What is a Smart Visa?

Thailand has been actively pursuing innovative strategies to drive its economy forward. In line with this vision, the Thai Government has implemented initiatives to attract talented individuals and cutting-edge technologies, aiming to further advance its targeted industries known as the S-Curve industries. To strengthen Thailand’s appeal and encourage the influx of science and technology experts, senior executives, investors, and startups, the SMART Visa program was introduced. This program was officially launched on February 1, 2018.

The SMART Visa represents a groundbreaking visa category designed specifically to attract highly skilled professionals and investors, thus propelling the growth and development of Thailand’s targeted industries. This visa is made available to foreign experts, executives, entrepreneurs, and investors who aspire to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of employment or investment in the country’s 13 S-Curve industries, which serve as the primary focus for economic development.

Targeted Industries

1. Automotive Industry   
2. Food for the future
3. Smart Electronics Industry 
4. BioFuel and BioChemical Industry
5. Automation and Robotic
6. Agriculture, Food and Biotechnology Industry 
7. Digital Industry 
8. Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism
9. Medical Hub
10. Alternative Dispute Resolution
11. Aviation, logistics and Aerospace Industry 
12. Human Resource Development in Science and Technology 
13. Environmental Management and Renewable Energy 

TYPES OF SMART VISA

“Smart T Visa” (Talent)

Qualifications and Criteria

The applicant must have a minimum monthly income of 100,000 Baht or its equivalent. However, if the applicant is an expert with an employment contract with a startup or a retired expert with endorsements from a relevant agency, a minimum income of 50,000 Baht per month is required.

The applicant should have an employment or service contract with an entity based in Thailand. The remaining duration of the contract must be at least 1 year.

The applicant must possess expertise in science and technology that is relevant to the targeted industries. This expertise should be endorsed by an agency affiliated with the Strategic Talent Center (STC) network.

The employers in Thailand must also be endorsed for their involvement in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies, such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency.

Privileges

The SMART Visa allows for a maximum renewal period of 4 years, which should not exceed the term of the employment or service contract. For experts working for startups, the maximum renewal period is 2 years.

No work permit is required for individuals working in endorsed companies. However, if there are changes in employment, additional endorsements must be obtained in accordance with the relevant requirements.

The requirement for reporting to the Immigration at the One Stop Service Center is extended from 90 days to 1 year.

There is no need for a re-entry permit when traveling outside of Thailand.

The spouse and children of the SMART Visa holder are granted permission to stay in Thailand for the same duration as the visa holder. The spouse is also allowed to work without needing a work permit.

SMART Visa holders have access to a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand, where available.

SMART S (Startup)

Technology-based startup entrepreneurs in the targeted industries Application for 2-year visa: Foreigners who have already established a certified startup company in Thailand.

Qualifications and Criteria

To be eligible for the SMART Visa as a startup entrepreneur in Thailand, the following criteria must be met:

The startup company must be certified as being in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) and Digital Economy Promotion Agency.

The applicant must hold at least 25% of the company’s registered capital or hold a position as a director in the aforementioned company.

A deposit of no less than 600,000 Baht or its equivalent must be held in a bank account in Thailand or the applicant’s country of nationality or residence for a minimum of 3 months.

If the applicant is accompanied by a spouse and children, an additional deposit of no less than 180,000 Baht per person or its equivalent is required in a bank account in Thailand or the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, which must also be held for a minimum of 3 months.

Health insurance coverage for the entire duration of stay in Thailand is mandatory for the applicant, spouse, and children.

Privileges

1. Maximum renewable 2-year visa.
2. No work permit required for working in the business certified by relevant agencies. In case of changes of jobs, additional endorsements in accordance with the relevant requirements must be obtained.
3. 90-day reporting to the Immigration at the One Stop Service Center extended to 1 year.
4. No re-entry permit required.
5. Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand for the same duration as the Smart visa holder. The spouse granted permission to work with no work permit required.
6. Access to a fast -track service at international airports in Thailand (where available).

