Kingdom of Thailand · skilled migration
SMART Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. BOI publishes qualification endorsement and processing details on the official SMART Visa portal.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. BOI sets the SMART Visa fee; confirm the current figure on the official portal.
- Typical duration
- Maximum four-year permission to stay, depending on the SMART type; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 12 July 2026, the SMART Visa for Kingdom of Thailand is an unsponsored Thailand immigration route. Sources: official Kingdom of Thailand government pages, reviewed 12 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/thailand/smart-visa#answer
What is the SMART Visa in Kingdom of Thailand?
SMART Visa is an unsponsored Thailand route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. BOI sets the SMART Visa fee; confirm the current figure on the official portal; indicative processing time is Indicative only. BOI publishes qualification endorsement and processing details on the official SMART Visa portal; typical duration is Maximum four-year permission to stay, depending on the SMART type; renewable subject to continued eligibility. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Board of Investment (Thailand) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The SMART Visa is a Board of Investment (BOI) programme designed to attract high-skilled professionals, investors, executives and startup entrepreneurs in Thailand targeted industries. It comes in five types: SMART T (Talent), SMART I (Investor), SMART E (Executive), SMART S (Startup) and SMART O (Other, for dependents). SMART Visa holders are granted up to four years of permission to stay, are exempted from the standard work-permit requirement, and receive additional privileges. Eligibility is tied to BOI-defined targeted industries and qualifying criteria.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Activity falls within a BOI targeted industry.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ✓Meet the qualifying criteria for the specific SMART type (talent, investor, executive or startup).Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ✓Obtain a qualification endorsement from BOI and the relevant agencies.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ✓Meet any salary, investment or company thresholds set for the chosen type.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
Common blockers
- !Industry or role outside BOI targeted-industry scope.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- !Salary, investment or company criteria for the type not met.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- !No BOI qualification endorsement.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- !Applying under a SMART type that does not match the actual activity.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal documents.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ·Employment, investment or company documents for the SMART type.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ·BOI qualification endorsement.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ·Evidence of meeting salary, investment or startup criteria.Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
- ·Documents for accompanying dependents (SMART O).Board of Investment (Thailand) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your role or business sits within a BOI targeted industry and the right SMART type.
Build the evidence pack
Apply for the BOI qualification endorsement with supporting employment, investment or startup evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the SMART Visa application through the official BOI channel after endorsement.
After approval
After approval, collect the visa and rely on the work-permit exemption for permitted activities, renewing within the validity period.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official SMART Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for SMART Visa.
Board of Investment (Thailand) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Do SMART Visa holders need a work permit?+
No. A key benefit of the SMART Visa is exemption from the standard work-permit requirement for the activity it is granted for, along with longer permitted stay. Confirm the precise scope of permitted work on the BOI portal.
How is the SMART Visa different from the LTR visa?+
Both are BOI programmes, but the SMART Visa is built around targeted-industry talent, investors, executives and tech startups with up to four years stay, while the LTR visa is a broader up-to-10-year programme covering remote professionals, wealthy individuals and pensioners. Check the eligibility on each official portal.
Is there a Thai work route that doesn't need an employer to sponsor me?+
The SMART Visa is not employer-sponsored; it is tied to a BOI qualification endorsement and to meeting the criteria for your SMART type, and holders are exempted from the standard work-permit requirement for the activity it is granted for. It is aimed at high-skilled talent, investors, executives and startup founders in BOI targeted industries, so your role and sector must fit; confirm the scope on the official BOI portal.
Is there a Thai visa for tech startup founders?+
Yes. The SMART Visa includes a Startup type, SMART S, for entrepreneurs in technology-based ventures within BOI targeted industries, granting up to four years of stay with no separate work permit required. Eligibility depends on BOI's qualifying criteria, so confirm them on the official BOI SMART Visa portal.
How long can I stay in Thailand on a SMART Visa?+
The SMART Visa grants a maximum of four years of permission to stay, depending on the SMART type, and is renewable subject to continued eligibility. Confirm the validity for your specific type on the official BOI portal.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in ThailandHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Board of Investment (Thailand)
Last checked: 1 June 2026