Moving your family to Thailand is the dream of a lifetime. The vibrant culture, warm hospitality, world-class international schools, and incredible quality of life offer an unparalleled upbringing for your children. But ask any expat parent, and they will tell you the single greatest source of stress: visa instability.
Annual renewals, the anxiety of changing regulations, and the limitations of standard dependent visas can cast a shadow over your family’s future. How can you confidently enroll your child in a 7-year IB program when your visa is only valid for 12 months at a time? This guide explores the definitive solution: the Thailand Privilege Platinum Package, a 10-year visa program designed specifically for families.
The Core Challenge for Expat Families: Constant Visa Uncertainty
For most families, the visa journey is a stressful patchwork. You might start on an Education (ED) Visa for your child, which ties your family’s right to stay to their school enrollment. Or you might use a Non-Immigrant “O” (Dependent) visa, which comes with its own set of challenges.
The Problem with Standard Thai Visas
- Annual Renewals: Most visas require a time-consuming and costly renewal process every single year.
- Strict Financial Proof: Many long-term visas require you to show hundreds of thousands of baht seasoned in a Thai bank account, creating financial inflexibility.
- The “Age-Out” Crisis: This is the biggest fear for parents. Most standard dependent visas expire when your child turns 20. This means your child could be in the middle of their university studies in Thailand and suddenly lose their legal right to stay, forcing them onto a different, often difficult, visa.
What is the Thailand Privilege Platinum Package?
The Platinum Package is a 10-year membership in the Thailand Privilege program, a government-owned initiative. It is designed for individuals and families who want to eliminate all visa-related stress and secure their long-term future in the Kingdom.
It provides a 10-year, multiple-entry visa (issued as a 5-year visa, with one 5-year extension included) and a suite of VIP benefits. For a family, it’s not just a visa; it’s a 10-year peace of mind guarantee.
Why the 10-Year Platinum Visa is Built for Families
The Platinum Package is the most popular choice for families because it’s the first tier that allows you to add dependents—and it does so in a way that solves all the core problems of other visas.
One Simple Application for Everyone
Instead of navigating separate, complex visa applications for each family member, you complete one straightforward application. This includes the main applicant and all dependents (spouse, children, or even parents) at the same time.
The Ultimate Benefit: No Age Limit for Children
This is the most critical feature for parents. Unlike a Non-Immigrant “O” visa that expires when your child turns 20, the Platinum dependent visa is valid for the full 10-year duration of the membership.
This means you can apply when your child is 12, and their visa will still be valid when they are 22 and finishing university. This benefit alone is the reason so many families choose the Platinum package for securing their children’s education.
A Stress-Free Arrival: The VIP Airport Welcome for Your Family
The benefits begin the moment you land. Any parent who has juggled tired children, carry-on bags, and passports in a 90-minute immigration queue will understand the immense value of this.
As a Platinum member, your entire family is greeted at the aerobridge by an Elite Personal Assistant (EPA). You are then escorted to a private electric cart, taken directly to the Premium fast-track immigration lane, and assisted with your baggage. This transforms a stressful arrival into a seamless, calm, and luxurious welcome home.
Securing Your Children’s Education in Thailand
The stability of the 10-year Platinum visa is a game-changer for your children’s academic future.
The Stability International Schools Require
Top international schools in Thailand have multi-year programs. The Platinum visa provides these schools with the confidence that your family has a stable, long-term legal right to reside in the Kingdom. It removes any questions about your “visa status” during the admissions process and for the entire duration of their schooling.
The Financials: Cost vs. Long-Term Value
The Platinum Package requires a one-time membership fee, with no annual renewals.
- Main Applicant: 1,500,000 THB
- Each Dependent (Spouse, Child, Parent): 1,000,000 THB
For a family of four, this would be 4,500,000 THB, which averages 450,000 THB per year for the entire family’s 10-year visa, VIP services, and benefits.
A Critical Limited-Time Family Promotion
From July 1 to September 30, 2025, Thailand Privilege is running a remarkable family promotion. The fee for each dependent on a Platinum package is reduced by 50%, from 1,000,000 THB to just 500,000 THB.
This is a limited-time opportunity that makes securing your family’s future more accessible than ever.
Shared Family Benefits to Enhance Your Life
The Platinum membership comes with 35 privilege points for the family to share each year. These points can be redeemed for a variety of “quality of life” services.
Your 35-Point Family “Fun Fund”
Think of your 35 points as an annual family benefits pool. You can use them for:
- An annual health check-up for one family member.
- A luxury spa treatment for parents.
- Airport transfers in a limousine.
- Dental care.
Concierge Services for Family Life
The program’s “Elite Personal Liaison” (EPL) service can be redeemed with points to handle major life admin tasks. For a small point cost, an EPL can assist your family with opening a Thai bank account or acquiring a Thai driver’s license.
How the Platinum Package Compares to Other Family Visas
| Feature | Thailand Privilege Platinum | Standard Non-O (Dependent) |
| Visa Validity | 10 Years (One-time application) | 1 Year (Requires annual renewal) |
| Financial Proof | None after initial fee | Annual proof of income or 400k THB in bank |
| Child Age Limit | None (Valid for full 10 years) | Expires at age 20 |
| 90-Day Reporting | Can be handled by staff (for 1 point) | Must be done in person |
| Airport Service | Unlimited VIP Fast-Track | Standard immigration queues |
A Simple Application for Your Whole Family
The application process is designed for simplicity. You do not need to provide income statements, bank books, or letters from schools. You will need:
- Application forms for each family member
- Passport copies
- A recent photo
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificate)
The entire background check and approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks.
How many family members can I add to the Platinum Package?
You can add any number of “immediate family” members to your Platinum membership. This includes your legal spouse (with a marriage certificate), your children (with a birth certificate), and even your parents. Each added member pays the dependent fee.
Is there an age limit for children as dependents?
No. This is the single most important benefit for families. Unlike regular Thai dependent visas that often have an age cut-off of 20, the Thailand Privilege program allows you to add children of any age. They will be granted the same 10-year visa as the primary member, securing their legal residency through high school and university.
Do we still have to do 90-day reporting?
Yes, the 90-day report (TM47) is a mandatory requirement for all foreigners in Thailand, regardless of visa type. However, the Platinum Package turns this into a simple convenience. Instead of going to the immigration office yourself, you can use 1 privilege point to have the Elite Personal Liaison staff complete the report on your behalf.
Can my children attend school on this visa?
Absolutely. The Thailand Privilege visa is a long-term tourist visa. International schools and universities in Thailand are very familiar with it and will accept it for enrollment. It provides the school with more security than an annual education (ED) visa.
What is the total cost for a family of four during the 2025 promotion?
During the special promotion (valid from July 1 to September 30, 2025), the cost for a family of four would be 3,000,000 THB. This is calculated as:
- Main Applicant: 1,500,000 THB
- Spouse (Promo Fee): 500,000 THB
- Child 1 (Promo Fee): 500,000 THB
- Child 2 (Promo Fee): 500,000 THBThis one-time payment secures your entire family’s visa and benefits for 10 years.
If you want to visit these places regularly, apply for a Thailand Privilege visa on thailandelite.net.
References
- Thai Immigration Bureau: https://www.immigration.go.th/
