Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the Thailand Elite Visa. For those who are unaware, Thailand Elite is a program wherein those who become members may be eligible for a long-term Visa. The sticker validity of these visas is 5 years with an entry stamp to maintain one in status for one year increments of time which can either be extended in country or upon leaving and returning to the country, one can be stamped back in for an additional one year. 

Thailand Elite Visas have proven useful for a number of folks. I know a number of folks who also rather like some of the ancillary benefits associated with Thailand Elite Visas not to mention the golf courses and things but also the VIP entrance to the Kingdom etc. A recent comment on our channel caused me to go ahead and make this video. Quoting directly: "Is it true that the Elite Thai Visa program allow one to get Permanent Residence status in 3 months’ time? Therefore would Thai Elite Visa holders remain exempt from this insurance program?" Two issues there. With respect to insurance we have discussed this in other videos, only Retirement Visas presently have this new requirement associated with COVID-19 insurance and I have done a number of videos on that. I am not going to drill down any deeper on that one.

With respect to Permanent Residence in 3 months’ time, No, Thailand Elite Visa status does not provide Permanent Residence. It is basically a very long stay Non-immigrant Visa. It is a VIP Non-immigrant Visa. The way I think about it is it is just a really long Tourist Visa because it does not actually confer work authorization. One can just remain in Thailand in long-term Elite Visa status. Depending on what your membership is, you may be able to spend as long as 20 years in Thailand in total. Again you have to deal with your Visa stamps so you know those happen in one year increments and for those who are unaware, you also have to deal with 90-day reporting but no it does not provide Permanent Residence in and of itself nor does it provide a path to Permanent Residence for those who are in that status. Because it is not work authorized it doesn't meet all the requirements associated with being able to apply for PR. 

So again, Thailand Elite is very beneficial. There are a lot of upsides to it if you are willing to expend the resources to join that program but Permanent Residence is not currently one of them.