SMART Visa 2025: Now limited to certified startup founders (2-year visa).
Thailand’s SMART Visa Now Reserved for Startup Entrepreneurs
In February 2025, Thailand officially restructured its SMART Visa program to streamline visa options and eliminate overlap with the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
Under the new rules, only one SMART Visa category remains available: the SMART-S (2-Year Visa) for foreign entrepreneurs who have already established a certified startup in Thailand’s targeted industries.
The program continues to support dependents as well. Spouses and legitimate children of SMART-S holders can apply for a SMART-O Visa, allowing them to live — and, in the case of spouses, work — in Thailand without a separate work permit.
Requirements for the SMART-S Visa
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Business establishment: The applicant must have already established a business in Thailand, certified as a startup in a targeted industry by a relevant government agency, such as the National Innovation Agency (NIA) or the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA).
- Ownership or directorship: The applicant must either:– Hold at least 25% of the company’s registered capital, or– Serve as a director of the certified company.
- Duration of authorization: The business must have been authorized for a period of not over two years at the time of application.
- Financial requirements:– A personal bank deposit of at least 600,000 Baht, held for at least three months prior to the application date,
– The deposit can be maintained in a bank account in Thailand or in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence.
– For applicants with dependents, an additional deposit of 180,000 Baht per dependent under the same conditions is required. - Health insurance: Comprehensive health insurance is required for the entire stay in Thailand, covering both the applicant and all dependents.
- Immigration compliance: The applicant and dependents must not possess prohibited characteristics under Thai immigration law.
Targeted Industries
The SMART-S Visa is only available to entrepreneurs operating in the following targeted industries:
- Automotive industry
- Electronics industry
- Affluent tourism industry
- Agriculture, food, and biotechnology industry
- Automation and robotics industry
- Transportation and logistics industry
- Petrochemical and chemical industry
- Digital industry
- Medical industry
- National defense industry
- Circular economy support (e.g., waste-to-fuel, water management)
- Aviation, aerospace, and space industry
- Human resource development in science and technology
- Environmental management and renewable energy
- Management of technology, innovation, and startup ecosystems
- Target technology development
- International Business Center (IBC)
- Alternative dispute resolution services
Only certified startups in one of these sectors are eligible.
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Privileges of the SMART-S Visa
Holders of the SMART-S Visa are entitled to:
- Stay in Thailand for up to two years, renewable.
- Work in their certified startup or approved projects without a separate work permit, provided the work is not in a prohibited occupation.
- Apply for additional certification if the scope of work or activities changes.
- Annual immigration reporting instead of every 90 days.
- No re-entry permit required for international travel during visa validity.
- Fast-track immigration lanes at designated international airports.
Dependents
Spouses and legitimate children of SMART-S holders may apply for a SMART-O Visa with the following conditions:
- Same duration of stay as the main applicant.
- The lawful spouse is permitted to work in Thailand without a work permit, provided the work does not exceed the rights granted to the main applicant.
- Must meet health insurance and immigration compliance requirements.
- Applications can be submitted together or separately.
Application Process
The application process involves:
- Submit a qualification endorsement application to the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) in Bangkok or through a Thai embassy/consulate abroad.
- The OSS will forward the application to relevant agencies to verify startup certification, conduct criminal and immigration background checks, and confirm the applicant’s compliance with labor laws.
- The full endorsement process must be completed within 30 working days after receiving a complete application.
- If approved, the applicant must apply for the SMART Visa within 60 days of the endorsement letter’s issuance.
- Visa issuance may take place at the OSS, a Thai embassy/consulate, or the EEC Labour Administration Center.
- The applicant must file an annual status report with the BOI to maintain eligibility.
For official procedures and document checklists, visit the SMART Visa website.
SMART Visa in Numbers
From 2018 to early 2025, the SMART Visa program issued more than 2,440 visas across various categories. With the 2025 reform, it is now focused exclusively on startup entrepreneurs.
For the most recent statistics on approvals by nationality, industry, and visa type, please refer to the official SMART Visa website.
Legal Basis
The current SMART Visa framework is based on:
- BOI Announcement No. Por 5/2568 (18 February 2025): Qualifications, Criteria, and Conditions for SMART Visa
- BOI Announcement No. Por 6/2568 (18 February 2025): Application Procedure for Qualification Endorsement
These announcements were issued under Section 13 of the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977), following a Cabinet resolution on 13 January 2025.
Related Articles
Long-Term Visa Options in Thailand for Business, Work, and Living
Thailand LTR Visa: A Complete Guide to Long-Term Residency
Thailand Work Permit Guide: Requirements, Application Process, and Key Information
Conclusion
The SMART Visa has been narrowed to a single category focused on startup founders with an already established company in Thailand. While its scope is now limited, it may still be a suitable option for some entrepreneurs working in targeted industries.
If you’re considering this route, we can assist with company setup — whether through a standard Thai company or with BOI incentives — corporate structuring, and other related matters, as well as the visa application process.
Feel free to get in touch to discuss your specific case.
