Thailand residence permit by investment
Thailand Privilege: a long-term Thai visa for a one-off fee with no residence requirement. From THB 650,000, about $20,000, processed in 1-2 months.
Thailand is a country on the Indochina peninsula, bordering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia. The Thailand Privilege Residence program grants long-term residence for a one-off fee, with no requirement to live in the country.
Legal grounds for residence
To get a Thailand residence permit by investment, you can choose one of five cards:
- Bronze Card - a one-off fee of about $20,000 and a permitted stay of 5 years. It is the most affordable card, but it comes without the Privilege Points that the other cards give for programme services.
- Gold Card - a one-off fee of about $27,000 and a permitted stay of 5 years. Family members cannot be included in the application.
- Platinum Card - a one-off fee of about $45,000, about $30,000 for each dependant, with a permitted stay of 10 years.
- Diamond Card - a joining fee of about $75,000, about $45,000 for each dependant, with a permitted stay of 15 years.
- Reserve Card - a one-off fee of about $150,000, about $60,000 for each dependant, with a permitted stay of 20 years. This card is issued by invitation only.
We pick the card that fits your situation and budget and guide you through the whole process.
What it costs, item by item
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card fee | from $20,000 |
| Application fee | ~$1,500, credited to the fee, non-refundable |
| Family member card | $23,000-60,000 depending on tier |
| In-country extension of stay | ~$60 |
| Police clearance and translation | free to $50 per document |
| Our support | fixed price after a free consultation |
The fee is not refunded once the card is activated, and membership can be terminated without compensation for rule breaches.
We will work out online the investment or income your family needs and what the permit costs for each member.
Who passes the check
- no criminal record or bankruptcy;
- no overstay in Thailand in the past 3 years;
- a valid passport and clean immigration history.
The check takes 4-8 weeks. Incomplete or contradictory documents are the main cause of delays.
Documents
- passport copy and photo;
- programme application form;
- police clearance on request;
- for family, marriage and birth certificates translated into English.
Steps and timeline
- Card choice and document check, 1 week.
- Application and a fee of about $1,500.
- Background check, 4-8 weeks.
- Approval and fee payment.
- Visa at an embassy or on arrival in Thailand.
- Extension of stay yearly at immigration, or by leaving and re-entering.
What the card does not give
- The right to work in Thailand: a Thai employer needs a separate work permit. Remote work for a foreign employer is tolerated in practice.
- Permanent residence or citizenship: years on the card do not count.
- Tax breaks: the same rules apply as for everyone.
Taxes
You become a Thai tax resident after 180 days in a calendar year. Since 2024 residents pay tax on foreign income remitted to Thailand. A discussed exemption for foreign income has not been enacted. The card does not affect taxes.
Privilege card or the remote work visa
| Factor | Privilege card | Remote work and soft power visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | from $20,000 | ~$300 |
| Visa term | 5-20 years | 5 years |
| Stay per entry | up to 1 year | up to 180 days, extendable by 180 |
| Funds | pay the fee | show $15,000 in the bank |
| Work for Thai employers | no | no |
If you only need a long stay and remote work, the 5-year remote work visa costs dozens of times less. The card wins on convenience: a year per entry, airport service and a single check for the whole term.
Living on the card year after year
On entry you get permission to stay up to a year. Before it ends you can extend for another year at immigration for about $60, or leave and re-enter. Foreigners staying longer than 90 consecutive days must also report their address to immigration every 90 days, which can be done online. Missing a report means a fine.
Which card to choose
- Bronze if you need a 5-year fallback at minimum cost and do not need service points. Apply by 31 December 2026.
- Gold for the same 5 years with points for transfers and airport service.
- Platinum if the family moves: 10 years and cards for spouse and children.
- Diamond and Reserve for those tying their life to Thailand for 15-20 years who value service.
If one person needs a card for 3-4 years, compare it with the remote work visa: the price gap is tenfold.
Other ways to live in Thailand long-term
| Route | Who it suits | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement visa | people aged 50+ | funds in a Thai bank or proven pension income, insurance for some categories |
| 10-year long-term resident status | wealthy people, pensioners, high-earning remote professionals and skilled specialists | high proven income or assets, separate screening |
| 5-year remote work visa | remote workers and freelancers | $15,000 in the bank |
| Work visa | employees of Thai companies | employer invitation and work permit |
The 10-year resident status gives tax advantages to some categories, and the retirement visa is cheaper than the card but needs yearly proof of funds. We choose the route by age, income and plans.
What we do
We choose the card or a cheaper visa for your goal, check documents before filing, and support the background check, payment, visa issue, yearly extensions and cards for family members. We fix our fee in writing after a free consultation.
Every way to get residency in Thailand
This is one route. All the other grounds for residency in Thailand, with conditions, amounts in dollars and timelines, are compared on How to get residency in Thailand in 2026: every route.
Advantages of a Thailand residence permit
A safe harbour
With the card you can enter Thailand at any time and stay up to a year per entry, extending in the country.
Residence for the whole family
On the Platinum, Diamond and Reserve cards you can include a spouse and dependent children in the application - they also get the right to live and study in Thailand. Working requires a separate work permit.
No residence requirement
You can get the card without living in Thailand permanently.
Affordable cost of living
Comfortable living conditions at a low cost compared with many other countries.
How to get a Thailand residence permit step by step
Preliminary check
A Murblz migration expert holds a free consultation and reviews your documents. If there are potential difficulties, they suggest a solution or another residence program.
Choosing a card
You choose the program card (Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Reserve) that fits your budget and goals.
Filing the documents
The documents and the application for the card are submitted. Once the applicant has been checked, a preliminary approval letter and an invoice for the joining fee are sent out.
Paying the fee
You pay the fee required for the card you have chosen.
Getting the residence permit
The residence permit can be issued within 2-3 months of filing the documents.
FAQ
Who can get Thailand Privilege?
How long does it take to get the visa?
Can I get Thai citizenship?
How much is the cheapest card?
How long can I stay per entry?
Can I work on the card?
How is income taxed?
What is cheaper for remote work?
Can I get cards for my family?
Do I need to report every 90 days?
Is the fee refunded if I change my mind?
Services
Murblz services in Thailand
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
See also
Related programs and destinations
All programs - Thailand:
Similar destinations:
The same program in other countries:
How to send money to Thailand in 2026 →
We can help with the transfer: ask in the chat.
Need long-term Thai residence without living there?
We compare the tiers of Thailand's long-term residence programme by term and family cover, gather the documents and support the application. The catalogue lists residence by investment elsewhere.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation