Complete Smart Visa Guide
A Board of Investment (BOI) initiative designed to attract highly qualified individuals in Thailand's targeted technology and innovation industries. Up to 4 years of legal stay with no work permit required, annual reporting and fast-track airport services. Not a visa for digital nomads or remote workers, but a visa for people building something in Thailand or bringing exceptional skills to a Thai entity.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and is based on publicly available sources as of June 2026. Always verify current requirements with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and consult a qualified immigration professional for your specific situation.
Important: three Smart Visa categories were discontinued in 2025
Since January 2025, the Smart T (Talent), Smart I (Investor) and Smart E (Executive) categories have been discontinued. Only Smart S (Startup) and Smart O (Dependant) remain active. If you are a skilled professional, senior executive or investor, the LTR Visa is now the relevant route for you. Compare with the LTR Visa
Who Is the Smart Visa For?
The Smart Visa targets a very specific profile. It is one of the most selective long-stay visas Thailand offers.
The Smart Visa is not for
The Smart Visa Categories
Only two categories remain active since the 2025 reform: Smart S for startup founders and Smart O for their dependants.
Startup Founder
Entrepreneur establishing or running a tech startup in Thailand's targeted industries
All options require: ≥ 600,000 THB in bank (held 3+ months) + mandatory health insurance. Each dependant requires an additional 180,000 THB.
Dependants of Smart Visa Holders
Legal spouses and unmarried children under 20 of Smart S holders
Eligibility is based entirely on the primary Smart Visa holder's status. The primary holder must have an active Smart Visa in good standing. Financial requirement: 180,000 THB per Smart O applicant in a bank account held for at least 3 months.
Spouses of Smart S holders do not automatically receive work rights in Thailand.
Thailand's Targeted S-Curve Industries
The Smart Visa is only available to people working in these officially designated industries. Your employer or startup must operate in at least one of these sectors.
Existing industries, upgraded
New industries for the future
Key insight
Verify your industry certification before applying
Your employer or company does not need to operate in all of these industries. It needs to be certified as operating in at least one. Certification is issued by the National Innovation Agency, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency or the BOI. If you are unsure whether your industry qualifies, contact the BOI directly before investing time in an application.
Eligibility Requirements
Your employer or startup must be certified as operating in a designated S-Curve industry by the National Innovation Agency (NIA), Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) or the BOI. This is the single most critical requirement: without industry certification, no Smart Visa application can proceed.
Smart S: ≥ 600,000 THB in a bank account held for at least 3 months. Smart O: 180,000 THB per dependant applicant, held for at least 3 months.
Mandatory for both Smart S (Startup) and Smart O (Dependant). Minimum USD 50,000 coverage per year is generally recommended, but always confirm the current minimum with your insurer or the BOI before purchasing.
Standard background check required. No serious criminal history and no negative immigration record in Thailand.
Smart Visa Costs: What to Budget
Visa issuance fee
10,000 THB per year of validity granted (5,000–20,000 THB depending on whether your initial grant is 6 months, 1 year or 2 years)
Non-refundable, paid in cash, once BOI endorsement is approved
BOI endorsement (Step 2 of the process)
Free
This approval step has no government fee. The visa issuance fee below only applies once endorsement is granted
Industry certification
Varies
Some agencies charge processing fees
Health insurance
25,000–80,000+ THB/year
Mandatory for Smart S and Smart O. Confirm the current minimum coverage required with your insurer or the BOI before purchasing.
Professional application assistance (recommended)
Variable
Some applicants use a visa consultant to reduce rejection risk.
Contact usDocument translations (if applicable)
€50–150 per document
For non-English, non-Thai documents requiring certified translation.
Renewal (every 2 years)
20,000 THB (10,000 THB per year)
Apply at least 60 days before expiry
The government visa issuance fee is non-refundable. If your BOI endorsement is rejected, you do not pay the visa fee. The endorsement process is the critical filter: invest in getting this right before paying the visa fee.
Required Documents
How to Apply for the Smart Visa
Verify that your startup is certified or certifiable in one of the targeted S-Curve industries. This step is critical. Applications without proper industry certification will not proceed.
Submit your application to the Smart Visa Unit at the BOI online portal or at the One Stop Service Centre. Provide all eligibility documentation for your category. The BOI reviews and issues an endorsement letter if approved.
With your BOI endorsement letter, apply for the Smart Visa stamp at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, or at the One Stop Service Centre if you are already in Thailand legally.
Total: approximately 60–75 days · Government fee: 10,000 THB per year of validity granted · Non-refundable
The BOI endorsement is the critical step. Invest time and professional support in getting the documentation right at Step 2, since this is where most applications fail or are delayed. Once the endorsement is issued, Step 3 is relatively straightforward.
Get help with my applicationSmart Visa Benefits
The Smart Visa offers a package of benefits that goes significantly beyond standard Non-Immigrant visa categories.
Up to 4 years of legal stay
Smart S is granted for an initial period of 6 months to 2 years depending on your startup stage, renewable up to a total of 4 years.
No work permit required
Exempt from the Thai work permit requirement, but only for the specific startup activity endorsed by the BOI. This is a major practical advantage: no separate work permit application, no 4:1 Thai employee ratio requirement.
Annual reporting only
Report your address to immigration once per year instead of every 90 days. A significant reduction in administrative burden for long-term residents.
Fast-track airport services
Dedicated fast-track immigration lanes at major international airports where available.
Spouse work rights
Spouses of Smart S holders do not automatically receive work rights in Thailand without a separate work permit application.
One Stop Service Centre
Applications processed through the BOI's dedicated One Stop Service Centre, separate from standard immigration. Faster processing and specialist BOI staff familiar with the programme.
Is the Smart Visa Right for You?
Advantages
Limitations
