Upgrading a Legacy Thai Elite Visa Membership to a Thailand Privilege Visa Membership

As of October 1st, 2023, the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. has not only discontinued the existing Thai Elite Visa program but has also rebranded and revamped its previous packages, which they relaunched as the Thailand Privilege program. Your existing Thai Elite visa remains valid based on the terms of your initial membership, but it is no longer feasible to extend or renew your membership. However, mechanisms have been put in place by the Thai tourism authority that will enable you to easily upgrade your legacy Thai Elite Visa membership to a new, more rewarding Thailand Privilege membership.

The existing Thai Elite packages that are now defunct and unable to be renewed consist of: 

• Elite Easy Access
• Elite Privilege Access
• Elite Family Alternative
• Elite Family Excursion
• Elite Superiority Extension
• Elite Ultimate Privilege
• Elite Family Premium
• Elite Maxima Health

If you currently hold a membership to any of these Elite programs, it is essential to understand how to upgrade them before your program/visa expires. 

Navigation of Options and Costs  

To initiate a membership upgrade, it is crucial to complete and submit the application, ensuring it is done not less than three months before the expiration of your Elite Visa Membership. The upgrade process encompasses various prices and requirements, which vary depending on the Thailand Privilege Visa Membership you aim to transition to.

Upgrading to Gold Membership

If you possess any of the older Thai Elite visas, such as the Elite Easy Access Membership, the upgrade to a Thailand Privilege Gold Membership is available at no extra cost. However, there is a membership fee of 50,000 THB per year, applicable for the remaining membership duration of your Elite Easy Access Membership.

For individuals with an Elite Family Excursion Membership, there is an additional upgrade fee of 100,000 THB along with an annual membership fee of 50,000 THB, which is applicable until the conclusion of the membership period.

Upgrading to Platinum Membership

Individuals who hold one of the following Thai Elite memberships have the opportunity to transition to the new Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership:

• Elite Easy Access
• Elite Family Alternative 
• Elite Family Excursion
• Elite Privilege Access 
• Elite Superiority Extension Membership

To initiate this upgrade, applicants are obligated to pay a fee of 100,000 THB. Additionally, there is an annual fee of 75,000 THB as a mandatory requirement, which is applicable until the conclusion of your current membership period. 

Upgrading to Diamond Membership

Individuals with existing Thai Elite Visa memberships also have the option to upgrade to the new Diamond membership. The upgrade fee for this transition is 100,000 THB. As with other upgrades, there is a yearly fee required after the transition, but in this case, the fee is based on the type of membership previously held:

• Elite Ultimate Privilege: 50,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Premium: 100,000 THB per year
• Elite Superiority Extension: 100,000 THB per year
• Elite Privilege Access: 125,000 THB per year
• Elite Easy Access: 125,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Excursion: 125,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Alternative: 150,000 THB per year

Notably, Lifetime Members can make this switch without incurring any upgrade fees or additional annual fees.

Upgrading to Reserve Membership

Regardless of which Thai Elite membership you currently hold, if you receive an invitation to upgrade to the Reserve membership, you are eligible for the upgrade. The annual fee for the upgrade depends on the type of Thai Elite Visa you previously held, but the one-time upgrade fee itself remains consistent across all previous memberships at 100,000 THB.

• Elite Ultimate Privilege: 225,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Premium: 250,000 THB per year
• Elite Superiority Extension: 225,000 THB per year
• Elite Privilege Access: 225,000 THB per year
• Elite Easy Access: 225,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Excursion: 225,000 THB per year
• Elite Family Alternative: 250,000 THB per year

Lifetime members are required to make a one-time membership payment of 2,500,000 THB, but there is no additional annual fee involved.

Documents Required

The required documents for an upgrade application include:

1. Completed and signed Thailand Privilege membership application form (different forms are available for each of the 4 memberships)
2. Copy of the current Thailand Privilege membership card
3. Signed Personal Data and Protection Act (PDPA) form
4. Photocopy of the passport (in color, showing the passport signature, with at least 12 months of validity remaining)
5. Recent passport-sized photo of the applicant (in color)

Additional documentation may be necessary, such as birth or marriage certificates, if adding family members to the membership.

Upon gathering the necessary documents, you are advised to seek the assistance of an accredited General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA). GSSAs are appointed and subsidized by the Thai government to provide applicants with free assistance with their Thailand Privilege Membership applications.

Application Process

To start the process, submit all required documents to your chosen GSSA and make the upfront payment for the upgrade by completing the form. The GSSA will review your application to check for any errors or missing documents that might cause a delay or rejection. Once all details are accurate and complete, the GSSA will contact the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. head office to request the upgrade.

The application process is as follows: 

1. The applicant completes and signs the necessary application and PDPA forms, and forwards all documentation to a GSSA, who submits the application to the government.
2. The background check is then conducted by Thai Immigration authorities.
3. Should the applicant clear the background check, they will receive an approval letter, at which time the applicant must pay the full membership fee to Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.
4. Upon receipt of the payment, a welcome letter will be sent to the new member along with a membership number and instructions on how to receive the new visa.
5. The applicant schedules an appointment at Thai immigration, an international airport, or their local Thai embassy/consulate to affix the new visa to their travel document.

Process Timeline

Background checks generally span 4 to 6 weeks, payment confirmation typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, and the receipt of the welcome kit occurs within 5 to 10 working days after payment clearance. As such, the entire process typically takes between 1 to 3 months, but it may take longer based on your nationality and particular circumstances.