SMART I (Investor)

Qualifications and Criteria

1. Minimum investment of either of the following amounts:
   • Directly investing in technology-based business in the targeted industries in Thailand, as an individual investor or through a venture capital company in Thailand for a total amount of at least 20 million Baht.
   • Directly investing as an individual investor for a total amount of at least 5 million Baht in a startup or an incubation or accelerator program endorsed by relevant agencies. The investor can invest in more than 1 business but must maintain the investment throughout the validity period of Smart Visa.
2. The business to be set up or invested in must be certified as technology-based in manufacturing or delivering services in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), Digital Economy Promotion Agency, and National Science and Technology Development Agency.
3. In case of investing through a venture capital company, the investment must be certified by relevant agencies as being either a venture capital company investing in the technology-based business in manufacturing or delivering services in the targeted industries.

Privileges

1. Maximum renewable 4-year visa.
2. No work permit required for working with an entity or government agency. In case of changes of jobs, additional endorsements in accordance with the relevant requirements must be obtained.
3. 90-day reporting to the Immigration at the One Stop Service Center extended to 1 year.
4. No re-entry permit required.
5. Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand for the same duration as the Smart visa holder. The spouse granted permission to work with no work permit required.
6. Access to a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand (where available).

SMART E (Executive)

Qualifications and Criteria

1. Minimum income of no less than 200,000 Baht/month or equivalent.
2. Having a Bachelor’s degree or above or equivalent with at least 10 years of work experience in the relevant fields.
3. Having an employment or service contract with an entity in Thailand. The remaining term of such contract must be at least 1 year.
4. Holding a senior management position such as Chairman or Managing Director.
5. The employing companies must be certified as being technology-based in manufacturing or delivering services in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), Digital Economy Promotion Agency, and National Science and Technology Development Agency.

Privileges

1. Maximum renewable 4-year visa, but not exceeding the employment/service contract term.
2. No work permit required for working in the position or company certified by relevant agencies. In case of changes of jobs, additional endorsements in accordance with the relevant requirements must be obtained.
3. 90-day reporting to the Immigration at the One Stop Service Center extended to 1 year.
4. No re-entry permit required.
5. Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand for the same duration as the Smart visa holder. The spouse granted permission to work with no work permit required.
6. Access to a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand (where available).

SMART O (Other)

Qualifications and Criteria

1. Must be the legal dependants (spouse and children) of Smart visa holder Type ” T “, ” I “, ” E ” and ” S ” (except those who are granted only 6-month visa)
2. Children must be under 20 years old (Except children of Smart “T” holders who are over 20 years old can apply for Smart “O” under certain conditions).
3. Spouses and children must have an additional amount of deposit of no less than 180,000 Baht per person or equivalent is required in a bank account in Thailand or in the country of his/her nationality or residence, which has been held for at least 3 months. (Only for Smart “S” followers)
4. Having health insurance covering the entire period of stay in Thailand for the applicant as well as spouse and children. (Only for Smart “S” followers)

Privileges

1. The children of Smart “T” holder and spouse granted permission to stay and work with no work permit required for the same duration as the Smart visa holder. Children granted permission to stay for the same duration as the Smart visa holder.
2. No work permit required for working in the endorsed companies. In case of changes of jobs, additional endorsements in accordance with the relevant requirements must be obtained. (Only children of Smart “T” can work and must be at least 18 years old. The jobs must not be on the prohibited list of occupations and professions for foreigners)
3. 90-day reporting to the Immigration at the One Stop Service Center extended to 1 year.
4. No re-entry permit required.
5. Access to a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand (where available).

How to Apply

Applicants for the SMART Visa must meet specific qualifications outlined by the Office of the Board of Investment. These qualifications will undergo verification by relevant agencies. Once technical and non-technical endorsements have been obtained, the SMART Visa unit will issue a letter of qualification endorsement to the applicant. This endorsement letter must be presented at the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Consulates (for applicants residing overseas) or at the Immigration Bureau’s One Stop Center for Visas and Work Permits or EEC Labour Administration Center in Chonburi for the SMART Visa application process.

