A SMART Visa route for senior executives employed by a Thailand-based, technology-driven company in an eligible targeted industry.
Route overview
SMART Executive
Typical timeline / duration: Up to 4 years
Important notes
Earn at least THB 200,000 per month or the equivalent. Extra compensation such as bonuses, housing allowance, and measurable benefits may count when documented.
Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least 10 years of relevant experience. The position must be senior management with decision-making or binding authority, such as COO, CTO, EVP, CEO, or Managing Director, depending on the company's size and organisation.
Have an employment or service contract with an entity in Thailand with at least one year remaining. A foreign-company assignment can qualify only when there is a service or trade agreement with a Thai company and the Thai role is covered by the required appointment and employment evidence.
Work for a company certified as technology-based in manufacturing or services in a targeted industry. Examples include digital, smart electronics, next-generation automotive, automation and robotics, aviation and logistics, medical, agriculture and biotechnology, food for the future, and renewable-energy businesses.
Obtain a SMART Visa qualification endorsement coordinated through the Board of Investment (BOI) and comply with the approved employer, position, reporting, and workplace-change conditions.
BOI means Thailand's Board of Investment. For SMART E, the BOI/SMART Visa process coordinates the qualification endorsement; this is the eligibility confirmation used before visa issuance, not a separate investment requirement.
SMART E has no minimum investment or savings threshold of its own. The key financial test is the documented minimum income of THB 200,000 per month; the employer's annual report or latest financial statements may also be requested to show that the company is operating.
Typical evidence includes the signed employment or service contract, appointment letter, organisation chart, employer registration and business description, targeted-industry certification, degree or equivalence certificate, employment certificates or reference letters showing 10 years of relevant experience, payslips or tax/income evidence, and the BOI qualification-endorsement notification.
The visa can be renewed for up to four years, but not beyond the contract term. SMART E holders receive a one-year reporting interval instead of 90-day reporting and do not need a work permit for the endorsed position and company. A job or workplace change requires the relevant new endorsement; loss of the job or eligibility can end the privilege.
This is an employment-linked executive route, not a remote-worker route. A person with no Thai employment contract, Thai assignment, or overseas-to-Thai service arrangement is not eligible.
SMART Investor and SMART Startup Entrepreneur are separate SMART Visa categories with different tests: Investor is based on qualifying investment, while Startup Entrepreneur is based on a Thai technology startup, founder ownership or directorship, and startup funds.
Preparation checklist
Passport, SMART Visa application, photograph, and the BOI qualification-endorsement notification.
Signed employment or service contract showing the Thai entity, executive position, income, duties, and at least one year remaining; include the appointment letter and organisation chart showing decision-making authority.
Employer evidence: Thai company registration, business description, latest annual report or financial statements, and certification that its technology-based manufacturing or service activity falls within a targeted industry.
Applicant evidence: bachelor's degree or equivalent, translated or certified where required, plus employment certificates, reference letters, or other records showing at least 10 years of relevant experience.
Financial evidence: payslips, employment income certificate, bank credits, tax filings, bonus or allowance records, and other documents that together show at least THB 200,000 per month or equivalent.
If assigned by an overseas company, add the intercompany service or trade agreement and the overseas employment certificate; if changing employer or workplace, obtain the required new endorsement before relying on the change.
SMART Visa variants
These routes serve a similar purpose or sit within the same visa family, so they are shown together for comparison; each has its own page.