A SMART Visa route for investors putting qualifying capital into a Thailand-based, technology-driven business in a targeted industry.
Route overview
SMART Investor
Typical timeline / duration: Up to 4 years
Important notes
Invest at least THB 20 million as an individual investor or through a qualifying venture-capital company directly into a Thailand-based, technology-based manufacturing or service business in a targeted industry; or invest at least THB 5 million as an individual in a certified startup or an endorsed incubator or accelerator programme.
The invested business must be located in Thailand and certified as technology-based in manufacturing or services in a targeted industry by the relevant government agency. The business does not necessarily have to be promoted by BOI itself.
If investing through a company or venture-capital structure, show the applicant's ownership and calculate the applicant's actual proportional investment. Investment made solely in an overseas company does not qualify.
Obtain the SMART Visa qualification endorsement and maintain the qualifying investment for the validity period. Provide the required identity, financial, company, and health-insurance documents.
Follow the reporting, workplace, renewal, and investment-maintenance conditions. SMART Investor is an investment route, not a general work permit or a substitute for SMART Executive.
BOI means Thailand's Board of Investment. The SMART Visa Unit coordinates the qualification endorsement with the relevant endorsing agencies; the endorsement confirms that the investor, investment, and business satisfy the SMART criteria.
The two principal investment alternatives are THB 20 million in a technology-based targeted-industry business, or THB 5 million in a certified startup or endorsed incubator or accelerator programme. The investment must be made directly and maintained throughout the SMART Visa validity period.
Typical evidence includes the Thai company's registration and business description, targeted-industry certification, current shareholder list, subscription or purchase documents, bank-transfer records showing the money entering the business, venture-capital certification where relevant, and proof of the applicant's proportional ownership. A shareholder list should be current; the official FAQ refers to a list no older than three months at submission.
SMART Investor has no separate minimum monthly salary requirement. Its main financial test is the qualifying investment, while the applicant must still show lawful funds and the source and movement of the investment capital.
The visa is renewable for up to four years. SMART Investor holders generally report once a year rather than every 90 days, do not need a re-entry permit, and do not need a work permit for the permitted activity with the endorsed entity or government agency. A change requires the relevant additional endorsement.
SMART Investor is different from SMART Executive and SMART Startup Entrepreneur: it is based on investment capital, not senior employment or founding and operating a Thai startup.
Preparation checklist
Passport, SMART Visa application, photograph, and the qualification-endorsement notification.
Thai company registration, business description, and targeted-industry certification for the invested business or programme.
Current shareholder list, investment or subscription agreement, proof of ownership, and a clear calculation of the applicant's actual investment amount.
Bank-transfer records, account statements, source-of-funds evidence, and venture-capital certification or programme acceptance where relevant, showing at least THB 20 million or THB 5 million under the applicable route.
Health insurance and any documents required for the investment, company, reporting, renewal, or workplace arrangement.
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.