Thailand SMART Visa in 2026: What Is Left After the BOI Overhaul (SMART S for Startups)

If you read about the SMART Visa before 2025, most of what you read is now out of date. For years the programme had five categories: T (talent), I (investor), E (executive), S (startup) and O (dependants). In February 2025 the Board of Investment (BOI) issued Announcement No. Por 5/2568, which reorganised the scheme around the newer Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa. The practical result:

• SMART T, SMART I and SMART E are closed to new applicants. Talent, investors and executives are now steered to the matching LTR categories.
• SMART S (startup founders) remains, together with dependant visas for SMART S holders.

This guide explains what SMART S offers, who qualifies, what it costs, how long it takes, and when you should apply for an LTR, a Non-B or a regular company set-up instead.

1. What changed in 2025, in one table#

Existing holders of T, I or E visas keep their status for the remaining term under the rules that applied when they were endorsed; what they cannot do is open a new file under those categories. If you are close to the end of an older SMART term, plan the switch to LTR or a Non-B early: the LTR endorsement alone takes around 20 working days once your file is complete.

2. SMART S in brief#

3. Who actually qualifies#

The startup must be real and in a targeted sector#

The BOI's targeted industries include digital and software, smart electronics, automation and robotics, medical and wellness technology, biotechnology, food innovation, advanced agriculture, logistics, aviation, renewable energy, and similar "S-curve" sectors. A trading company, a restaurant or a general consultancy does not qualify, however innovative its marketing.

What distinguishes a successful SMART S file is third-party recognition. The BOI relies on a certifying agency to vouch that the business is a genuine startup. In practice founders obtain certification through:

• NIA startup programmes and its startup registry;
• depa for digital businesses (depa also runs its own startup certification and the digital-industry incentives);
• recognised incubators or accelerators acknowledged by the BOI, or government-backed startup programmes.

Each agency has its own intake form, pitch or document review. Budget 2 to 6 weeks for this step; it often takes longer than the BOI part.

Your role in the company#

You must either hold 25% or more of the shares or be a director of the startup. Founders who hold a smaller stake after a funding round usually keep a board seat for this reason.

Funds#

The 600,000 THB deposit must sit in a savings account for 3 months before you apply; fixed deposits and investment accounts do not count. Each dependant adds 180,000 THB. A founder with a spouse and two children therefore needs 600,000 + 3 × 180,000 = 1,140,000 THB in savings. The account may be in Thailand or abroad; for funds abroad, expect to provide statements and a bank letter.

4. Where the company sits: Thai startup vs. "about to set up"#

SMART S has historically allowed two situations: a founder whose startup is already incorporated in Thailand, and a founder who is coming to Thailand to set up the startup and is supported by an incubation or accelerator programme. The 2025 announcement centres on startups in Thailand. If you have not incorporated yet, check with the BOI or TIESC whether your accelerator route is still accepted for an initial term before you plan around it.

If you need to incorporate, remember the Foreign Business Act: a Thai private limited company with more than 49% foreign shareholding needs a Foreign Business Licence or BOI promotion to provide most services. Many tech startups solve this by applying for BOI promotion for the company itself (for example under software or digital-service activities), which lifts the foreign-ownership restriction and gives tax incentives. See our BOI guide and FBA guide.

5. Process and timeline#

1. Startup certification from NIA, depa or another recognised body: 2–6 weeks.
2. Open and fund the savings account with 600,000 THB (+180,000 per dependant), and let it season for 3 months. Start this in parallel with step 1.
3. Online application at smart-visa.boi.go.th with passport, CV, company documents (DBD affidavit, shareholder list), certification letter, bank statements and health insurance.
4. BOI completeness check: about 3 working days.
5. Qualification review with the certifying agency: up to 20 working days.
6. Endorsement letter issued by email.
7. Visa issuance at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, or at TIESC/Immigration in Bangkok if you are already in Thailand. You must act within 60 days of the endorsement.

