Thai Elite Visa
The Thai Elite Visa—administered through the Thailand Privilege Card Program—is a legal residency scheme established under the discretionary authority of Section 17 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). It permits long-term stay in Thailand based not on employment, retirement, family ties, or educational purposes, but through a contractual membership with a government-owned enterprise. This visa type stands apart from conventional immigration categories. It is not a policy-driven route tied to economic contribution, nor does it offer a path to permanent residency. It is instead a residence-by-contract regime, offering extended stay and administrative privileges to qualifying individuals who pay a fixed membership fee. II. Legal and Institutional Basis A. Statutory Foundation: Section 17 Section 17 of the Immigration Act allows the Minister of Interior, with Cabinet approval, to permit individuals…
