Entrepreneur visa routes in Kingdom of Thailand
Thinking about Kingdom of Thailand as a place to work? Below are the 4 Kingdom of Thailand visa routes that most commonly fit entrepreneurs, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: startup founder, business owner, company director.
What this means for entrepreneurs
Of the 4 Kingdom of Thailand routes that commonly fit entrepreneurs, 0 need a sponsoring employer and 4 do not, and 0 can lead to permanent residence. Entrepreneurs are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Kingdom of Thailand overall is the Non-Immigrant Visa "B" + Work Permit; it is not specific to entrepreneurs but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Routes that fit entrepreneurs
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
A 10-year BOI-administered visa for high-potential foreigners across four categories, with a digital work permit and tax and re-entry benefits.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Long-term visa issued for up to 10 years (commonly in 5-year tranches); renewable subject to continued eligibility.
SMART Visa
A BOI visa for talent, investors, executives and startup founders in targeted industries, granting up to four years of stay with no separate work permit required.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Maximum four-year permission to stay, depending on the SMART type; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
A five-year multiple-entry visa launched in 2024 for remote workers (workcation) and Thai soft-power activities, allowing 180-day stays per entry.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Five-year multiple-entry visa; up to 180 days per entry, extendable once at an immigration office.
Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Retirement / Long Stay)
A long-stay retirement visa for applicants aged 50 and over with the required savings or pension income; employment of any kind is prohibited.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · One-year stay; renewable annually if the financial and other conditions continue to be met.
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit entrepreneurs moving to Kingdom of Thailand?+
Kingdom of Thailand has 4 routes that commonly fit entrepreneurs: Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa, SMART Visa, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Retirement / Long Stay). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do entrepreneurs need a job offer to move to Kingdom of Thailand?+
Not always. 4 of the 4 matched Kingdom of Thailand routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa), while 0 need a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can entrepreneurs settle permanently in Kingdom of Thailand?+
None of the routes that most closely fit entrepreneurs here are flagged as leading directly to permanent residence — they are temporary or transitional. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later; see all Kingdom of Thailand routes for the options.