Thailand elite visa - Advice needed

[NoshowJones]

9 hours ago, vipsvvvv said:

thanks to everyone for the reply , i think i need to pack and leave the country , i was not well informed and i wish someone explained to me before that i need to leave the country every year which is different from the 90 day report , the thailand elite office tried to blame the immigration officer on counter 3 as they told me from not checking properly the last time i got my 90 day report 

 

thanks again and wish you all the best

I was always against the Elite visa, and I did not know you had to leave the country every year, but this being Thailand, nothing surprises me.

[Mattd]

2 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

I was always against the Elite visa, and I did not know you had to leave the country every year, but this being Thailand, nothing surprises me.

Seems they do not actually have to depart unless they want to, an extension can be applied for, but must be done and paid for by yourself, which I do find strange considering the outlay involved, I'd have thought that the extension cost and assistance to do would have been included.

[NoshowJones]

24 minutes ago, logres212 said:

You do not have to leave the country every year, you simply go to immigration and apply for a one year extension before the admitted until date on the entry stamp, cost 1900 baht. You can stay continually in Thailand for five years if you wish. You do not need a reentry stamp if you leave the country, when you return you automatically get another 12 months. 

Why are you expected to pay 1.900 Baht after already paying them 500.000 Baht?

Edited June 21, 2018 by possum1931

[NoshowJones]

11 minutes ago, Mattd said:

I have to admit, that despite the onerous being on the OP to ensure that his permission to stay is in date, it does surprise me that Thailand Elite did not pick up on this and warn him of the potential overstay the last time that he submitted his passport for a 90 day report, a pretty poor show by all really, just shows that neither TE or Immigration pay much attention.

There is, unfortunately, every possibility that a ban will be applied, meaning that most of the 500,000 paid out is wasted.

Lesson learnt for other TE members out there.

Like I said TiT.

[Briggsy]

12 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Why are you expected to pay 1.900 Baht after already paying them 500.000 Baht?

Because the 500,000 goes to the Thailand Privilege Card Co, a government created entity owned by the TAT, whilst extensions of visas are dealt with by the Immigration Department, a department of the police.

 

Different government entities tend to liaise very poorly in Thailand and the government is very 'vertical' and not designed or friendly towards integrated services.

 

These two are not even under the same ministry. Any co-operation would need Prime Ministerial approval probably.

[bkk6060]

1 hour ago, rwill said:

sounds like the newer 10 year retirement visa is a better deal than the elite if you are over 50 years old and can meet the financial requirements.

 

I know they have them but I have never heard of one person getting one of those.

[digbeth]

So they can do 90 days report for you but can't do the 1900 baht extension of stay?

For half a million I'd expect better service, at least a record in their system to at least remind when your visa's up and offer to at least escort you through the process of getting an extension if they can't do it themselves due to some legal reason.

 

When they got your passport for the 90 days 'service' they had multiple opportunity and should have at least checked 

If there could be a resolution to this if they could get their acts together with immigration and allow a backdated extension of stay 

[Briggsy]

1 minute ago, digbeth said:

For half a million I'd expect better service

You want to read the thread on their attempts to process a credit card transaction. This is not an organisation with first world competence.

[elviajero]

I think you’ve already been given the best advice. You can't blame anyone else for the overstay, but it would be worth asking TE to help you exit the country and use their contacts to get the ban waived. 

 

However, as you qualified for an extension of stay, that would have time remaining, it might be worth asking immigration, via TE, for a 1 year extension. They could do it if you pay the 20K overstay fee and 1,900 extension fee.

Edited June 21, 2018 by elviajero

[IsaanFam]

15 hours ago, Thailand J said:

I have checked into the 5 years Elite visa long time ago , if i remember right you need to exit and re enter Thailand once a year. You are over staying if you have not been out of Thailand since you got the Elite visa about one and the half year ago.

 

 

I thought it was possible to extend that visa within Thailand, ie. without exiting and re-entering the country?

[observer90210]

It is plainly outrageous that despite paying 500'000 THB, the Thai Elite Visa service is so inefficient and careless. Hope it gets sorted out for the OP.

[elviajero]

46 minutes ago, IsaanFam said:

 

I thought it was possible to extend that visa within Thailand, ie. without exiting and re-entering the country?

It is. You can extend the permit to stay for 1 year, each year, without leaving the country.

[elviajero]

20 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

It is plainly outrageous that despite paying 500'000 THB, the Thai Elite Visa service is so inefficient and careless. Hope it gets sorted out for the OP.

It’s not really their responsibility to make sure their members stay legal, They provide all the info members need to understand their visa/permit to stay. That said given they were handling the 90 day reports I’m surprised no one picked up the overstay sooner.

[elviajero]

20 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

It is plainly outrageous that despite paying 500'000 THB, the Thai Elite Visa service is so inefficient and careless. Hope it gets sorted out for the OP.

