The Thailand Smart Visa is finally here. For as long as we can remember there have been rumours about relaxation or rather a broadening of the rules of digital and IT professionals being able to obtain long-term visas in Thailand. Until recently, nothing fixed has materialised, but that is changing with the introduction of various new Thailand Smart Visas. If you are a highly skilled individual, have a good income, work in specific industries, or are interested in starting a business in Thailand – you won’t want to miss this.

What is a Thailand Smart Visa? 

A Thailand Smart Visa is a new type of visa aimed at highly-skilled individuals, wealthy executives, and startup entrepreneurs wishing to work or invest in Thailand. Traditionally, visa options were very limited to these types of often young and smart individuals. 

Unlike the traditional visa structure, where most ‘long-term’ visas are renewed on a yearly basis. Thai Smart Visa holders will be granted up to 4-years to stay in the Kingdom (they may or may not have to register annually at between times). They may be exempt from the usual work permit requirements and be entitled to additional benefits depending on circumstances.

There are four main types of Thailand Smart Visa, each designed to provide an opportunity for skilled or wealthy individuals being able to stay in Thailand for a period of time and benefit from doing business here. It is good to see that Thailand recognises the tremendous value that skilled and wealthy individuals from abroad can bring with them. This innovation and influx of capital have to be a good thing for the development of tech and commerce here. 

Types of Thailand Smart Visa

Smart T (Talent)

This visa stands for Talents and is for highly-skilled experts. Within this group could e scientists, engineers, researchers, and technicians of a high level. With the growth in these industries, and others including blockchain and DeFi the timing of the new visas is ideal.

Requirements for Thailand Smart T Visa

Benefits of the Thailand Smart T visa:

• Visa up to 4 years, but not longer than the employment contract
• No Work Permit is needed for working in the approved company or Thai government agency
• Once a year Immigration reporting instead of every 90 days
• No re-entry permit is required to exit and re-enter the country

Smart I (Investor)

The investor category is aimed at individuals willing to invest large amounts of capital in companies with technology at the core of what they do.

Benefits of the Smart I visa:

• Visa up to 4 years
• No Work Permit is needed for working in the approved company or Thai government agency
• Once a year Immigration reporting instead of every 90 days
• No re-entry permit is required to exit and re-enter the country

Smart E (Executive)

The Thailand Smart E (Executive) visa applies to senior executives and management of companies engaged in the targeted industries. If you are searching for an executive role in Thailand a professional recruitment agency in Bangkok can help.

Benefits of the Smart E visa:

• Visa up to 4 years, but not longer than the employment contract
• No Work Permit is needed for working in the approved company or Thai government agency
• Once a year Immigration reporting instead of every 90 days
• No re-entry permit is required to exit and re-enter the country

Smart S (Start-Up)

The requirements for the Startup Entrepreneur category are possibly the hardest to achieve for most and as such seen as the least attractive to most applicants. 

Benefits of the Smart S visa:

• 1-year visa, with a possibility of renewal for up to 2 years
• No Work Permit is needed for working in the approved company or Thai government agency
• Once a year Immigration reporting instead of every 90 days
• No re-entry permit is required to exit and re-enter the country

Smart O (Others)

The smart O refers to others and is simply referring to the legal dependents of the main smart visa holders to live and work in Thailand. For example, spouse and children. The spouse and children (children must be above the age of 18) are eligible for a visa of the same duration as the main Smart Visa holder. Spouses are allowed to work without a work permit, provided that the job does not fall into one of the occupations or industries that are forbidden to foreigners.

How to Apply for A Thailand Smart Visa?

To apply for a Thailand Smart Visa applicants must prove their credentials and qualifications by receiving Government Agency Endorsement. Several agencies can handle this including:

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA)

National Innovation Agency (NIA)

National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).

Depending on the application, endorsements may be required from various sources to show specific expertise in a particular niche.

The government agency endorsements are usually expected to take up to one month. If you are not living in Thailand, you can submit the requested documents to your local Thai Royal Consulate or Embassy. If you are already based in Thailand there is a Smart Visa Unit within the Thailand Boards of Investment at the immigration one-stop service centre in Bangkok.

Thailand Smart Visas: Summary

Not everyone will be eligible to access Thailand’s Smart Visas or their benefits of them. However, that appears to be their idea of them. They are designed to attract the elite within certain sectors and not appeal to the masses of digital nomad-type workers. Even though some of these individuals provide great economic and intellectual value in their rights.

If you are a digital nomad in Thailand there are other options available to you. However, as you can see from the list above – Thailand places importance on qualifications, salary, and experience.