Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Thailand Elite Visas. I have had a few people contact me lately, they have said: "hey, there is a condo that's for sale that says it comes with an Elite Visa, it is an automatic Elite Visa or something off this nature." Well maybe, based on the purchase of that condo but understand that isn't any kind of like official program that I am aware of that is occurring at Thai Immigration. What you will often see, well sometimes see here in Thailand especially with certain new projects that are kind of higher end condominiums is Elite Visas being issued to those who buy one of those condos but basically it is a perk. Essentially the seller of the condo, oftentimes the developer will sort of throw that in as a perk. They will say "hey, you buy a condo from us, we will throw a five-year Elite at you", which is the value of 600,000 Baht.

For those who are unaware, Thailand Elite does offer membership programs which provide a number of different benefits not least of which is as I just mentioned, a five year Elite Visa for the sort of standard package. There are longer packages, all the way up to 20 years associated with Thailand Elite Visa. As we have discussed in other videos, Thailand Elite does not in and of itself confer work authorization, nor does Thailand Elite status sort of get one out of having to deal with one year Visa extensions if you simply want to remain in the Kingdom albeit it is quite a bit more streamlined of a process associated with extending that status. The other thing you have to continue to deal with in Elite status is 90 day reporting. That being said, it is a rather substantial benefit. Thailand Elite status does provide a substantial five years of lawful status here in Thailand but understand you will oftentimes sort of see this kind of bundled together sometimes with condo purchase deals. It is not like Immigration has anything to do with that deal. To my understanding that is just a perk that that developer oftentimes will sort of throw in in association with buying a condo. It should be noted, foreign nationals who come to Thailand notwithstanding the restrictions on land ownership in Thailand, it is possible for a foreign national to gain Chanote Title, that is Freehold title or in the American common law context fee simple absolute title where you own that condo, that is yours 100%. For those who are unaware, it may be possible also to get what is called a Yellow Book, a House Book on that type of a condo and thereby allow you to be in the Tabian Baan system, the house book registration system here in the Kingdom which in my opinion is a pretty substantial benefit as well although I think it is a misunderstood benefit at times and we have done other videos on Yellow Books here in Thailand. 

But the thing to take away from this video is yes it may be possible to get an Elite Visa in association with purchase of a Thai Condo but understand that is not a Government program. That oftentimes is sort of a perk that you will see developers here in Thailand throw in that benefit sort of as part and parcel of purchasing a condo here in the Kingdom of Thailand.