It’s not really their responsibility to make sure their members stay legal, They provide all the info members need to understand their visa/permit to stay. That said given they were handling the 90 day reports I’m surprised no one picked up the overstay sooner.

[vipsvvvv]

hello , just wanted to post an update after my  last visit to the thai elite office ive received the following email : 

 

 

Greetings from Thailand Elite Customer Contact Center.

 

Please be informed our Government Relation Manager still waiting for the Chaeng Wattana Immigration Department Head who can make the decision but he was assigned to inspect the immigration office in another province with his boss. We are not sure that he will come back to the office today.

 

However, we explained your situation to him but he needs to go back to the office and carefully check all details then he will inform us as soon as possible.

 

Your kind waiting for his reply on this matter would be highly appreciated. We will contact you immediately when we have any further information.

 

i do understand that some people find that this is my fault for not be well informed about the immigration law,  but also u have to understand that i have no prior experience dealing with this kind of matters i was just following the ticket i was receiving after each 90 day report if somebody told me that i was overstayed before the last 2- 90 days reports i would gladly pay the fine and move on , now im overstayed 150 days because the officer didnt check properly my passport which is unexpectable and facing a ban for one year

 

i though i did the right thing by getting this kind of visa by eliminating the headache of paperwork and waiting in lines at immigration office for the next 5 years

 

for the moment i feel like a criminal and scared to not be arrested i just hope they do understand that i had no intention in any way to overstay and cause any troubles and they let me comeback without 1 year ban 

 

i will post an update again as soon i hear back from them

[HerbalEd]

17 hours ago, vipsvvvv said:

thanks to everyone for the reply , i think i need to pack and leave the country , i was not well informed and i wish someone explained to me before that i need to leave the country every year which is different from the 90 day report , the thailand elite office tried to blame the immigration officer on counter 3 as they told me from not checking properly the last time i got my 90 day report 

 

thanks again and wish you all the best

As a holder of the Thai Elite Visa for the past two years, I am well aware of the requirement for 90-day reporting and the 1-year visa renewal because these are well elaborated on the Thai Elite website and were well explained to me when I first received my 5-year visa. 

 

Ultimately it's the OP's responsibility to do the 1-year extension. Meanwhile the person at Thai Elite Visa that handled his 90-day report should have caught and remedied immigration's oversight of the  1-year renewal situation. 

 

You should be asking Thai Elite Visa staff to help you out with this situation. I've always found them to be very helpful. If they're actually able to help correct your situation, they will. 

Edited June 21, 2018 by HerbalEd

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, vipsvvvv said:

hello , just wanted to post an update after my  last visit to the thai elite office ive received the following email : 

 

 

Greetings from Thailand Elite Customer Contact Center.

 

Please be informed our Government Relation Manager still waiting for the Chaeng Wattana Immigration Department Head who can make the decision but he was assigned to inspect the immigration office in another province with his boss. We are not sure that he will come back to the office today.

 

However, we explained your situation to him but he needs to go back to the office and carefully check all details then he will inform us as soon as possible.

 

Your kind waiting for his reply on this matter would be highly appreciated. We will contact you immediately when we have any further information.

 

i do understand that some people find that this is my fault for not be well informed about the immigration law,  but also u have to understand that i have no prior experience dealing with this kind of matters i was just following the ticket i was receiving after each 90 day report if somebody told me that i was overstayed before the last 2- 90 days reports i would gladly pay the fine and move on , now im overstayed 150 days because the officer didnt check properly my passport which is unexpectable and facing a ban for one year

 

i though i did the right thing by getting this kind of visa by eliminating the headache of paperwork and waiting in lines at immigration office for the next 5 years

 

for the moment i feel like a criminal and scared to not be arrested i just hope they do understand that i had no intention in any way to overstay and cause any troubles and they let me comeback without 1 year ban 

 

i will post an update again as soon i hear back from them

Given your membership of TE I wouldn't be too concerned about the overstay. If TE are helping I would be surprised if immigration make you leave or ban you if you do. The easiest solution is for immigration to issue an extension of stay for the remainder of your current year.

 

It will be interesting to know how they resolve the situation.

[mduras01]

I am sure Thailand Elite can help... for a fee maybe.

Best of luck.

[Andrew65]

On 6/21/2018 at 5:37 AM, theguyfromanotherforum said:

This visa is only valid for a year. It seems like you didn't leave the country or apply for 1 year extension.

 

Your 90 day report is a separate issue and has nothing to do with a permission to stay.

 

Yes, it looks like you're in trouble.

I have one & I believe the 500k visa is a 5 year one, and you don't need to leave the country at all over that time.

 

I would call TV, or visit their office. This sounds like a "TIT" mix-up, maybe an issue between TEV and Immigration.

 

Good Luck.

[garyk]

What is the difference in the TEV and a regular retirement visa? Sounds like the regular visa is cheaper and much easier..

