Is the Thailand Privilege Visa an investment or property visa?

No. It is a membership programme: you pay a one-off fee for 5 to 20 years of long-stay privilege-visa status. It does not require a property purchase or investment, and it does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

What happened to the "Thailand Elite" visa?

Thailand Elite was rebranded as the Thailand Privilege Visa in 2023, with a restructured set of membership tiers (Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and the invitation-only Reserve) and a Privilege Points benefits model.

How much does membership cost?

Fees range from THB 650,000 for the 5-year Bronze tier up to THB 5,000,000 for the 20-year Reserve tier, paid as a one-off. Gold is THB 900,000 (5 years), Platinum THB 1,500,000 (10 years) and Diamond THB 2,500,000 (15 years).

Can I own property in Thailand as a foreigner?

Foreigners can own condominium units outright within a building's 49% foreign-ownership quota, but generally cannot own land or a landed house in their own name. Many buyers pair a condo purchase with a Privilege Visa for a secure long-term right to stay.

Does the Privilege Visa let me work in Thailand?

No. It is a long-stay visa for residence, not employment. If you want to work, consider a work permit or the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, which includes a digital work permit for eligible applicants.

Is there a minimum time I must spend in Thailand?

No, there is no minimum-stay requirement, but members must still comply with Thailand's standard immigration formalities such as 90-day address reporting while in the country.

Business & investor visas

Thai Thailand Privilege Visa

A membership-based long-stay visa (formerly Thailand Elite) giving 5 to 20 years of residence in Thailand for a one-off fee — popular with property owners, though it is not itself a property or investment visa.

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Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Thailand government website before you apply.

On this page

Who the Privilege Visa is for
Membership tiers and fees
How it fits with buying property
What membership includes
The LTR visa alternative
Frequently asked questions

Route type: Membership-based long-stay privilege visa (5–20 years)
Provider: Thailand Privilege Card Co. (state enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Bronze: THB 650,000 — 5-year membership
Gold: THB 900,000 — 5-year membership
Platinum: THB 1,500,000 — 10-year membership
Diamond: THB 2,500,000 — 15-year membership
Reserve: THB 5,000,000 — 20-year membership (by invitation only)
Property required?: No — this is a membership fee, not a property or investment requirement
Route to citizenship: None (privilege/long-stay only; no PR)

Who the Privilege Visa is for

The programme suits people who want to live in Thailand long-term without running a business or meeting a work-visa's requirements — including retirees, remote workers and foreign property owners who want a secure, renewable right to stay.

Foreign condominium owners who want a long-term right to reside
Retirees and lifestyle migrants wanting 5–20 years of hassle-free stay
Frequent visitors who value fast-track immigration and concierge services
Applicants who prefer a fixed fee over an investment or work requirement

Membership tiers and fees

Membership is a one-off fee that buys a fixed number of years of privilege-visa status, plus an annual allocation of "Privilege Points" that can be redeemed for services such as airport limousine transfers, spa and golf sessions and health checks. Higher tiers carry longer validity and more points.

Bronze — THB 650,000, 5 years
Gold — THB 900,000, 5 years
Platinum — THB 1,500,000, 10 years
Diamond — THB 2,500,000, 15 years
Reserve — THB 5,000,000, 20 years (invitation only)

How it fits with buying property

The Privilege Visa is not a property visa, but the two are commonly paired. Foreigners may buy condominium units outright within a building's 49% foreign-ownership quota, but cannot normally own land or a landed house in their own name. Because Thailand offers no straightforward long-stay visa for ordinary property owners, many buyers use a Privilege Visa to underpin their right to live in the condo they own.

What membership includes

A multiple-entry long-stay visa for the membership term
Fast-track immigration and airport arrival/departure assistance
An annual allocation of Privilege Points for lifestyle services
Assistance with 90-day reporting and visa formalities
No requirement to run a business, work or invest in assets

The LTR visa alternative

Applicants looking for a route tied to real investment or income, or one with tax and work benefits, should consider Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa. It targets wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled experts, and offers a 10-year renewable stay, a digital work permit and, for some categories, a 17% flat personal income-tax rate. Unlike the Privilege Visa, the LTR has financial-eligibility criteria.

Frequently asked questions

No. It is a membership programme: you pay a one-off fee for 5 to 20 years of long-stay privilege-visa status. It does not require a property purchase or investment, and it does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-09-14. Information only — not legal advice.

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