Thailand SMART Visa for Startup Founders

The 2025 reform matters

BOI Announcement Por. 5/2568, dated 18 February 2025 retains the startup route and dependents for new applications, replacing the older qualification framework. Do not plan a new application around historical SMART T, I or E descriptions, or the old six-month/one-year startup-incubation options.

Existing holders should ask BOI which transition or renewal rules apply to their individual record. The change in the new-application framework should not be interpreted as automatic cancellation of every previously issued permission. For other high-potential professionals and investors, compare LTR.

SMART S eligibility

The current criteria require a startup established in Thailand and certified in a targeted industry by a relevant agency. The applicant must hold at least 25% of registered capital or be a director, maintain at least THB 600,000 in the accepted bank account for three months, and hold the required health insurance. An additional THB 180,000 per accompanying spouse or child is required with the same holding period.

Startup certification is separate from company registration. A restaurant, trading company or consulting business does not qualify merely because it is newly incorporated. Explain the technology, innovation, target industry and scalable business model with evidence that the relevant agency can assess.

Build the endorsement dossier

• Passport and Thai immigration records requested in the current checklist.
• Company incorporation, director and shareholder records showing the applicant’s role.
• Evidence of certification in a targeted industry and the business’s actual activity.
• A clear pitch deck, business model and supporting project information.
• Bank statements covering the required balance and holding period for the applicant and dependents.
• Health insurance for the relevant stay and individual family records.
• Qualifications, contracts or further evidence requested by the reviewing agencies.

Use the current two-year SMART S checklist. It specifies health cover for hospitalisation of at least THB 500,000 and the relevant company and financial evidence. Do not reuse a superseded checklist that still has six-month and one-year columns.

Endorsement comes before visa issuance

The current procedure announcement describes inter-agency checks and a 30-working-day framework for a complete endorsement application. It requires visa issuance action within 60 days of the endorsement letter and renewal application planning at least 60 days before expiry. Missing documents can affect the timetable.

1. Confirm the startup and targeted-industry certification route.
2. Prepare the applicant, company and dependent evidence.
3. Submit through the official SMART process and answer reviewing-agency questions.
4. After endorsement, follow the instructed visa-issuance procedure within the validity of the letter.
5. Check the granted period and record annual status-reporting and renewal dates.

An endorsement letter is not a substitute for the visa or permission to stay. If already in Thailand, keep the existing stay lawful during the review and coordinate the transition with BOI and Immigration.

Work rights and their limits

The SMART S programme page describes a renewable stay of up to two years and work without a separate work permit for the certified activity. The current announcement requires additional certification when work changes or is added. This is not an unrestricted permission for unrelated jobs.

The lawful spouse has a specific programme work entitlement, subject to its limits. Do not assume the same entitlement applies to children or to dependents holding another category. Prohibited occupations and professional requirements remain relevant.

Keep the certification and actual duties aligned. If the startup pivots, a founder becomes an employee elsewhere or a second company is added, review the approval before treating the original endorsement as sufficient.

Annual reporting, insurance and travel

SMART has programme-specific annual immigration reporting and re-entry facilities. The BOI management guidance also covers changes and passport updates. Separately, the procedure announcement requires an annual status report confirming continued qualification; do not confuse this with address reporting.

Maintain the required health cover and supporting records throughout the stay. Plan the renewal early enough to obtain updated startup and company evidence. If the business closes or the applicant no longer holds the qualifying role, ask BOI about the effect on status and the proper transition.

Coordinate immigration with company compliance

SMART does not override foreign-business restrictions, company licensing, accounting or tax obligations. A founder should review the company’s ownership, authorised activity, payroll and reporting arrangements alongside the individual visa. See our company-setup guide and accounting services.

Pimaccounting can discuss the company records and document coordination needed for an assessment. We do not claim to grant BOI endorsements or guarantee startup certification. Ask for a scope separating company work, programme preparation and any specialist involvement.

Frequently asked questions