Allowing for the deposit seasoning, a realistic total from decision to visa is 3–4 months, of which BOI processing is roughly one month.

Where to go in Bangkok#

The BOI's Thailand Investment and Expansion Support Center (TIESC) opened on 17 March 2025 on the 6th–7th floors of One Bangkok, PARADE Zone, Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10330 (tel. 02 209 1109/1110). It handles SMART and LTR visa issuance and the related services formerly done at the One Start One Stop centre.

6. Terms, renewals and reporting#

• The first SMART S grant is for up to 6 months and can be renewed once, giving the founder time to reach a funding or certification milestone.
• After that, a qualifying founder moves to 2-year terms of stay.
• Each person pays the 10,000 THB annual fee; there is no separate endorsement charge.
• Instead of the 90-day report, holders file an annual status report, and no re-entry permit is needed for trips abroad.

7. Worked example#

Anna, a German software engineer, holds 40% of a Bangkok company developing logistics-routing software. The company holds depa certification. She wants to move with her husband.

Her husband may also work in Thailand as a SMART dependant. Without SMART S, Anna would need a Non-B visa, a work permit, the 2 million THB capital guideline and four Thai employees per foreigner (Immigration Order 12/2568) to stay long-term through her company.

8. SMART S vs. LTR vs. Non-B#

Rule of thumb: if you are a founder of an early-stage, certified tech company with no high salary yet, SMART S is the fit. If you already earn USD 80,000 or more, the LTR is almost always better. If your business is not tech, use the normal company + Non-B route.

9. Common reasons for refusal#

• No recognised certification. A pitch deck alone is not evidence.
• Funds in the wrong account type or not held for 3 months.
• Activity outside the targeted industries, such as e-commerce reselling or agency work.
• Stake below 25% without a directorship.
• Health insurance not covering the full stay.
• Trying to work outside the startup. The exemption covers the endorsed startup only. Remember that 27 occupations are reserved for Thai nationals under the Ministry of Labour's 2020 notification.

10. A practical checklist#

• [ ] Confirm the activity is on the BOI targeted list.
• [ ] Book an intake with NIA or depa, or your accelerator.
• [ ] Fund the savings account now; the 3-month clock is the longest lead time.
• [ ] Prepare a DBD company affidavit (under 3 months old) and shareholder list (Bor Or Jor 5).
• [ ] Buy health insurance covering the full term.
• [ ] Prepare a 1–2 page business summary in English: product, traction, team, funding.
• [ ] Book an appointment at TIESC, or plan which embassy will issue the visa.

Frequently asked questions#

Can I still get a SMART T visa? Not as a new applicant. Since Por 5/2568, specialists should look at the LTR Highly Skilled Professional category.

I hold a SMART E or T visa today. Am I affected? Your current endorsement runs to the end of its term. Before it expires, prepare an LTR or Non-B file so there is no gap.

Does a SMART S holder need a work permit? No, not for work in the endorsed startup. Other work requires separate authorisation.

How much money do I need for a family of four? 600,000 THB plus 3 × 180,000 THB = 1,140,000 THB in savings, held for 3 months.

Is there a tax benefit? No. SMART S holders pay ordinary personal income tax. The 17% flat rate applies only to LTR Highly Skilled Professionals.

Can my spouse work? Yes. Dependants of SMART S holders are allowed to work in Thailand.

Where do I apply in Bangkok? Online at smart-visa.boi.go.th. Visa issuance in Bangkok is at the BOI's TIESC in One Bangkok on Rama IV Road.

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Related guides#

• Thailand LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident): Categories, Requirements and Tax Benefits
• Thailand DTV (Destination Thailand Visa): Remote Work, Requirements and Limits
• BOI Promotion in Thailand: Incentives, Eligibility and How to Apply
• Thai Work Permit Guide 2026: Requirements, Documents, Fees and Process