Thailand SMART Visa. The SMART Visa is Thailand’s advanced long-stay visa system introduced in 2018 to attract foreign professionals, executives, investors, and entrepreneurs involved in innovation-driven and high-tech industries. It is an initiative aligned with Thailand’s “Thailand 4.0” policy, aimed at shifting the economy toward high value-added sectors through foreign expertise and investment.
The visa program allows qualified foreigners to live and work in Thailand with expanded rights and fewer bureaucratic hurdles compared to standard visas.
The SMART Visa is a product of coordinated governance between:
Board of Investment (BOI) – Primary screening and endorsement body
Immigration Bureau – Visa issuance and compliance enforcement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) – Overseas processing
Ministry of Labour – Oversight of work-related eligibility
National Innovation Agency (NIA) – Startup-related endorsements
The program’s legal basis lies in executive orders and ministerial regulations issued under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), allowing flexible conditions for certain target sectors.
There are five main types of SMART Visas:
| Type | Applicant Profile |
|---|---|
| SMART T (Talent) | Foreign experts employed in target industries |
| SMART I (Investor) | Investors in technology-focused Thai firms |
| SMART E (Executive) | Senior executives in eligible Thai companies |
| SMART S (Startup) | Entrepreneurs launching startups in tech sectors |
| SMART O (Other) | Spouse and children of SMART Visa holders |
Each classification has specific eligibility, term limits, and rights.
SMART Visas are available to applicants in the following BOI-endorsed industries:
Next-generation automotive
Smart electronics
Affluent medical tourism
Biotechnology
Robotics and automation
Aviation and logistics
Agriculture and food technology
Digital economy and fintech
Medical devices
Environmental management and alternative energy
Defense technology (select cases)
Applicants must prove involvement in these industries via company documents, employment contracts, investment evidence, or business plans.
Valid job offer in a BOI-endorsed industry
Minimum salary: THB 100,000/month (lower for startup work or researchers)
Minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant field
Endorsement by BOI and/or sector-specific government agencies
Minimum direct investment of THB 20 million in technology-driven companies in targeted sectors
Company must be registered and active in Thailand
Investment must be equity-based (not loans)
Senior role (e.g., managing director) in a qualified company
Minimum 10 years of professional experience
Annual salary ≥ THB 200,000
Employment contract valid for ≥ 1 year
Business incorporation in Thailand (within 1 year of visa issuance)
Minimum THB 600,000 in a Thai bank (held for ≥ 3 months)
Endorsement from a Thai incubator or accelerator program
Business must be in a targeted sector
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Up to 4-Year Visa | SMART T/I/E holders can receive up to 4 years without renewal; SMART S is initially valid for 1 year |
| Work Permit Exemption | No separate work permit is required; SMART Visa itself authorizes work |
| Multiple Re-Entry Rights | Freely enter and exit Thailand during visa validity |
| Family Privileges | Spouses and children (SMART O) may stay and, in some cases, work |
| Reduced Immigration Reporting | Annual notification instead of 90-day check-ins |
| Tax Incentives (SMART T) | Eligibility for a flat 17% personal income tax rate if employed in targeted sectors |
Submit documents to the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) or EEC OSS
BOI performs technical screening and forwards to relevant agencies for sector-specific endorsement
If endorsed, a qualification endorsement letter is issued within ~30 business days
Visa can be obtained from a Thai consulate abroad or from the Immigration Bureau (if applicant is already in Thailand)
Processed simultaneously through Department of Employment, integrated with the visa
Must notify authorities of any job change or business restructuring
Continued eligibility (e.g., income, company activity) is required for renewal or retention
Work rights are limited to designated employers or ventures
Spouse work rights must be requested separately under SMART O (if qualified)
A SMART Visa may be revoked if:
False documents were used in application
Holder’s employment or business ceases without notification
Holder commits an immigration or criminal offense
Company or startup loses BOI endorsement or becomes inactive
Revocation results in loss of residence and work rights; reapplication is barred for a period determined by immigration officers.
The SMART Visa is a carefully designed regulatory mechanism to facilitate controlled migration of skilled professionals and investors in priority economic sectors. It grants privileges beyond those of conventional visas but also demands strict compliance with eligibility, employment, and reporting criteria.
It is not a mass-market visa and is most appropriate for individuals who can demonstrably contribute to Thailand’s innovation-based economic agenda.