The Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is a government-backed long-term visa program designed for financially qualified individuals, investors, retirees, and highly skilled professionals. It offers tax incentives and work permit eligibility (subject to category-specific conditions).

The Thailand Privilege Card (formerly known as the Thailand Elite Card or Thailand Elite Visa) is a long-term residency membership program that emphasizes convenience, VIP airport services, and lifestyle privileges, without strict income, asset, or investment requirements.

Yes. The Thailand Privilege Card is the rebranded version of the Thailand Elite Card program. While the name has changed, it continues to provide long-term residency benefits and VIP lifestyle privileges in Thailand.

The Thailand Privilege Card generally has simplified eligibility requirements with no financial or professional thresholds.

The LTR Visa has stricter financial and professional criteria, depending on the applicant category.

The LTR Visa typically takes approximately 4 weeks after a complete application has been submitted to the BOI system.

The Thailand Privilege Card application process generally takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa government fee is THB 50,000 per applicant for a visa valid for up to 10 years.

The Thailand Privilege Card membership fee ranges from THB 900,000 to THB 5 million (standard packages), depending on the selected membership tier. The visa validity period ranges from 5 to 20 years.

The LTR Visa offers tax incentives for eligible applicants, including a 17% personal income tax rate for Highly Skilled Professionals and tax exemptions on overseas income for other LTR Visa categories.

The Thailand Privilege Card does not provide tax incentives.

No. Employment is not permitted under the Thailand Privilege Card visa category.

If you plan to work in Thailand and meet the qualification criteria, the LTR Visa may be more suitable.

While the LTR Visa offers Fast-Track Immigration at Thailand’s international airports, the Thailand Privilege Card provides a more comprehensive VIP airport experience through its Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) team. In addition to Fast-Track Immigration, Thailand Privilege Card members enjoy personalized gate services, golf cart transfers (where available), lounge access, and coordinated airport transfer services for a seamless arrival and departure experience.

Yes. Both the LTR Visa and the Thailand Privilege Card allow holders to open a Thai bank account, subject to individual bank requirements.

The Thailand Privilege Card provides structured ongoing support for its members through its Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) team and Member Contact Center (MCC). These dedicated teams assist members with immigration coordination and access to lifestyle privileges throughout the duration of their membership.

The LTR Visa does not include a dedicated support team after visa issuance, as it is a government visa program rather than a membership-based program.

It depends on the retiree’s financial profile.

Retirees who meet income and asset requirements and wish to benefit from tax incentives may consider the LTR Visa.

Retirees who prefer a simplified process and value convenience and VIP services may find the Thailand Privilege Card more suitable.

Digital nomads who meet the required income level and employer qualifications may apply under the Work-From-Thailand Professional category of Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa.

However, applicants who do not meet the stricter eligibility criteria of the LTR Visa may find the Thailand Privilege Card a more flexible and accessible alternative for long-term residence in Thailand, offering extended stay benefits without complex financial or employment requirements.

Yes. Both the LTR Visa and the Thailand Privilege Card allow eligible dependents to be included, subject to program-specific conditions and approval by the relevant authorities.

LTR Visa:
The LTR Visa permits applicants to include legal spouses, children under the age of 20, and parents as dependents. The government fee for each dependent is THB 50,000 per applicant, which is the same as the main applicant’s visa fee.

Thailand Privilege Card:
The Thailand Privilege Card allows members to add dependents (Supplementary Members) under the primary membership, depending on the selected package. Additional membership fees apply.

Our professional service fee for the LTR Visa application is subject to periodic adjustments. We recommend contacting our team directly to obtain the most up-to-date rate. In any case, pre-screening of your documents and initial application assessment are provided free of charge.

For the Thailand Privilege Card application, our service is provided completely free of charge, with no hidden costs. Applicants pay only the official membership fee directly to Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.

Long-term visa programs in Thailand involve evolving regulations from multiple government agencies, strict documentation standards, and formal review procedures. Misinterpreting eligibility criteria or submitting incomplete documentation can lead to unnecessary delays – or even rejection.

Thai Relo Services is among the few visa agencies in Thailand officially certified by the government for both major long-term residency programs:

• Certified Agency (CA) for the Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa since 2023
• Authorized General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA) for the Thailand Privilege Card (formerly Thailand Elite Card) since 2024

With direct communication channels to the relevant program authorities, we ensure that all advice provided to applicants is accurate, current, and aligned with official government guidelines.

Partnering with a government-certified agency offers clarity, peace of mind, and professional oversight throughout the entire application process – from eligibility assessment to final approval.