SMART-S (Startup) — Startup Founder
SMART-S (Startup) — ผู้ก่อตั้งสตาร์ทอัพ
Startup founders endorsed by NIA / depa / national science parks.
Quick Answer
SMART-S gives foreign startup founders who complete an NIA/depa accelerator a 4-year residency, subject to incorporating the company and holding a a fee quoted after review fixed deposit.
Timeline: on a timeline we confirm after reviewing the documents including accelerator.
Who qualifies
Founders or co-founders of S-curve startups endorsed by NIA, depa, or at least one Regional Science Park.
- Complete an NIA-recognised accelerator / incubator.
- Maintain the current official rate fixed deposit throughout the visa term.
- Register a Thai company within 1 year of visa issuance, holding ≥ 25% of shares as founder.
- Submit a year-2 progress report with revenue evidence.
Documents required
- Certificate of completion from an NIA-recognised accelerator / incubator.
- a fee quoted after review fixed-deposit confirmation.
- 3-year business plan + pitch deck.
- Endorsement letter from depa / NIA / Science Park.
- Passport, police clearance, medical certificate.
- Post-incorporation: company affidavit + shareholder register + financials.
Workflow
- Complete an accelerator / incubator (3–6 months).
- Obtain the NIA / depa Endorsement.
- File SMART-S on BOI Online with certified translations.
- Receive initial 1-year visa → renew to 2 years at year 2 → another 2 years at year 4.
- Incorporate the company and open a corporate account within year 1.
Benefits
- Residence for 4 years to grow the startup.
- No Work Permit for the founder's own company.
- Spouse / children get SMART-O with work rights.
- Annual reporting only.
SMART-S starts with a 1-year visa per BOI Announcement 3/2561; a 2-year renewal requires demonstrable revenue or ongoing funding.
FAQ
- Founder only, or is co-founder OK?
- Co-founder qualifies with ≥ 25% shareholding and a managerial role documented in the MoA.
- What if I don't get accelerator endorsement?
- Use a DTV or classic Non-B + Work Permit route first, then reapply for SMART-S after graduating.
- Can I withdraw the deposit?
- It must remain intact for the visa term; BOI verifies at each annual reporting.
- Fees?
- Fees depend on the documents, destination and urgency. Send your documents for a written quote after review — no prices are published. Any government or embassy fees are set by the authority; verify them directly before filing.
Contact: 083-2494999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@nyclegal.co.th
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Official sources — visa & work permit
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Immigration Bureau — visas, 90-day reporting, TM.30— Immigration Bureau
- Thai e-Visa Official Portal— MFA Thailand
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)— Immigration Bureau
- Department of Employment — work permits for foreigners— Department of Employment
- Board of Investment (BOI) / LTR Visa— Thailand Board of Investment
- Department of Consular Affairs — document legalisation— Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the DTV and who realistically qualifies?
- The Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once per entry by a further 180 days at an immigration office. It targets remote workers employed or contracted outside Thailand, freelancers with foreign clients, and participants in Thai soft-power activities such as Muay Thai training, cooking courses or medical treatment, and it requires evidence of the current official rate in available funds.
- How is the LTR visa different from the DTV?
- The Long-Term Resident visa is a ten-year visa administered by the Board of Investment for wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals, and it bundles a digital work permit, a flat 17% personal income tax rate for the skilled-professional category and annual instead of 90-day reporting. The DTV is cheaper and faster but grants no work permit for Thai-sourced work and no tax privileges.
- Can I work in Thailand on a tourist or DTV visa?
- No — any work performed inside Thailand requires a work permit or an equivalent digital work authorization, regardless of where the employer or client is located. The DTV is intended for work delivered to foreign employers and clients; taking on Thai clients or a Thai employer requires switching to a Non-B or LTR pathway with proper authorization.
- What most often causes a Schengen or UK visa refusal from Thailand?
- The dominant causes are weak evidence of ties to Thailand, bank statements that show a sudden unexplained deposit shortly before filing, inconsistencies between the application form and supporting documents, insufficient or non-compliant travel insurance, and an itinerary that does not match the stated purpose. Refusals are recorded, so a re-application must directly address the refusal ground rather than simply resubmit the same file.