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If you're a senior tech professional, startup founder, executive, or investor in one of Thailand's 13 BOI-targeted industries — SMART is a strong fit. 4-year multi-entry visa, no separate work permit required, 1-year reporting (not 90-day), spouse + kids included. Five subcategories (T/I/E/S/O). Application via BOI online portal, 30-day endorsement process. Compared to LTR: smaller financial threshold, narrower industry fit. Compared to Non-B: no annual renewals, no employer-tied permit.
What SMART actually is
The SMART Visa was launched by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) in 2018 as part of the Thailand 4.0 economic strategy — an effort to attract foreign tech talent, investment, and startup activity to BOI-promoted industries. It's separate from the LTR (also BOI) and serves a narrower professional/industry niche.
Key differences from a regular Non-B + work permit:
- 4-year visa instead of 1-year renewals
- No separate work permit required — the SMART visa itself authorises work in your endorsed role
- 1-year reporting at BOI instead of 90-day TM47s at immigration
- Family included — spouse + children get matching 4-year visas, spouse can work without separate permit
- BOI One-Stop Service Center handles renewals and operations, not regular immigration
The 5 SMART categories
Highly-skilled professional
For specialists in BOI-targeted industries. Endorsed by BOI-approved employer or agency.
MIN ฿100K/MONTHInvestor in tech / BOI sector
Personal investment of ฿20M+ in BOI-promoted Thai company or technology business.
MIN ฿20M INVESTMENTSenior executive
Senior management role in BOI-promoted company. 10+ years experience in your industry.
MIN ฿200K/MONTH · 10Y EXPStartup founder
Founder/co-founder of Thai tech startup with at least one DEPA-, NIA-, or BOI-endorsed accelerator/incubator participation.
฿600K SEED + INCUBATORSpouse / Children
Spouse and unmarried children under 18 of T/I/E/S visa holders. Spouse can work without separate permit.
DEPENDENT — FREE WORKThe 13 targeted industries
SMART is only available if your work / company / investment is in one of these BOI-targeted "S-Curve" industries:
- Next-generation automotive
- Smart electronics
- Affluent, medical and wellness tourism
- Agriculture and biotechnology
- Food for the future
- Automation and robotics
- Aviation and logistics
- Biofuels and biochemicals
- Digital (incl. software, AI, big data, cybersecurity)
- Medical hub
- Defence industry
- Human resources development
- Alternative dispute resolution / international arbitration
If your work doesn't fit one of these — SMART won't work for you. Consider Non-B + work permit, LTR Work-from-Thailand, or DTV instead.
The cost
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SMART visa fee | ฿10,000 | One-time, covers full 4 years |
| Dependent visa (per person) | ฿10,000 | Spouse + children under 18 |
| BOI endorsement processing | Free | 30-day review by BOI |
| 1-year report (BOI One-Stop) | Free | Replaces 90-day TM47 |
| Re-entry permit | Not needed | SMART is multi-entry |
| Health insurance | $50K+ coverage | Required for all categories |
Application — step by step
- Confirm endorsement. You need a Thai employer / company / investment / startup that BOI considers eligible. Get a tentative letter of endorsement before applying.
- Apply via BOI online portal at smart-visa.boi.go.th. Upload contracts, salary proof, experience proof, company endorsement, insurance.
- BOI review (30 days). They consult relevant agencies (DEPA for digital, NIA for startups, etc.).
- Receive endorsement letter if approved. Valid 60 days.
- Collect SMART visa at a Thai embassy or at BOI One-Stop Service Center in Bangkok.
- Enter Thailand on the SMART visa. Begin work immediately.
- Annual report at BOI One-Stop, not at immigration.
SMART vs alternatives
| Visa | Validity | Work permit | Income req | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMART | 4 yrs | Bundled | ฿100K/m (T) | BOI industries · executives · startups |
| LTR | 10 yrs | Bundled (H/T) | $80K/yr | Broader · tax exempt (W/P/T) |
| Non-B | 1 yr | Separate | Thai employer | Any Thai employer · annual |
| DTV | 5 yrs | Not allowed | None directly | Remote work · foreign clients |
4 common Pattaya pitfalls
- Assuming any tech job qualifies. The 13 targeted industries are narrow — generic software dev for a non-BOI company often doesn't qualify. Confirm BOI-eligibility before applying.
- Mixing SMART roles. The visa is tied to your endorsed role. If you switch employers / roles mid-visa, you need a re-endorsement. Notify BOI immediately.
- Forgetting the insurance. $50K+ health coverage is required. Missing this delays approval.
- Family work confusion. SMART-O (dependent) spouse can work without a separate permit — but the work itself must be reported to BOI. Don't just start working unannounced.
Comparing SMART with other long-stay options? See SMART vs LTR and DTV vs SMART for the full side-by-side.
Common questions
Related: AI engineers · Switch Non-B → LTR · DTV vs SMART
Pilots: DE · RU · Hubs: Visas (DE) · Visas (RU) · Budget (DE) · Pattaya (RU) · smart-vs-ltr · dtv-vs-smart
Can I get SMART if I work remote for a foreign company?
No — SMART requires endorsement from a Thai entity (BOI-promoted employer, investee, or accelerator). For remote work from foreign companies, look at DTV or LTR Work-from-Thailand instead.
What if my industry isn't on the 13 list?
Then SMART isn't for you. Most regular tech jobs (general software, IT support, marketing) fall outside. You'd need Non-B + work permit, or LTR if you qualify income-wise.
Can I renew SMART after 4 years?
Yes — apply for a new SMART. Same eligibility criteria. Most renewals are smoother than initial applications because BOI already has your file.
Is SMART available in Pattaya or Bangkok-only?
BOI One-Stop service center is in Bangkok (Chamchuri Square). For routine SMART work, online portal + occasional Bangkok visits are sufficient. You can live and work in Pattaya — just travel to Bangkok for the 1-year report.
Does SMART grant a path to PR or citizenship?
No direct PR path under SMART itself. However, time on SMART counts toward general residency timelines if you later transition to a PR-eligible visa (Non-B with work permit for 3+ years, or Marriage).