Define the targeted industry
Identify the Thai company or business activity and why it falls within the programme’s targeted-industry framework.
Targeted industries and specialist talent
Thailand Smart Visa: categories, criteria and work-permit treatment
Smart Visa is a specialist BOI programme for defined talent, investors, executives, startup founders and their dependants in targeted industries. It is not a general work visa and the correct category depends on the applicant’s role, employer, company and evidence.
Match the category to the real role
Smart Visa is a programme, not a shortcut
The BOI Smart Visa portal describes a maximum four-year permission to stay and programme-specific work-permit exemption or facilitation. Those benefits apply only when the applicant satisfies the relevant Smart category and continues to meet its conditions.
Which Smart category may fit?
The category names describe different applicant profiles. They should not be combined into one generic eligibility test.
| Category | Typical profile | Evidence focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smart T | Talent or highly skilled professional in a targeted industry. | Expertise, employment or assignment, salary and endorsement evidence. |
| Smart I | Investor in a technology-based business or targeted industry. | Qualifying investment, company activity and financial evidence. |
| Smart E | Executive of a qualifying company in a targeted industry. | Position, employer, salary, company status and endorsement. |
| Smart S | Technology-based startup entrepreneur. | Certified Thai startup, ownership or director role, deposit and health insurance. |
| Smart O | Eligible spouse or child of a principal Smart Visa holder. | Relationship, principal-holder status and category-specific dependant conditions. |
Verified Smart S example. The BOI Smart S page states that a startup founder must have established a certified targeted-industry startup in Thailand, hold at least 25% of registered capital or be a director, maintain a deposit of at least 600,000 Baht for at least three months, and have health insurance. This is a Smart S example—not a universal Smart Visa checklist.
What the process usually has to prove
Smart applications must connect the applicant’s background to a targeted-industry activity in Thailand. A CV or job title on its own is not enough if the employer, company, investment, salary or certification evidence does not support the category.
Endorsement and visa issuance are distinct steps. The applicant may need to submit programme evidence for qualification review before following the instructions for visa issuance. Changes of employer, job or business can require additional endorsement or a new assessment.
Prepare evidence around the category
Prove the professional or investment profile
Collect employment, qualification, ownership, investment, salary or startup documents that directly support the selected category.
Secure endorsement evidence
Ask the employer, startup or relevant agency what certification or endorsement it can provide before submission.
Plan dependants separately
Spouses and children have their own relationship and application evidence even when linked to the principal applicant.
Related VistoRoute pages
Smart Visa FAQs
Does Smart Visa remove all work-permit requirements?
The programme provides category-specific work-permit treatment for qualifying work. It does not authorise unrelated employment or every activity in Thailand.
Can a normal Thai company sponsor Smart Visa?
The employer, company activity and targeted-industry conditions must fit the relevant Smart category. A job offer alone does not prove eligibility.
Is Smart S for anyone starting a business?
No. The published Smart S criteria are for a technology-based startup in a targeted industry with certification, ownership or director conditions and financial/health evidence.
Can Smart Visa holders change jobs?
A change may require additional endorsement or a fresh assessment. Do not assume the original approval follows a new role automatically.
Are dependants automatic?
No. Eligible spouses and children have their own application and relationship evidence under the programme rules.
Independent-information disclaimer. VistoRoute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Government of Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, any Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General, the Board of Investment, Thailand Privilege, any hospital, or any other Thai authority or programme operator. Visa rules, membership terms, documents, fees, processing practices and entry decisions can change and may vary by nationality, residence, purpose, passport type and responsible organisation. Verify the latest requirements with the relevant authority before applying or travelling.