:

1. Credit Card
2. Bank Transfer
3. Payment Online

I wonder if #3 is actually more of how you pay and not what you pay with.

I have the funds, but I will use credit card to earn travel points.

[LASportsNut]

11 minutes ago, KhaoKaiJiao said:

yes. it takes up a page.  they take wire transfer or thai bank transfer. 

 

my only complaint about thailand elite is that at any other airport than BKK the immigration officials have no clue what it is.  maybe they've heard of it, but none have ever seen it. Last year flying into patts it took all 3 immigration officials 15min+ to figure it out .

That would suck. 

BKK, DMK, CNK (Chiang Mai), UTP (Pattaya), HKT (Phuket), and USM (Koh Samui) in order of preference.

I read Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui would also have Elite Visa services.

But it appears DMK and UTP do not.

[mariod.au]

Thanks much for starting this thread! I have been eyeballing this visa since I’m not old enough for the retiree one(s).

Does Thailand tax pensions or other passive income derived from outside the country?

[Luv2Phuket]

1 hour ago, LASportsNut said:

I have the funds, but I will use credit card to earn travel points.
 

Open a new credit card account and hit the minimum spend for bonus miles/points with this charge -- it could effectively earn you a free flight, which also offsets the cost quite a bit.

[sabato]

27 minutes ago, mariod.au said:

Thanks much for starting this thread! I have been eyeballing this visa since I’m not old enough for the retiree one(s).

Does Thailand tax pensions or other passive income derived from outside the country?

They only tax international income that is brought into Thailand within a year of being earned. Which sounds rather difficult to enforce.. which is probably by design.

[LASportsNut]

This is a photo of my personal web experience. 

It also includes my name, passport photo and other information, that I obviously did not want to include in the photo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Edited August 5, 2020 by LASportsNut

[KhunChang]

11 hours ago, KhaoKaiJiao said:

used it for  bank account while in Bangkok. they send someone to meet you at bangkok bank main office and that person helps you with all the paperwork,, translates etc. you can open up multiple accounts when you go there, but if you open up one then want a second in the future it won't be a free service.  took about an hour with so many papers to sign but it was mostly the thailand elite person talking and me signing all the copies. 

 

about 90 day reporting it says your supposed to do it but no one i know who has thailand elite has ever done it themselves and everyone is fine so...

Were you forced / pressured to buy some kind of insurance to open the account or just have to pay the normal fee (few hundreds THB i guess for the ATM card).

In other words: does the presence of the Elite staff prevented to have this kind of scam tried on you.

Edited August 6, 2020 by KhunChang

[KhaoKaiJiao]

18 hours ago, LASportsNut said:

That would suck. 

BKK, DMK, CNK (Chiang Mai), UTP (Pattaya), HKT (Phuket), and USM (Koh Samui) in order of preference.

I read Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui would also have Elite Visa services.

But it appears DMK and UTP do not.

only bkk has the true service. golf cart, staff escort, car etc. At any thailand airport that has a fast track you can use it with Elite. maybe CM has but dmk doesn't iirc.  i do know that  at dmk you can go in the biggest lounge as a thailand elite member(actually a nice lounge, even a free 15min massage), and maybe same for the lounge at koh samui and elsewhere. its not well advertised but you can see the thailand elite logo when you walk in. 

 

[KhaoKaiJiao]

7 hours ago, KhunChang said:

Were you forced / pressured to buy some kind of insurance to open the account or just have to pay the normal fee (few hundreds THB i guess for the ATM card).

In other words: does the presence of the Elite staff prevented to have this kind of scam tried on you.

nope only 200 or 300 baht for the atm card. 

[JakatiJohn]

Thanks for the thread. Interesting read.

One of the benefits mentioned for the Elite Visa are discounts at hotels and golf resorts. Wondering if any Elite members have used this benefit, and their experience. I’m normally pretty skeptical of these types of discounts as in my experience they often only apply to full price rates, and there are frequently similar or better discounts available. But wondering if some have found this to be a useful benefit. Thanks.

