Thailand SMART Visa Program for Foreigners

Thailand SMART Visa Program for Foreigners
In this Article you will find the Complete Guide for obtaining a SMART Visa for Thailand as well as who want to learn and want to obtain a Thailand SMART Visa, the application procedure as well as the required documents.
The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand launched this SMART visa Program on February 1, 2018 to develop and promote Thailand’s target Industries, such as the 13 S-Curve Industries and so on.

The Smart Visa for Thailand is a new type of visa designed to attract investors, professionals, executives as well as startup entrepreneurs who wish to invest or work in the target industries in the Kingdom of Thailand mentioned below. Holders of this type of Smart Visa are granted permission to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 4 years, a one-year immigration check instead of 90 days, eligibility to work for spouses and children without the need for a work permit, exemption from work permit requirements, and are entitled to many additional privileges.
These are the different types of target industries in Thailand that must meet the specific requirements of each type of SMART visa: –
(1)- Digital  (2) – Smart Electronics  (3) – Next Generation Automotive  (4) – Agriculture and Biotechnology  (5) – Food of the Future (6) – Prosperity, Medical and Wellness Tourism    (7) – Aviation and Logistics  (8) – Automation and Robotics 9 – Biofuels and Biochemicals  (10) – Medical Hub                       (11) – Alternative Dispute Resolution                                                12 – Environmental Management and Renewable Energy          13 – HRD in Science and Technology.
Types of SMART Visas, Thailand
The SMART visas of Thailand are categorized as follows:
(1)- Thailand SMART visa “T” issued to the foreign investors.
(2)- Thailand SMART visa “I”, which is issued to foreign talents
(3)- Thailand SMART visa “E”, which is issued to foreigners as executives
(4)- Thailand SMART visa “S” issued to foreigners who start a technology-based company
(5)- Thailand SMART Visa “O” issued to family members, dependent spouses and children of any of the above SMART visa holders.
1- Qualifications and Criteria for Thailand SMART Visa “Talents”.
This type of visa is issued for a period of four years SMART Visa “Talent” available for science and technology professionals and professionals in any of the above ten targeted industries.
(a)– Highly qualified professional in one of the target industries.
(b)– A science and technology education in one of the target industries
(c)– A monthly income of at least 100,000 Thai Baht
(d)– Have an employment/service contract with a validity of at least 1 year.
However, if you are working for a startup or retired expert, you must have a confirmation from an appropriate agency and have a monthly income of at least 50,000 Baht.
2- Qualifications and Criteria for Thailand SMART Visa S “Startup”
This type of visa is issued to entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Thailand for a period of one to two years
(a)– Have established a startup business in the Kingdom of Thailand in one of the targeted industries.
(b)– Hold at least 25% of the registered capital of the company or hold the position of director in the company
(c)– Have deposited at least 600,000 Baht or equivalent amount in a bank account in the Kingdom of Thailand or the country of residence and held for at least 3 months.
(d)– Have health insurance that covers the duration of stay in the Kingdom of Thailand

3- Qualifications and Criteria for Thailand SMART Visa I “Investor”.
This type of four-year visa is issued to investors who make an investment of 20 million baht directly in companies that use technology in the production process or provide services in one of the ten targeted industries. This four-year visa is issued to investors who want to make a direct investment of 20 million baht and use technology in the production process or provide services.
(a)– Make a direct investment of at least 20 million baht in a technology-based company in one of the target industries in Thailand, individually or through a venture capital company.
(b)– Invest at least 5 million baht in a start-up or incubation/acceleration program in the Kingdom of Thailand that is recognized by the relevant authorities.
©– Invest in a company that is technology-based and produces or provides services in one of the target industries.
4- Qualifications and Criteria for Thailand SMART Visa E “Executive”.
(a)– An executive position, such as chairman or CEO in a technology company in one of the targeted industries.
(b)– A monthly income of at least 200,000 baht.
(c)– A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of work experience in one of the relevant fields.
(d)– Having a work/service contract valid for at least 1 year 5 5-Qualifications and Criteria for Thailand SMART Visa O “Other”
This type of visa is issued to the spouse including the dependent legitimate child e.g., adopted or biological of the main visa holder SMART.
6- Application procedure for Thailand SMART Visa
The procedure for applying for a Thailand SMART visa is different from other types of visas as the qualifications must be verified and confirmed by the competent authority in the Kingdom of Thailand. The application can be processed as follows:
i- Create an account and apply for the visa online at the website SMART.
ii- Attach copies (PDF) of all relevant documents for the SMART visa.
iii- The relevant offices in Thailand will confirm the qualifications and notify the One-Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit of their decision.
iv- The OSS will notify you of the outcome of your application.
v- Submitting the “Educational Qualifications Endorsement Letter” and original copies of relevant documents and visa application to the following office: 1- Visit the diplomatic missions, Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate of Thailand if you live abroad.
2- The Immigration Department at the One-Stop Service Center for a visa and work permit “OSS” in Bangkok if you live in Thailand and the(EEC) Labor Admin Center, Chonburi        7- Processing time for Thailand visa application SMART The processing time for the initial online applications is three working days and the processing time for the recognition of educational qualifications is thirty working days and the processing time for the SMART visa application at each foreign mission, “OSS” and” EEC” depends on which office the application is submitted, anywhere from 2 to 10 working days.
8- Thailand SMART Visa Fee as Duration
The processing fee for applying for SMART visa for Thailand is 10,000 baht for one year. However, the fee may change depending on the local currency of the country where you are applying. The SMART visa for Thailand is issued for a minimum duration of one year and a maximum duration of four years.
9- Extension of Thailand SMART visa
An application for extension of Thailand SMART visa must be made at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the current visa, as well as reapplication for an endorsement of qualifications and submission of the application for extension of visa and work permit “OSS” to the Immigration Bureau at the One-Stop Service Center. The fee for Thailand visa extension SMART is 10,000 Thai Baht for one year.

10- Documents required when applying for Thailand SMART visa:

The following documents are required when applying for SMART visa:-
(i)-Printout of SMART visa application form, according to the specification of the visa applied for.
(ii)- Passport
(iii)- Proof of a clean criminal record with a police clearance certificate issued by the police authorities of the country of citizenship and certified by a notary public.
(iv)- A health certificate for the last three months showing the absence of any of the prohibited diseases such as tuberculosis, elephantiasis, leprosy, alcoholism, drug addiction, or syphilis in the third degree, certified by a notary public.
(v)- While in Thailand, a police clearance certificate issued by the police authorities in Thailand should also be available.
(vi)- Copies of all certificates, academic qualifications or endorsements related to the field are not required for SMART Visa O.
(vii)- Previous proof of employment, such as a letter from the previous employer, is not required for SMART Visa O.
(viii)- Copies of research projects, publications, awards, intellectual property, not required for SMART Visa O.
(ix)- Power of attorney in case the application is submitted on behalf of the applicant. For more information, please visit the official website of Thailand SMART Visa:
https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/