• Home
  • Country Index
  • About US
  • Contact

Immigration World

The World Has No Boundaries

  • Canada
  • Dubai
  • France
  • India
  • Italy
  • Sweden
  • UK
  • USA
  • etc
  • Country Index

Home » Thailand » Thailand Smart Visa -The Visa You Need to Set Up a Business in Thailand

Thailand Smart Visa -The Visa You Need to Set Up a Business in Thailand

January 16, 2023 by Filter Coffee

Along with pristine beaches, calm blue water, and beautiful tropical weather, Thailand also has a great environment for startups, a booming economy, and a low cost of living. It’s a good place to start a business in medicine, smart electronics, next-generation automotive biofuels, and many other such industries.

Recognizing this as an opportunity to attract talent to the country, Thailand started the Smart S visa program. Unlike other startup visas, the Thailand startup visa has three tiers with varying validity timeframes.

Thailand Smart Visa

Read: How To Get Thailand Citizenship?

Thailand Smart Visa Program

There are 5 categories of the Thailand Smart Visa program. The category relevant to entrepreneurs is the Smart S visa. Individuals with an idea for a business they would like to set up in Thailand as well as those who already have a business in any other country that they want to move to Thailand are eligible for this visa.

Read: How to Apply for Thailand Tourist Visa

Thailand Startup Visa – Targeted Industries

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant’s business idea or existing business must be in one of the following targeted industries:

  • Aviation and Logistics
  • Next-Generation Automotive
  • Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism
  • Smart Electronics
  • Agriculture and Biotechnology
  • Medical Hub
  • Food for the Future
  • Automation and Robotics
  • Biofuels and Biochemicals
  • Digital
  • Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Environmental Management and Renewable Energy

Thailand Smart Visa Types

There are three types of Thailand Smart S visas:

1. 6-month visa for individuals with a startup business plan

This visa is for new startup founders with a business proposal in one of the targeted industries or those who want to engage in promotional activities for startups. The visa is valid for 6 months and renewable for up to 2 years if required.

Eligibility:

  • Having the plan to set up a tech startup in one of the targeted industries
    • Having a startup plan endorsed by relevant agencies
    • Health insurance that covers the entire stay in Thailand

2. 1-year visa for individuals who have participated in an incubation/ accelerator program 

A 1-year Thailand Smart S visa allows the applicant to live in Thailand for up to 1 year and set up a business within this time frame. It is renewable for up to 2 years. The applicant’s spouse and dependent children can also stay in Thailand along with the Smart S visa holder. The spouse may also be granted permission to work in the country.

Eligibility:

  • Attending an accelerator/incubation program in the targeted industry

Or

  • Having received joint venture funding

Or

  • Having been endorsed by relevant government agencies
    • Proof of maintaining at least 600,000 Baht in their bank account for 3 months
    • In the case of being accompanied by spouse/ children, an additional 180,000 baht per person must be maintained in the bank for the past 3 months
    • Health insurance for the entire stay in Thailand

3. 2-year visa for individuals who own at least 25% of an existing startup

Foreigners who hold at least 25% of a certified startup company in Thailand are eligible for a 2-year Smart S visa. The visa holder’s spouse and dependent children can also stay in Thailand. The spouse may be granted permission to work without requiring a work permit.

Eligibility:

  • Having an established startup company in Thailand in one of the targeted industries
    • Owning at least 25% of the company or being one of the directors of the company
    • Proof of maintaining at least 600,000 Baht in their bank account for 3 months
    • In the case of being accompanied by spouse/ children, an additional 180,000 baht per person must be maintained in the bank for the past 3 months
    • Health insurance for the entire stay in Thailand

Documents Required For A Thailand Smart Visa

Before applying for the Smart S visa, the following documents must be brought together:

  • Valid passport with at least 2-3 blank pages
  • Completed visa application form
  • Valid notification Letter from the Board of Investment to the Thailand Trade and Economic Office
  • Medical certificate
  • Health insurance policy
  • Shareholding list
  • Existing startup company’s annual report, catalogs or brochures (if any)
  • Evidence of attending an incubator/accelerator program
  • Proof of financial subsistence
  • One 2×2 inch recent passport-sized photograph against a white background

How To Apply For The Thailand Smart Visa Program

The first step in applying for a Smart S visa is registering online at https://smart-visa.boi.go.th. AQ confirmation email will be sent to the applicant to activate the account. The application form must then be completed. PDF versions of the required documents can be uploaded to the account.

The application will be evaluated in the next 30 days. If approved, the applicant can proceed to the Royal Thai Embassies/The Royal Thai Consulate Generals/ Immigration at One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS)/ EEC Labour Administration Center in Chonburi to apply for a Smart Visa issuance.

This must be completed within 60 days of receiving an endorsement letter. A visa processing fee of 10,000 baht is payable.

Also Read

  • 16 Countries Offering Citizenship Through Investment
  • Types Of Singapore Work Visa
×

Filed Under: Thailand Tagged With: immigrate to, immigration and settlement, startup visa

Follow US

Recent Posts

  • Thailand Smart Visa -The Visa You Need to Set Up a Business in Thailand
  • UK-India Young Professionals Scheme
  • How To Apply For Australia’s Global Talent Visa Program
  • How To Get An Estonian Startup Visa
  • 5 Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Preference Categories For The American Green Card

Top Posts & Pages

  • 9 Countries Indians Can Easily Get Permanent Residency
  • OCI Card For Infants - How To Apply For An Child’s OCI Card
  • Top 10 Countries Where You Can Immigrate and Settle Easily
  • Ways to Migrate to Singapore
  • Tax Filing In Germany For International Students – Do All International Students Need To File Tax?
  • 10 Countries To Get PR Visa Easily
  • 5 Tips for International Students To Identify A Fake University In The USA
  • 5 Ways To Get Swedish Citizenship
  • Indian Students Studying Abroad – The Latest Statistics
  • How to Migrate to the UK

Tags

Australian citizenship Australian student visa Canada Immigration Canada student visa citizenship citizenship test Coronavirus cost of living EB5 visa Green Cards H1B Visa H1B visa Policy H4 visa immigrate to immigration and settlement Indian e-visa indian immigrants indian students Indian Visa International Students investor visa Migrate to no visa travel passports Permanent Residency Schengen Visa startup visa Student Visa Study in USA Tax Filing For International Students tourist visa travel ban travel tips UK immigration UK Student Visa UK Visa USA Green Card usa immigration USA student visa USA Visa US citizenship US immigration US work permit work permit For H4 visa work visa
Feedback | Disclaimer
Copyright © 2023 immigrationworld.com.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
SettingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...