Thailand•AsiaSMART S — SMART Visa Startup
At a Glance
1 month
Not confirmed
10,000 THB per year of visa permission2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Renewable 2-year visa for foreign tech startup founders in Thailand, with spouse work rights.
The SMART Visa Startup is Thailand's work visa for entrepreneurs founding certified startups in digital technology, robotics, and biotechnology. Issued by the Board of Investment, it requires at least 25% ownership and a 600,000 THB savings deposit. Unlike traditional Thai work visas, it eliminates requirements for a local partner or high minimum capital.
The visa grants up to 2 years per issuance and is renewable. No work permit is required for the certified venture, and administrative reporting occurs only once yearly. Spouses and children receive the same duration and may work without separate permits. Processing takes approximately 30 days.
This visa is ideal for tech founders relocating to Thailand with a certified S-Curve industry venture, seeking long-term residence and spousal work rights.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a founder of a technology-based startup in one of Thailand's targeted industries.
Startup must be certified by relevant government agencies (e.g., NIA, DEPA).
Must hold at least 25% ownership or be a director of the company.
Minimum bank deposit of 600,000 THB (or equivalent) held for at least 3 months (additional 180,000 THB per dependent).
Valid health insurance covering the entire period of stay for the applicant and any accompanying family.
Must be at least 18 years old.
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Savings
600,000 THB
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (at least 6 months validity).
Official endorsement letter from the relevant government agency.
Proof of startup certification.
Company registration documents (e.g., shareholder list, director appointment).
Bank statements showing the required deposit held for 3+ months.
Health insurance policy document.
Completed application forms.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No work permit required for the certified business or its founders
- Spouse can work without needing a separate work permit
- Extended 90-day reporting cycles (only once annually) reduce administrative burden
- Fast-track immigration services at Thai international airports
- No re-entry permit required for travel within the visa validity period
- Exemption from traditional Thai business ownership requirements (no local Thai partner needed)
- Renewable 2-year grants with direct path to extension via business continuity
- Spouse and children can stay and study without additional permits
Worth Knowing
- Requires 25% ownership stake or director position to qualify for the program
- Limited to targeted S-Curve industries (tech, robotics, biotech, smart electronics) designated by Thailand's BOI
- Mandatory 600,000 THB (approximately USD 17,000) minimum bank deposit maintained for 3 months
- Must maintain valid health insurance coverage for entire duration of stay
- Business must remain certified and compliant with BOI industry standards throughout visa tenure
Application Process
Obtain endorsement from a relevant Thai government agency (e.g., NIA, DEPA).
Submit application and supporting documents to the Board of Investment (BOI) SMART Visa Unit.
Upon approval, receive the official endorsement letter.
Apply for the visa at a Thai Embassy/Consulate or the One Stop Service Center (OSSC) in Bangkok.
Pay the visa fee of 10,000 THB per year of permission.
Related visas
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Work visas in other countries
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