The Thailand Smart Visa program was created to increase Thailand’s appeal to scientific and technology specialists, senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs.
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What is a SMART visa?
On February 1, 2018, Thailand introduced the SMART Visa. It is a Thai government attempt to attract highly-skilled international employees or investment to the country’s designated sectors, or the so-called S-Curve industries.
The SMART Visa program was created to increase Thailand’s appeal to scientific and technology specialists, senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs.
This type of visa offers benefits that other types of visas for Thailand do not if you are eligible.
Benefits of Smart Visa Holder
Each of these four SMART Visas comes with a set of benefits, including a maximum stay of four (4) years, one-year check-ins at immigration (rather than ninety (90) days), employment eligibility for spouses and children without the requirement for work permits, and no re-entry permits.
Who Is Eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa?
If you are a highly skilled worker, investor, executive, or startup entrepreneur who wishes to work and/or invest in one of the following sectors, you are eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa:
- Next-Generation Automotive
- Smart Electronics
- Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism
- Agriculture and Biotechnology
- Food for the Future
- Automation and Robotics
- Aviation and Logistics
- Biofuels and Biochemicals
- Digital
- Medical Hub
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
- Environmental Management and Renewable Energy
Additionally, You must also meet the special SMART Visa criteria listed below.
How Many Types of Thailand SMART Visas Are There?
Thailand SMART Visas are classified into the following types:
Type | Category | Purpose |
SMART | T | Talent |
SMART | I | Investor |
SMART | E | Executive |
SMART | S | Startup Entrepreneur |
Non-Immigrant | O | Spouse and legitimate children of SMART Visa holders |
How can I get a Smart Talent Visa (Smart Visa T)?
To be eligible to apply for a Thailand Smart Talent Visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You must be an expert in one of the targeted sectors.
- You must have expertise in a chosen industry’s science and technology.
- You must earn at least 100,000 Thai Baht monthly. if you work for a startup or are a retired expert with applicable agency approvals, the monthly salary should be at least 50,000 Thai Baht.
- You must have a work/service contract that is valid for at least one year.
How can I get a Smart Investor Visa (Smart Visa I)?
To be eligible to apply for a Thailand Investor Visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You must make a direct investment of at least 20 million Thai Baht in a technology-based enterprise in one of Thailand’s designated sectors, individually or through a venture capital company.
- Invest at least 5 million Thai Baht in a Thailand-based company or incubation/accelerator program.
- Invest in a company that uses technology to manufacture or provide services in one of the targeted sectors.
How Can I Get A Smart Executive Visa (Smart Visa E)
To be eligible to apply for a Thailand Smart Executive Visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You are a senior management role at a technology-based company in one of the targeted sectors, such as Chairman or Managing Director.
- A monthly salary of at least 200,000 Thai Baht is required.
- You must have a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience working in one of the appropriate disciplines.
- You must have a valid work/service contract for at least one year.
How Can I Get A Smart Startup Visa (Smart Visa S)
To be eligible to apply for a Thailand Smart Startup Visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You must have started a business in one of the targeted sectors in Thailand.
- You must own at least 25% of the company’s registered capital or be a director on the board of directors.
- You must have a deposit of at least 600,000 Thai Baht (or its equivalent) in a Thai or foreign bank account that you have kept for at least three (3) months.
- You must have health insurance that covers your whole stay in Thailand.
How Can I Get A Smart Non-Immigrant O Visa (Smart Visa O)
To be eligible to apply for a Thailand Smart Non-Immigrant O Visa, you must be the main SMART Visa holder’s spouse and/or dependant legitimate child (biological or adoptive).
What Are The Benefits Of The SMART Visa?
If you are eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa, you can enjoy larger benefits than other Thai visas, such as:
- Based on the duration of your employment or service contract, you may be eligible for a visa for up to four years.
- You do not require a Thai Work Permit to work in one of the eligible companies.
- You do not need to report your stay to Immigration every 90 days. Instead, you must report every year.
- You do not need a Thai Re-Entry Permit.
- Your spouse and children over 18 can work in Thailand without a Thai work permit, providing employment is not on the list of forbidden foreign vocations.
Smart Visa Requirements:
You’ll need the following documents to apply for a Smart Visa:
- The printed Smart Visa application form for the visa type you are applying for.
- Your valid passport.
- Evidence of a clean criminal record. Police Certificate from your nation of birth. A Notary Public must certify this certificate.
- If you are in Thailand, attach a Police Certificate from the Thai authorities.
