Thailand’s Board of Investment has been issuing SMART Visas since 2018, and many expats and their families have benefited from the convenience this visa offers.
Initially, the SMART Visa was designed for investors, highly skilled professionals, and startups in Thailand. However, with the introduction of the LTR visa and the DTV visa, the SMART Visa has now effectively become a startup-focused visa.
With this visa, you can stay in Thailand for up to two years at a time. It is renewable, and you can also bring your spouse and children with you.
So, what exactly is the SMART Visa, who qualifies for it, and how do you apply? We answer all your questions and walk you through the entire process in this guide.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- The SMART Visa, run by Thailand’s Board of Investment, has narrowed over time into mainly a startup visa, since investors, talent, and executives are now steered toward the LTR visa instead.
- It is not for digital nomads or freelancers. You need to run or invest in a qualifying Thai company to be eligible.
- Only two types remain: SMART S for tech startup founders, and SMART O for the holder’s spouse and children.
- SMART S requires a company in a targeted industry, at least 25 percent of its shares or a director role, THB600,000 in a Thai bank account for three months, and health insurance.
- The perks are generous: a renewable two-year stay, no work permit needed, yearly reporting instead of every 90 days, no re-entry permits, and airport fast-track.
- A spouse on a SMART O can also work in Thailand without a work permit, and needs THB180,000 per person in the bank plus health insurance.
- You apply online through the BOI’s SMART Visa website. Approval takes about 30 days, and the government fee is THB10,000 a year, making it Thailand’s second-priciest visa after the Privilege Visa.
What Is It?
The SMART Visa is a type of visa for those who want to run a startup company in Thailand. The program is managed by Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and is a reflection of Thailand’s efforts to attract a variety of experts, senior managers, and investors to either work or invest in startup companies in Thailand.
It’s important to know that the SMART Visa isn’t for digital nomads or freelancers. To qualify for a SMART Visa, you need to either work in the country or invest in a company in Thailand.
Benefits
The SMART Visa comes with a list of benefits. With it:
- you get a maximum 2-year renewable visa
- you don’t need to get a work permit to work in Thailand as long as you work in a business certified by relevant agencies
- you only have to check in at the immigration once a year instead of every 90 days
- you don’t need a re-entry permit every time you leave Thailand
- you have access to the fast-track service at Thailand airports for international flights
- it’s possible for your spouse to work in Thailand without having to have a work permit
SMART Visa Types and Requirements
Previously, there were many types of SMART Visas, including SMART I (Investor), SMART T (Talent), SMART E (Executive), SMART S (Startup), and SMART O (Other).
Now, only two types remain: SMART S (Startup) and SMART O (Other, for bringing your spouse and children).
For investors, talent, and executives, the Thailand LTR Visa is now the main alternative.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need for each type of SMART Visa.
SMART S (Startup)
The SMART S (Startup) is currently the main type of SMART visa. It’s for anyone who have a startup business in Thailand. Right now, the business must be a technology-based startup.
To get a SMART S Visa, you need to have:
- a company in Thailand in one of the targeted industries*
- at least 25 percent of the company shares, or be the company director
- at least THB600,000 in your Thai bank account for three months
- health insurance
Targeted industries can change at any time. Check the BOI website for the most up-to-date list.
SMART O (Other)
The SMART O Visa is for legal partners or children of the SMART Visa holder. To qualify as a legal partner, there are three main requirements:
- you must be married to the SMART Visa holder and hold a marriage certificate.
- if you want to apply for the SMART O Visa for your children, they must be under 20 years old.
- you need to have at least THB180,000 per person in a Thai bank account during the last 3 months
- you need health insurance for your entire duration in Thailand.
That said, the SMART O Visa holder gets similar benefits as holders to other types of visas, such as:
- a renewable visa, with the length of stay similar to the main SMART Visa holder
- the ability to work in Thailand without a work permit
- one-year reporting instead of every 90 days
- the ability to leave Thailand without having to apply for re-entry permits
- access to the fast-track service at Thailand airports for international flights
Where and How to Apply
You can apply for the SMART Visa both inside and outside of Thailand.
The application process goes like this:
- Create an account on the SMART Visa website
- Fill in the online application and upload the necessary documents
- Wait for your visa to be approved
Once your visa is approved, you can get a visa stamp good for 60 days at a One-Stop Service Center in Thailand. From outside of Thailand, you can get your stamp at a Thai embassy or consulate.
It normally takes 30 days for the visa to be approved. During this process, an officer from Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) will contact you to verify some details. The officer may ask you for additional documents.
Getting Your Visa
Getting your SMART Visa looks like a straightforward process. If you live in Thailand, you need to go to the One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits, change your visa type, and then extend your SMART Visa as needed.
If you live outside of Thailand, you’ll need to go to your nearest Thai embassy or consulate to get your SMART Visa.
Extending Your Visa
Extending your SMART Visa is the same process as applying for the visa. Every two years, you will need to renew your visa.
Visa Fees
The government fee for the SMART Visa is THB10,000 per year. It’s the second-most expensive visa in Thailand, next to the Privilege Visa.
What to Do Next
If you’re interested in applying for one of the SMART Visas, we can start an application online.
Alternatively, you can contact the SMART Visa Unit.
- SMART Visa Unit
- One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS)
- One Bangkok, PARADE Zone, 7th Floor, 1877 Rama IV Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- Tel: +66 2209 1100 · Fax: +66 2209 1199
- Email: [email protected]
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