Who Is Eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa?
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You are eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa if you are a highly-skilled worker, investor, executive or a startup entrepreneur who wants to work and/or invest in one of the following industries:
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 fulfill the specific requirements of each type of SMART Visa, as detailed below.
How Many Types of Thailand SMART Visas Are There?
The Thailand SMART Visa is categorized into the following types:
SMART Visa “T”, for foreign Talents
SMART Visa “I”, for foreign Investors
SMART Visa “E”, for foreign Executives
SMART Visa “S”, for foreign technology-based startup Entrepreneurs
SMART Visa “O”, for the family members (dependents spouse and children) of one of the main SMART Visa holders above
How do I qualify for a SMART Visa “T”?
To qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa T, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
You must be a highly-skilled professional in one of the targeted industries
You must be skilled in science and technology which is related to one of the targeted industries
You must have a monthly income of at least 100,000 Thai Baht
If you will work for a startup or you are a retired expert who has endorsements from a relevant agency, the monthly income should be at least 50,000 Thai Baht
You must have a work/service contract with a validity of at least 1 year
How do I qualify for a SMART Visa “I”?
To qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa I, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
You must directly invest at least 20 million Thai Baht in a technology-based business in one of the targeted industries in Thailand, individually or through a venture capital company.
Invest at least 5 million Thai Baht in a startup or an incubation/accelerator program in Thailand endorsed by the relevant agencies.
The business you invest in has to be technology-based in manufacturing or delivering services in one of the targeted industries
How do I qualify for a SMART Visa “E”?
To qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa E, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
You must have a senior management position such as a Chairman or a Managing Director in a technology-based company in one of the targeted industries.
You must have a monthly income of at least 200,000 Thai Baht.
You must have at least a Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of work experience in one of the relevant fields.
You must have a work/service contract with a validity of at least 1 year
How do I qualify for a SMART Visa “S”?
To qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa S, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
You must have established a startup company in Thailand in one of the targeted industries
You must hold at least 25% of the company’s registered capital or be in the position of a director in the company
You must 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.
You must have health insurance covering the duration of your stay in Thailand
How do I qualify for a SMART Visa “O”?
To qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa O, you have to be the spouse and/or the dependent legitimate child (biological or adopted) of the main SMART Visa holder.
What Are the Benefits of the SMART Visa?
If you qualify for a Thailand SMART Visa, you can enjoy benefits which are greater than those of other types of Thai visas, such as:
Your visa can be issued for up to fours years, provided that that’s the duration of your work or service contract
You do not need to apply for a Thai Work Permit to work in one of the eligible companies.
You do not have to report your stay to Immigration every 90 days. Instead, you have to report your stay every year.
You do not have to apply for a Thai Re-Entry Permit.
Your spouse and children over 18 are allowed to work in Thailand without having to get a work permit, provided that the job is not on the list of occupations and professions prohibited to foreigners.
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
The employment or service contract, which must be for a minimum duration of one year and the details of your employment, showing the position and salary.
The company’s annual report, brochures, catalogs, and the latest annual financial statement of the company.
The up to date list of shareholders.
Additional documents required for SMART Visa S
An overview of your business plan
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.
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.
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