SMART Visa

A new type of visa specially designed to attract highly skilled manpower, investors, executives and startups entrepreneurs wishing to work or invest in the following targeted industries in the Kingdom of Thailand.

What is a SMART Visa ?

SMART Visa is a new type of visa specially designed to attract highly skilled manpower, investors, executives and startups entrepreneurs wishing to work or invest in the following targeted industries in the Kingdom of Thailand. SMART Visa holders will be granted maximum 4-year permission to stay, exemption from the work permit requirement and entitled to additional privileges.

Apply for the Four-Year Smart Visa in Thailand

In the pursuit to drive the economy through innovation, the Government of Thailand introduced a four-year visa for professionals—the Smart Visa—in February 2018. Their vision is to attract talents & technologies from across the globe to further develop Thailand’s targeted industries (or S-Curve industries). The step has been taken to enable knowledge transfer for boosting business growth & bring long-term economic benefits.

The Smart Visa program, which is a part of the ‘Thailand 4.0’ development plan, has thus been structured in such a manner that science & technology experts, investors, senior executives, & start-ups get attracted to Thailand’s economy. Through the visa, entrepreneurs who have long wanted to conduct business, invest in a start-up in Thailand, or bring skills and knowledge, can now fulfill their once distant dream.

The Targeted Industries

You can apply for a Thailand Smart Visa if you are a highly-skilled worker, investor, startup entrepreneur, or executive who wants to work &/or invest in any of the following industries:

Next-Generation Automotive
Smart Electronics
Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism
Agriculture and Biotechnology
Food for the Future

Who Is Eligible for a Thailand Smart Visa?

In total, there are four Smart Visa categories:

1.) Smart “T” Visa where “T” stands for talent

This may be granted to science & technology professionals whose credentials have been evaluated & endorsed by the Strategic Talent Center.
These specialists should have a monthly salary equal to or greater than 100,000 Baht.
Such an individual must have an employment or service contract with a corporate entity in Thailand with a term of a minimum of one year.
Also, the employer should be operating in one among the S-Curve industries.
The employer even needs to get a Qualification Endorsement issued by the relevant authority like the Digital Economy Promotion Agency & the National Innovation Agency.

Then there are other cases wherein to qualify for a Smart “T” visa, foreigners working in the science & technology field need to obtain an Endorsement Letter by one of these institutions:

Higher Education Institution & Specialized Training : It should be certified by the employing agency in the Strategic Talent Center.
Government Agency : It should be endorsed by the employing government agency.
In the Field of ADR : Must be certified by an arbitration institute in the Kingdom of Thailand (for instance, International Chamber of Commerce, Thailand Arbitration Center, and Thailand Arbitration Institute).

2.) Smart “I” Visa where “I” stands for Investor

This visa is granted to investors in technology-based companies that are part of any of the targeted industries. No minimum salary is required.
To qualify for Thailand investor visa, foreign investors need to plan an equity injection in one of the following ways:

By investing no less than THB 20 million. This investment can either be made directly as an individual investor or via a venture capital firm in Thailand, in a technology-based firm in one of the targeted industries; or
By investing at least THB 5 million directly as an individual investor in a start-up, or incubator, or accelerator program that is endorsed by competent agencies.

The endorsed company should either be in the high-tech manufacturing industry or deliver services in the targeted industries.

3.) Smart “E” Visa where “E” stands for Executive

Such a visa-holder must earn a minimum of THB 200,000 per month.
The person should at least have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 10 years of work experience in the relevant field.
For eligibility, the executive must have a service or employment contract (of at least one year) to work in Thailand.
He/She must hold a senior management position like Managing Director or Chairman.
The company hiring such an executive should meet the exact eligibility requirements as described under Smart “I” Visa.

4.) Smart “S” Visa where “S” stands for Start-Up

The individual should set up a firm in one of the targeted industries in Thailand within a year, with a minimum of 25% ownership (or be a board member).
Such persons must already be participating in an endorsed incubation, accelerator program, or a similar program, or;
Such persons must be in a joint venture with or endorsed by a relevant government agency.
For a visa, there must be a deposit of at least THB 600,000 in the applicant’s bank account in Thailand or in the country where they reside. The remaining maturity term of such a Fixed deposit must be at least one year.
Applicants should have a plan to incorporate a tech start-up that must be endorsed by the relevant agency, like the National Innovation Agency.
Such individuals can also engage in activities that promote start-ups, like a Start-up Camp endorsed by the Board of Investment and NIA.

