Thailand Smart S Startup Visa in 2026

Thailand's Smart S program is an endorsed startup route for technology-based businesses in targeted industries. It is not a generic visa for anyone who registers a company.

Who Smart S is for

Thailand's Smart S category is an endorsed startup route, not a generic company-registration visa. The established-startup route is for founders of a Thai technology-based startup in one of the targeted industries certified by the competent Thai agencies.

For the two-year established-startup visa, the current BOI page requires the applicant to hold at least 25% of the registered capital of the certified startup or be a director of the company. The startup must have been certified as technology-based in a targeted industry by the relevant government agencies.

Financial requirement

The founder must show a deposit of at least THB 600,000 in Thailand or another country held for at least three months. For accompanying family, BOI requires an additional THB 180,000 per person, also held for at least three months.

Health insurance covering the applicant and accompanying family for the full stay is also required.

Visa duration and work rights

The established-startup Smart S can be granted for up to two years and renewed when the qualifying conditions continue. The holder does not need a separate work permit for work in the endorsed startup activity.

BOI also provides benefits including annual immigration reporting instead of ordinary 90-day reporting and no re-entry permit requirement for the Smart Visa holder. A qualifying spouse can work without a separate work permit under the Smart Visa framework, subject to the conditions of the program.

The work-permit exemption is tied to the endorsed business/activity. It should not be treated as unrestricted permission to work for any unrelated Thai company.

Pre-establishment Smart S

BOI also publishes shorter Smart S options for applicants who have an endorsed startup plan or are participating in approved startup-development activities before establishing the company. These are not substitutes for the established-startup criteria and are normally limited to the endorsed startup-building activity. Once the Thai startup is established and certified, the founder can pursue the longer established-startup Smart S where the requirements are met.

Application process

  1. Confirm that the proposed business falls within an eligible targeted technology/innovation industry.
  2. Obtain the required startup/technology certification or endorsement from the competent Thai agency through the Smart Visa process.
  3. Prepare proof of the THB 600,000 deposit and, where applicable, the additional THB 180,000 per dependant.
  4. For the established-startup route, document the 25% shareholding or director position in the certified Thai startup.
  5. Submit the Smart Visa qualification application and supporting documents through BOI's Smart Visa system.
  6. After endorsement, complete visa issuance through the designated Thai immigration/consular channel.
  7. Maintain the certified startup activity and qualifying ownership/director position through renewal.

The current official program information is at BOI Smart S.

Smart S vs ordinary company ownership

Incorporating a Thai company does not itself create Smart S eligibility. The route is designed for certified technology-based startups in targeted industries. A founder running an ordinary non-certified business may need a different immigration/work structure, commonly involving Non-Immigrant B and work authorization.

Tax and corporate obligations

Smart S immigration privileges do not replace Thai company-law, tax, accounting, payroll or professional-licensing obligations. The startup and founder should separately assess Revenue Department, company-registration and labour requirements applicable to the business.

Long-term residence

Smart S is renewable temporary immigration status, not permanent residence. Thailand's ordinary permanent-residence process is separate and quota-based. Founders with a long-term PR objective should confirm whether their exact Smart Visa history and extensions satisfy the current PR rules at the time they become eligible.

Common mistakes

  • assuming any newly registered Thai company qualifies;
  • overlooking the targeted-industry certification requirement;
  • missing the THB 600,000 held for three months rule;
  • forgetting the additional THB 180,000 per dependant where applicable;
  • assuming the work-permit exemption covers unrelated work outside the endorsed startup; and
  • treating the two-year Smart S as automatic permanent residence.

Frequently asked questions

How much ownership does a founder need?

For the established-startup route, BOI currently requires at least 25% of registered capital or a director position in the certified startup.

How long is Smart S valid?

The established-startup Smart S can be issued for up to two years and renewed if the criteria continue to be met.

Does a Smart S founder need a work permit?

No separate work permit is required for work in the endorsed startup activity under the Smart Visa program.

Can my spouse work?

BOI describes spouse work privileges under the Smart Visa framework without a separate work permit, subject to the program's conditions.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Thailand