Thailand Elite Visa is Now Thailand Privilege
- Rebrand Alert: The Thailand Elite Visa was officially rebranded to Thailand Privilege Visa in late 2023.
- Status: All old Elite packages have been discontinued. Existing members remain valid, but all new applicants must use the new Privilege tiers.
- New Benefit: The new program introduces a Privilege Points System, allowing members to customize benefits based on their lifestyle.
The Evolution of the Program
If you are searching for the Thailand Elite Visa, you are in the right place, although the program has changed. Since October 2023, it has been officially rebranded as the Thailand Privilege Visa. The core benefit remains the same, which is access to a long-term residency visa valid for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. However, the program has been modernized to provide greater flexibility and a more personalized experience.
This page outlines the key differences between the former Elite memberships and the current Privilege tiers, and also explains the available upgrade options for existing members.
"Over the last 20 years, our team at Siam ĢƵ has processed thousands of Elite visa applications. We witnessed the transition firsthand and have successfully helped hundreds of legacy members navigate the new rules. Below is our expert breakdown of what has changed."
Old vs. New (The Key Differences)
Many of our clients ask, "Is the new visa better than the old one?" The short answer is yes.
The updated Thailand Privilege program offers far more flexibility than the legacy Thailand Elite packages. The old Elite system relied on fixed, preset benefits tied to each package, while the new program introduces a flexible Points System that allows members to choose the services they value most.
The comparison below highlights how the old and new programs differ:
| Feature | Legacy "Thailand Elite" (Discontinued) | New "Thailand Privilege" (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Membership Structure | Many fixed packages with set benefits | 5 clear tiers with flexible points |
| Visa Validity | 5, 10, or 20 years | 5, 10, 15, or 20 years |
| Pricing | 500,000 THB to 2,000,000 THB | 650,000 THB to 5,000,000 THB |
| Benefits | Fixed quotas (limo rides, golf sessions, spa, transfers) | Flexible Privilege Points members can redeem for their chosen perks |
| Family Options | Available only in certain packages | Available for select tiers under the new program |
Can I still apply for the old packages?
No. The old packages (such as Elite Easy Access or Elite Family Excursion) are no longer open for new applications. All new applicants must choose from the Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, or Reserve packages.
For Existing Elite Members (Upgrade Paths)
If you currently hold a valid Thailand Elite Visa, your membership remains fully active until it expires, and you may continue using your existing benefits without any change.
However, many members are now choosing to upgrade into the new Thailand Privilege tiers to access the updated points-based system, which allows the redemption of annual Privilege Points for perks such as domestic flights, hotel stays, and airport services.
All previous Elite memberships have been renamed accordingly:
- Elite Easy Access to Gold Elite Easy Access
- Elite Family Excursion to Gold Elite Family Excursion
- Elite Family Alternative to Platinum Elite Family Alternative
- Elite Privilege Access to Platinum Elite Privilege Access
- Elite Superiority Extension to Platinum Elite Superiority Extension
- Elite Ultimate Privilege to Diamond Elite Ultimate Privilege
- Elite Family Premium to Diamond Elite Family Premium
- Lifetime Membership to Diamond Lifetime
Existing members can remain in their current card type or upgrade to a higher Privilege tier. Key upgrade rules include:
- Upgrades must be initiated when the membership has more than 3 months of validity remaining.
- Elite Easy Access (EEA) members may still upgrade to EUP or ESE under the original agreement if preferred.
- If a core member has supplementary cards, all must upgrade together.
- Processing time typically takes 1 to 3 months.
We recently assisted a client holding an 'Elite Easy Access' card who wanted to extend his stay to 15 years. We successfully upgraded him to the 'Diamond' membership. The process took approximately 4 weeks.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Don't rely on outdated information. To see the current pricing, the new points redemption chart, and step-by-step application instructions, please visit our official Thailand Privilege page.
Reviewed by Rex Baay - Senior Immigration Consultant | Operations Manager
Rex joined Siam ĢƵ in 2009 and throughout his 16 years of experience at the firm, he handled more than 2,000 immigration cases for Thailand. He has great knowledge of Thai non-immigrant visas such as business visas, marriage visas, retirement visas, and Thai Elite visas. He is also handling more complicated cases such as changing visas within Thailand. With a fluent grasp of English, he can provide a simple and easy-to-understand explanation about what to expect at every stage of the Thai Visa application process. He works hand-in-hand with our Thai immigration lawyer in Bangkok to assist foreign clients at the immigration office. As head of the elite visat team at Siam ĢƵ, his expertise can be invaluable to those in search of immigration assistance to Thailand. Feel free to contact Rex directly at his mobile phone number +66 80 005 9642
