Smart Visa program in Thailand – for professionals
A smart way to enter Thailand – Smart Visa program for 4 years permission to stay
At this point, Thailand is a country that is focusing on innovation and technology. Even more, it is in continuous development and tries to attract people from all over the world who can contribute to its growth. Moreover, the Government has come up with a new visa program called Thailand Smart Visa. At the same time, it has been developed to make Thailand more attractive and accessible for entrepreneurs and businesses. By all means, the Smart Visa for Thailand program for professionals was launched in 2018.
Basically, this type of visa is dedicated to highly skilled people and innovative ideas. It has the purpose of helping the country’s development by attracting manpower with great ideas. As can be seen, Smart Visa is a new type of visa specially designed to attract highly skilled manpower, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs.
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What do you have to do to be eligible for a Smart Visa for Thailand for professionals?
Seeing that, people specialized in the following industries, also called S-Curve industries are eligible for this Smart Visa for Thailand program for professionals:
- Next-Generation Automotive
- Affluent, Medical, and Wellness Tourism
- Agriculture and Biotechnology
- Aviation and Logistics
- Biofuels and Biochemicals
- Digital
- Medical Hub
- Smart Electronics
- Food for the Future
- Automation and Robotics
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
- Environmental Management and Renewable Energy
Eligibility for the Smart Visa Thailand Program
Moreover, the Smart Visa Thailand program for professionals divides persons eligible into five categories.
- Smart “T” refers to highly skilled technical professionals
- Smart “I” is for investors
- Smart “E” is for senior executives
- Smart “S” refers to foreign startups and entrepreneurs
- Smart “O” is the visa for spouses and children of holders of other types of Smart Visa
Equally important, another eligibility point is monthly salary or income. Basically, the minimum monthly salary is 100,000 baht whereas for startup employees are 50,000 baht. In short, this assures the Government that you have a minimum income that will assure a decent living in Thailand.
What are the Privileges of this type of visa?
At this point, the holder of a Thailand Smart Visa has certain benefits and privileges. Basically, one of them is the term of stay, which is longer than in the case of a Non-Immigrant visa. Above all, Smart Visa holders will be granted a maximum 4-year permission to stay, exemption from the work permit requirement. However, it cannot exceed the remaining contract period. As a result, you have not required a work permit or re-entry permit.
Moreover, you will have to report to the Immigration Bureau once a year instead of every 90 days. Also, children and spouses can stay and work in Thailand without being required to have a work permit.
So, all these advantages have been created to encourage skilled people to move to Thailand and choose it as a business market.
Application Process
As can be seen, there are four steps to follow when applying. In a word, you will have to go through verifications and eligibility checks. The first step in the application process for Thailand Smart Visa is submitting your application documents to the One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) in Bangkok or at the local Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate, in case you live overseas.
Moreover, the next procedure is that the Government will verify your qualifications with the help of competent agencies. Next, when the verification is done, the Bureau of Immigration will send an endorsement letter. Last, the applicant for the Visa will use the letter to apply for the Smart Visa at OSS or the local Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate.
Keep in mind that this entire application process for Thailand Smart Visa can last up to 30 working days. The same procedures and steps apply when you want to renew your Smart Visa for Thailand or convert from a non-immigrant Visa. The purpose of this Thailand Smart Visa program for professionals is to make it more accessible for highly skilled people to embrace Thailand as an optimum country for business.
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The Smart Visa program in Thailand is a special visa designed for highly skilled professionals, investors, startup entrepreneurs, and executives in targeted industries. Unlike regular work permits, Smart Visa holders benefit from:
Up to 4 years of stay without needing a work permit
Fewer reporting requirements (only once a year instead of every 90 days)
Permission for spouses and dependents to stay and work in Thailand
This program aims to attract global talent to Thailand’s technology, innovation, and business sectors.
People specialized in the following industries, also called S-Curve industries are eligible for this Smart Visa for Thailand program for professionals:
Next-Generation Automotive
Affluent, Medical, and Wellness Tourism
Agriculture and Biotechnology
Aviation and Logistics
Biofuels and Biochemicals
Digital
Medical Hub
Smart Electronics
Food for the Future
Automation and Robotics
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
Environmental Management and Renewable Energy
The Smart Visa offers several advantages over traditional work permits and business visas, including:
No work permit required – Smart Visa holders can work legally in Thailand without additional permits.
Extended stay validity – Up to 4 years instead of the standard 1-year visa.
Simplified immigration reporting – Reporting to Thai immigration is required only once per year instead of every 90 days.
Family benefits – Spouses and children can stay in Thailand, with spouses allowed to work without a separate permit.
This program is ideal for highly skilled professionals and business investors looking for long-term opportunities in Thailand.