For all visas, the relevant authorities must be notified by the visa holders if they wish to receive further endorsements when any changes are made to their employment.

To qualify for a Thailand Smart Visa O, you need to be the spouse &/or the legitimate dependent child (biological or adopted) of the primary Smart Visa holder.

Privileges

All Visa types have a maximum extension period of 4 years, except for the Smart “S” Visa. Its extension period depends on the length of the first visa application. For instance, a two-year visa has at the most, a two-year extension period. The six-month visa can, however, be renewed for up to two years.

Other benefits across all visas are:

No work permit required;
No re-entry permit required;
One-year reporting to the Immigration at the One-Stop Service Center;
Access to Fast Track service at international airports in Thailand.

What are the Smart Visa Requirements?

The following supporting documents are required when applying for a Smart Visa:

A printout of the Smart Visa application form as per the specific type of visa the candidate is applying for.
The applicant’s passport.
Police Certificate issued by the authorities in your country as proof of the applicant’s clean criminal record. The certificate also needs to be certified by a Notary Public.
If you are residing in Thailand, also include a Police Certificate issued by the authorities in Thailand.
A Health Certificate issued in the last three months that shows that the candidate isn’t infected with any of the prohibited diseases (Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Addiction (Drug/Alcoholism), Elephantiasis, or Third Phase Syphilis). This certificate also needs to be certified by a Notary Public.
Copies of all academic qualifications, certificates, or endorsements that the applicant has, related to his/her area of expertise. These copies are not required in the case of Smart Visa O.
Copies of any research projects, publications, intellectual property, and awards the applicant may have (not required for SMART Visa O).
Proof of Previous Employment. For instance, a letter from the candidate’s previous employer (not needed for SMART Visa O).
Include the power of attorney if somebody else is applying on your behalf.

When you choose Interloop, you choose convenience and thus save time in getting all the paperwork verified and processed. All this while surpassing all geographical barriers & giving your entrepreneurial dreams a flight. All you need to do is give us a call or drop us an email, and one of our experts will attend to all your Thailand Smart Visa needs.

10 Targeted Industries

Benefits of SMART Visa

Different Types of SMART Visas

SMART " T "

TALENT

With at least 200,000 THB salary and talents certified by Strategic Talent centre

Eligibility

1. Science and technology experts
2.Salary ≥200,000baht/month
3.Employment contract with remaining validity of ≥1 year
4.Employing companies being in the targeted industries

Rights and Benefits

1.Maximum 4-year visa
2.No work permit required for working in the endorsed companies
3.90-day reporting to the Immigration extended to 1 year
4.No re-entry permit required
5.Spouse and children granted permission to stay and work in Thailand with no work permit required

SMART " I "

INVESTOR

Invest directly as an individual for at least 20 million THB

Eligibility

1. Minimum direct investment of 20 million baht
2. Investing in companies using technology in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries

Rights and Benefits

1. Maximum 4-year visa
2. No work permit required for working in the endorsed companies
3. No re-entry permit required
4. Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand
5. Spouse granted permission to work with no work permit required

SMART " E "

EXECUTIVE

With at least 200,000 THB salary, Bachelor Degree and 10 years work experience

Eligibility

1.Holder of Bachelor ’s degrees or higher with work experience ≥10 years
2.Salary ≥200,000 baht/month
3.Employment contract with remaining validity of ≥1 year
4.High-levels executives
5.Working for companies using technology in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries

Rights and Benefits

1.Maximum 4-year visa, but not exceeding the employment contract term
2.No work permit required for working in the endorsed companies
3.90-day reporting to the Immigration extended to 1 year
4.No re-entry permit required
5.Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand
6.Spouse granted permission to work with no work permit

SMART " S "

STARTUP

Participate in the government’s incubator/accelerator project and will establish a business in Thailand within 12 months after Visa issuance

Eligibility

1.Fixed deposit of ≥600,000 baht with the remaining maturity term of ≥1 year
2.Participating in an endorsed incubation, accelerator program or a similar program/or obtaining joint venture with or being endorsed by a relevant government agency
3.Must set up a company in the targeted industries in Thailand within 1 year with at least 25% ownership or being a board member

Rights and Benefits

1.1-year visa for the first time, renewable for < 2-year if requirements are met
2.No work permit required for working in the endorsed companies or projects
3.90-day reporting to the Immigration extended to 1 year
4.No re-entry permit required
5.Spouse and children granted permission to stay in Thailand
6.Spouse granted permission to work with no work permit