- Health Certificate. Valid for three months, it must indicate you are not sick with one of the forbidden illnesses (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Addiction (Drug/Alcoholism), or Third Phase Syphilis). A Notary Public must certify this certificate.
- Copies of any academic qualifications, certifications, or endorsements on your area of expertise (this is not necessary for the Smart Visa O).
- Copies of any publications, research projects, intellectual property, and prizes that you have received (this is not necessary for the Smart Visa O).
- Former employment proof, such as a letter from your previous company (this is not necessary for the Smart Visa O).
- Power of attorney must be included in any application submitted on behalf of someone else.
1- Additional documents required for Smart Visa T
- Your job or service contract, stating a minimum of one year and your position and compensation.
- The annual report of the employing company.
2- Additional documents required for SMART Visa I
- A list of the company’s shareholders that is no more than three months old, or another document that demonstrates the ownership of the shares and the company’s valuation.
- A company’s most recent annual report, brochures, and catalogs, as well as its most recent consolidated financial statements (if applicable).
3- Additional documents required for SMART Visa E
- Your job or service contract, which must be for a minimum of one year and include information on your position and pay.
- The organizational structure of the company.
- A company’s most recent annual report, brochures, and catalogs, as well as its most recent consolidated financial statements (if applicable).
- The company’s shareholder list, which is no more than three months old.
4- Additional documents required for Smart Visa S
- An overview of your business strategy (Pitch Deck).
- The company’s shareholder list and/or a transfer slip that is no more than three months old.
- The company’s annual report, brochures, catalogs, and the newest business annual financial statement (if applicable).
- Evidence of admission into the accelerator or incubator program.
- Proof of involvement in startup marketing activities.
- Proof that you have a deposit of at least 600,000 Thai Baht or its equivalent in a Thai bank account or in your country of residence, which you have held for at least 3 months. If you have dependent family members, the deposit should be increased to 180,000 Thai Baht per person.
- Proof of health insurance that covers your whole stay in Thailand.
5- Additional documents required for Smart Visa O
- Copy of the principal Smart Visa holder’s passport.
- Proof of familial ties.
- If you will work in Thailand: service contract, which must be for a minimum of one year and must include information on your job and pay.
- If you are with a Smart Visa S holder:
- Proof of health insurance for your whole stays in Thailand.
- Proof of a minimum deposit of 600,000 Thai Baht, plus an extra 180,000 Thai Baht per dependent person.
How Can I Apply for a Thailand Smart Visa?
The procedure for acquiring a Thailand Smart Visa differs from those of other types of visas in that your credentials must be validated and certified by the appropriate Thai agency. Here’s how to apply:
- Create an account and apply online at the Smart Visa website.
- Attach electronic (PDF) copies of all of the Smart Visa’s needed documents.
- The One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) in Thailand is notified by the Thai authorities that will certify your credentials.
- The OSS then notifies you of the result of your application.
- You take the Qualification Endorsement Letter and physical copies of the needed documents and apply for a visa at one of the following locations.
- If you are living abroad: at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General, here is a list of Thailand’s diplomatic missions.
- If you are living in Thailand:
- The Immigration at One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit(OSS) in Bangkok.
- The EEC Labour Administration Center in Chonburi.
How Long Does a Thailand Smart Visa Take to Process?
The processing time for a Thailand Smart Visa application is as follows:
- Initial online application processing time: 3 working days.
- Processing time for your qualifications to be endorsed: 30 working days
- Time required to process an application for a Smart visa at an overseas mission /OSS/EEC: it is dependent on the particular office to which you apply. It might take anything from 2 to 10 business days.
Thailand Smart Visa with FAQs
How Much Does Thailand SMART Visa cost?
The application fee for a Thai SMART Visa is 10,000 Thai Baht per year. However, according to the local currency of the country where you apply, the actual amount will differ.
How long is a Thai SMART Visa Valid?
The Thailand Smart Visa is valid for one (1) year and up to four (4) years.
Can you Extend a Thailand Smart Visa?
Yes, you can. You must apply for a Thailand Smart Visa extension at least 60 days before your existing visa expires. You must re-apply for a qualification endorsement and then apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau at the One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS).
The Smart Visa renewal fee is 10,000 Thai Baht per year.
Can foreigners register a company in Thailand?
Unless part of a special Board of Investment program, a Thai citizen must possess the majority of shares in a Thai firm. Foreigners may own up to 49% of a Thai corporation.
What is a Nomad visa?
In other words, a digital nomad visa permits you to work remotely from a country other than your own.