[Smeghead76]

Have been reading this morning that currently the Elite Visa program members are not being allowed into Thailand.

It has been informally agreed they will be allowed in but as of this time it is not  actually happening.

When it does happen you will also need a letter from the your local Thai embassy approving your entry.

Then the 14 day hotel quarantine etc etc.

 

Be interesting to see how this all pans out for you when the time comes.

[LASportsNut]

Have been reading this morning that currently the Elite Visa program members are not being allowed into Thailand.
It has been informally agreed they will be allowed in but as of this time it is not  actually happening.
When it does happen you will also need a letter from the your local Thai embassy approving your entry.
Then the 14 day hotel quarantine etc etc.
 
Be interesting to see how this all pans out for you when the time comes.

Yes, I read similar.

Prior to making a decision I called my local Thailand Embassy.

They knew nothing about the Elite Visa and indicated they normally don’t handle many.


So time will tell.

I will wait for approval and further instruction or denial as anything is possible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ackruu123]

Great topic.  Thanks for sharing your experience so far.  I look forward to reading the rest of your story.

[LASportsNut]

7 hours ago, Smeghead76 said:

Have been reading this morning that currently the Elite Visa program members are not being allowed into Thailand.

It has been informally agreed they will be allowed in but as of this time it is not  actually happening.

When it does happen you will also need a letter from the your local Thai embassy approving your entry.

Then the 14 day hotel quarantine etc etc.

 

Be interesting to see how this all pans out for you when the time comes.

There is some conflicting statements on if Elite Members are being allowed in.  Here is one article that indicates you can.  There are many like this.

I thinking Thailand is letting in some but not all countries.  I maybe out of luck afterall. 

Or maybe there is a check off list required before the local Thai Embassy gives approval.

Who knows? 

I hopefully will be able to answer this in about 4 weeks.

[Smeghead76]

1 hour ago, LASportsNut said:

There is some conflicting statements on if Elite Members are being allowed in.  Here is one article that indicates you can.  There are many like this.

I thinking Thailand is letting in some but not all countries.  I maybe out of luck afterall. 

Or maybe there is a check off list required before the local Thai Embassy gives approval.

Who knows? 

I hopefully will be able to answer this in about 4 weeks.

I hope for your sake it works out in your favour.

I have a friend in Thai Media who has told me currently there is no official arrangements for Elite Visa entry..... But it is on the cards.

The reality is probably somewhere in the middle of the 2.

This is Thailand after all

[Pheat]

1 hour ago, LASportsNut said:

There is some conflicting statements on if Elite Members are being allowed in

I reckon you will be let in a few weeks, with the Elite visa obviously will have to do the 14 day quarantine in registered accommodation but no biggie really if staying for a few months.

 

[expatdude]

I'm following with interest as I have friends who are chomping at the bit to get back in. Thanks for all the first-hand information so far, it's truly appreciated.

[article22]

I have a friend who signed a contract to teach in BKK for a year back in December 2019 and quit her job in April...the company said that they would get her on the first flight available from London but she is still waiting.

She had to spend all morning yesterday, being messed around after she got informed that she would fly today but in the end there were no seats left so it is next Friday now (*maybe*).

So really is a shit show even for people allowed in the country...currently the Elite visas are not.

https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/51895

I read that CAAT had asked foreign airlines about coming back to Thailand and most said no for the next few months as they just don't have the capacity currently with all the mothballed pilots and planes.

So the only flights into Thailand are with Thai Air and some SA members which makes free seats a big issue which has been the case for my friend.

 

One good bit of news is that CAAT is trialing the 90 mins Covid test machines at an airport (guessing BKK) and you have to pay (if farang) but if you pass then maybe you don't have to quarantine for 14 days (conflicting reports on this at the mo) which would be cool.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1945580/suvarnabhumi-gets-90-minute-test-lab

Edited August 8, 2020 by article22