Thailand•AsiaSMART I — SMART Visa Investor
At a Glance
1 month
From THB ฿10,000
Other charges may apply
4 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
SMART Visa I (Investor): Thai BOI residency of up to 4 years for those investing 20M+ THB (or 5M THB in BOI-endorsed startups) in S-Curve tech sectors.
Thailand's SMART Visa Investor (SMART I), launched by the Board of Investment in 2018, draws foreign capital into the country's 13 targeted S-Curve industries — including next-generation automotive, smart electronics, digital and robotics. Unlike the LTR or Elite visas, it is built around active investment, not passive residency.
Applicants must invest at least 20 million THB in a technology-based company in a targeted industry, or 5 million THB in a BOI-endorsed startup or accelerator, and maintain the stake for the term. The visa runs up to 4 years (renewable), waives the work and re-entry permits, swaps 90-day reporting for annual, and lets spouse and children stay; the spouse may work. The fee is 10,000 THB per year.
This visa is ideal for high-net-worth investors and venture capitalists deploying significant capital into Thailand's S-Curve tech sectors who want a long-term, family-inclusive residency tied to an active stake.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4 years |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Investment of at least 20 million THB in a technology-based company in a targeted industry
Alternatively, investment of at least 5 million THB in a startup or incubation/accelerator program endorsed by relevant agencies
Must be investing in a technology-based business in one of Thailand's targeted 'S-Curve' industries
Must obtain a letter of qualification endorsement from the Board of Investment (BOI) or relevant government agency
KEY CRITERIA
Investment
5,000,000 THB
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Up to 4-year renewable visa — longer than most Thai work or business visas
- No work permit required to work for the endorsed entity
- 90-day reporting replaced by once-a-year reporting
- No re-entry permit required for international travel
- Spouse and children may stay for the same period; spouse may work without a separate permit
- Fast-track service at participating Thai international airports
- Flat fee of 10,000 THB per year of visa permission
Worth Knowing
- Requires BOI qualification endorsement before the visa can be issued
- Must invest at least 20M THB in a targeted-industry tech firm, or 5M THB in a BOI-endorsed startup/accelerator
- Investment must be maintained throughout the visa validity period
- Limited to the 13 targeted S-Curve industries — not open to general investors
- Must file the visa application within 60 days of receiving the endorsement letter
- Investment outside the BOI-targeted S-Curve sectors does not qualify
- Withdrawal of capital or failure to maintain the endorsed investment may revoke the visa
Application Process
Register and complete the online qualification endorsement application on the SMART Visa portal
Submit required documents for screening by the One Stop Service Center (OSS) and relevant agencies
Receive the Letter of Qualification Endorsement
Apply for the SMART Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy, Consulate, or the One Stop Service Center within 60 days of endorsement
Related visas
More visas in Thailand
Investment visas in other countries
- Treaty Investor
United States
- Strategic Investor Permit (Άδεια Στρατηγικού Επενδυτή - B.1)
Greece
- Major Investor Visa (A6)
Kazakhstan
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