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, garyk said:

What is the difference in the TEV and a regular retirement visa? Sounds like the regular visa is cheaper and much easier..

Depending on which type you have, you get fast-tack through the airport, spa-treatments etc. Also, you don't have to "season", or show any money annually.

 

They can provide a business advisor & general assistance.

 

I haven't been using them to do my 90 day report, that's easy enough by mail. After saying that, after paying all that money, I'm a bit miffed that I have to do that at all!

[elviajero]

14 minutes ago, garyk said:

What is the difference in the TEV and a regular retirement visa? Sounds like the regular visa is cheaper and much easier..

A “regular retirement visa” is cheaper, but not necessarily easier. The only real benefit of the PE visa from TE is convenience.

[elviajero]

8 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

Depending on which type you have, you get fast-tack through the airport, spa-treatments etc. Also, you don't have to "season", or show any money annually.

 

They can provide a business advisor & general assistance.

 

I haven't been using them to do my 90 day report, that's easy enough by mail. After saying that, after paying all that money, I'm a bit miffed that I have to do that at all!

Fast track services through the airport are available to anyone. TE members have pre-overpaid for this service regardless of whether or not they use it. Same applies to spa treatments.

 

You don’t need to season/show money for a “retirement visa” either. You can use income. 

 

Someone over 50 with a “regular retirement visa” pays 9,500 Baht over 5 years compared to a TE member that pays, at least, 500K. 490,500 Baht buys a lot of fast track entries and spa treatments!

 

Reporting your address every 90 days is the law. Not sure why you think TE membership should provide exemption. Could it be the false impression of ‘privilege’?

[elviajero]

45 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

I would call TV, or visit their office. This sounds like a "TIT" mix-up, maybe an issue between TEV and Immigration.

There’s no mix up. The OP simply didn’t understand, despite being given the terms of the visa/permit by TE, that they need to leave once a year or apply for an extension of stay; and didn’t understand the difference between permission to stay and 90 day reporting.

[bkk6060]

8 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Fast track services through the airport are available to anyone. TE members have pre-overpaid for this service regardless of whether or not they use it. Same applies to spa treatments.

 

You don’t need to season/show money for a “retirement visa” either. You can use income. 

 

Someone over 50 with a “regular retirement visa” pays 9,500 Baht over 5 years compared to a TE member that pays, at least, 500K. 490,500 Baht buys a lot of fast track entries and spa treatments!

 

Reporting your address every 90 days is the law. Not sure why you think TE membership should provide exemption. Could it be the false impression of ‘privilege’?

If one is over 50 it sure seems stupid.  There are some cheapy fixer upper condos out there for not more more then that.

Plus, many things in life can change over 10 years seems like quite an unknown/risky commitment.

Edited June 22, 2018 by bkk6060

[elviajero]

38 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

If one is over 50 it sure seems stupid.  There are some cheapy fixer upper condos out there for not more more then that.

Plus, many things in life can change over 10 years seems like quite an unknown/risky commitment.

I don’t believe there’s any risk with the 5 year  PE visa because it’s government backed. 

 

TE membership suits some people but, as TE has discovered, it’s a small market. I wouldn’t criticise anyone for choosing it, but I do question the schemes long term viability. I would seriously consider the 20 membership if they actually gave me a 20 year visa instead of a 5 year visa and the ‘promise’ of three more pre-paid 5 year visas.

[bruceamstutz]

21 hours ago, Horace said:

If you are paying this kind of money, 500,000 Baht, for an Elite Card, Thailand Elite should clearly explain these matters to you and assist if there is a snafu.   I read you copy and paste of the message from Thailand Elite Customer Contact Center, and it manages to both be alarming and virtually incomprehensible.  I don't see the value of the Elite Card if they can't communicate the requirements to their customers in clear and comprehensible English.  I have never understood what value Thailand Elite provides to foreigners.  It seems to simply confuse matters and cause unnecessary and often serious legal problems.  Why pay 500,000 Baht for that kind of grief?

Totally In agreement.....

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, garyk said:

What is the difference in the TEV and a regular retirement visa? Sounds like the regular visa is cheaper and much easier..

TEV is mostly for people under 50 who are not married to a Thai and don't work in Thailand, and thus don't have another option for a long term stay.

If you can get a retirement visa the TEV does not really make sense.

[logres212]

2 hours ago, garyk said:

What is the difference in the TEV and a regular retirement visa? Sounds like the regular visa is cheaper and much easier..

Probably the main use of it is for people that are not old enough to qualify for the retirement visa. Also it allows you unlimited reentrys, handy if you do a lot of traveling for business or pleasure.

[Mattd]

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I have one & I believe the 500k visa is a 5 year one, and you don't need to leave the country at all over that time.

This maybe the case, BUT you must extend the permission to stay once a year over that period of 5 years, which is what the OP failed to do, hence the situation he is.