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TM30: Do Thailand Elite Visa Holders Need to File?

Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the TM30 specifically in the context of the Thailand Elite Visa.

I have had this question come up in the past couple of months more frequently especially since the TM30 has been more heavily enforced. The TM30 sort of has taken a lot of people aback here in the Kingdom because for a prolonged period of time, it was on the books but it was never enforced and it is being enforced with a great deal more frequency now. The questions I have recently had pertain to many types of visas but the Elite Visa seems to be the most confusing and I think the reason for the confusion is people don't understand the underlying status that is conveyed by a Thailand Elite Visa sticker. 

Let's start off with going through what type of status is one granted in Thailand Elite?  Well for lack of a better term, basically it is a really long tourist visa. It is not a Business Visa; it is not an O Visa. It is a Thailand Elite Visa. It has certain VIP characteristics to it, notably those that enter in to the Kingdom are granted a 1 year stamps on that particular type of visa and that one year, you can extend it here in country or one can simply leave and return and get another 1 year stamp.

One question that has come up a lot from folks is "Does TM30 apply?" I think one should probably look at the question, ”Does the 90-day reporting apply?" as well. Well they both do. The fact of the matter is Thailand Elite is a Non-immigrant Visa. It is a special category. It is sort of a VIP category, but it remains a Non-immigrant Visa so I think as TM30 becomes more of an issue, I think it is more and more likely we are going to see it enforced against Elite Visa holders. How exactly it is enforced remains to be seen.  For example, 90-day reporting is often done by for lack of better term a concierge with Thailand Elite. I think it is safe to presume the TM30 may be done in a similar manner. That being stated, Thailand Elite is not going to be aware of when one moves around within the Kingdom so TM30s may be filed and may need to be refiled as someone travels around. 

So the thing to take away from this video is yes TM30 does apply to Thailand Elite Visa holders. Notwithstanding the fact that it is a VIP status, it remains a Non-immigrant Visa and therefore, at least in my reading of the regulations those that are in Elite status need to adhere to the rules pertaining to TM30.