To apply for qualification endorsement and SMART Visa issuance, please follow the procedures outlined below:

1. Register online for qualification endorsement application for SMART Visa on the official website https://smart-visa.boi.go.th. Activate your online account by following the instructions provided in the confirmation email.
2. Complete the application form for the specific type of SMART Visa you wish to apply for (T, I, E, S, and O if applicable). Ensure that you have a PDF version of all the required documents ready for uploading and submission. By submitting the online application, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the qualification endorsement requirements.
3. After submitting the application form and required documents, OSS (One Stop Service) will review your application within 30 working days. The result of the qualification endorsement application will be communicated to you, as well as to the Immigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant agencies.
4. Once your application has been qualified and endorsed, you can proceed with applying for SMART Visa issuance. This must be done within 60 days from the issuance date of the endorsement letter, which will be one of the supporting documents required. The processing fee for SMART Visa issuance is 10,000 Baht per year of visa permission, payable in cash.
5. You can apply for SMART Visa issuance at either the Royal Thai Embassies or the Royal Thai Consulate Generals (if you reside overseas), or at the Immigration Office located at the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) in the Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok. Additionally, if applicable, you can also apply at the EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) Labour Administration Center in Chonburi.

SMART Visa Requirements

When you apply for a SMART Visa, you need the following supporting documents:

• The printout of the SMART Visa application form, as per the specific type of visa you are applying for.
• Your passport.
• Proof of a clean criminal record. Police Certificate issued by the police authorities in your country of nationality. The certificate has to be certified by a Notary Public.
• If you are in Thailand, also include a Police Certificate issued by the police authorities in Thailand.
• Health Certificate. It must be issued in the past three months showing you are not infected with one of the prohibited diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Addiction (Drug/Alcoholism), or Third Phase Syphilis). The certificate has to be certified by a Notary Public.
• Copies of any academic qualifications, certificates, or endorsements you have that are related to your area of expertise (not required for SMART Visa O).
• Copies of any publications, research projects, intellectual property and awards you may have (not required for SMART Visa O).
• Proof of previous employment, such as a letter from your previous employer (not required for SMART Visa O).
• If someone else is submitting the application on your behalf: include the power of attorney.
• For the SMART Visa S and SMART Visa O: Proof of health insurance covering the duration of your stay in Thailand.

Additional documents required for SMART Visa T

• Your employment or service contract, showing a minimum duration of one year as well as the details of your employment, including the position and salary.
• The hiring company’s annual report

Additional documents required for SMART Visa I

• The company’s list of shareholders, which is not older than three months, or alternatively, another document which shows the ownership of the shares and company value
• The company’s annual report, brochures, catalogs, and the latest annual financial statement of the corporate (if applicable)

Documents required for SMART Visa E

• Your employment or service contract, showing a minimum duration of one year as well as the details of your employment, including the position and salary.
• The corporate’s organization chart
• The company’s annual report, brochures, catalogs, and the latest annual financial statement of the corporate (if applicable)
• The company’s list of shareholders, which is not older than 3 months

Additional documents required for SMART Visa S

• An overview of your business plan (Pitch Deck)
• The company’s list of shareholders and/or a transfer slip, which is not older than 3 months
• The company’s annual report, brochures, catalogs, and the latest annual financial statement of the corporate (if applicable)
• Proof of acceptance into the incubation or accelerator program.
• Proof of participation in startup promotion activities
• Proof you have a deposit of at least 600,000 Thai Baht or its equivalent in a bank account in Thailand or in your country of residence, which you have held for at least 3 months.
  • If you have dependent family members with you, the deposit should be an additional 180,000 Thai Baht per person.

Additional documents required for SMART Visa O

• Passport copy of the main SMART Visa holder
• Proof of family relationship
• If you will work in Thailand: Your employment or service contract, showing a minimum duration of one year as well as the details of your employment, including the position and salary.
• If you are accompanying a  Smart Visa “S” holder:
  • Proof of the deposit of at least 600,000 Thai Baht with an additional 180,000 Thai Baht per dependent person.

Extend a Thailand SMART Visa?

You can apply for an extension of your Thailand SMART Visa at least 60 days before your current visa expires. You have to re-apply for an endorsement of your qualifications and then submit the application for extension at the Immigration Bureau at the One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS).

The cost of renewal of the SMART Visa is 10,000 Thai Baht per year.

Please note that the specific requirements and procedures may be subject to change, so it is recommended to consult the official or reliable sources and guidelines provided by the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.