SMART-T (Talent) — Highly-Skilled Expert
SMART-T (Talent) — ผู้เชี่ยวชาญทักษะสูง
Engineers, scientists, researchers, specialty physicians in 13 S-curve industries.
Quick Answer
SMART-T lets foreign experts work in an S-curve industry for 4 years without a Work Permit, provided monthly pay is ≥ THB 100,000 and the sector authority endorses the role.
Timeline: 60–90 working days end-to-end.
Who qualifies
Foreign experts hired by a Thai employer (private, BOI-promoted, government, or university) into a targeted S-curve industry: Biotech, EV, Aerospace, Robotics, Digital, Automation, Medical Hub.
- Monthly salary ≥ THB 100,000 (THB 50,000 for government / university / NIA-endorsed startups).
- Employment contract ≥ 1 year.
- ≥ 2 years relevant experience (waived for Ph.D. researchers).
- Destination entity must sit on the S-curve list and be endorsed by the sector authority (depa, NIA, NSTDA, etc.).
Documents required
- Endorsement letter from the sector authority (depa / NIA / NSTDA / professional council).
- Full employment contract + job description.
- Certified translations of degree + transcript.
- Reference letters covering prior relevant experience.
- Thai employer's company affidavit, VAT (ภพ.20), and audited financials for the last 3 years.
- Passport, photos, medical certificate, police clearance.
Workflow
- Secure the sector Endorsement Letter (14–30 days).
- File the SMART Visa application on BOI's online portal with certified translations.
- BOI adjudication: 30 working days; issues Qualification Endorsement Letter.
- Collect the Endorsement Letter and either apply at a Royal Thai Embassy abroad or convert an existing Non-B at BOI One Stop Service, Chamchuri Square.
- 1-year reporting (instead of 90-day) and 4-year renewal thereafter.
Benefits
- 4-year visa, no separate Work Permit.
- Annual reporting (not 90-day).
- Spouse and children get SMART-O automatically with permission to work.
- Unlimited multiple re-entry built-in.
BOI Announcement 3/2561 (as amended 2023 & 2025) governs SMART Visa across the 13 S-curve target industries.
FAQ
- Do I need a separate Work Permit?
- No — SMART-T covers both the visa and the right to work in the endorsed role.
- Can I switch employer while holding SMART-T?
- You must notify BOI within 15 days and obtain a new endorsement from the sector authority of the new employer.
- What do dependants get?
- Spouse and minor children receive SMART-O for the same term; spouse gets permission to work.
- Fees?
- Document translation THB 1,300–2,500 each (5–7 working days) plus BOI government fees at cost.
Contact: 083-2494999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@nyclegal.co.th
Knowledge bases behind every service
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- Certified translation — every language
Certified translation across civil, academic, corporate, contractual, financial, medical, technical and IP documents — with the Notary → MFA → embassy legalization chain handled end to end.
Thai–English THB 500–1,200/page · other languages THB 800–2,500/page
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Tourist, business, study, work, marriage, family, retirement and transit visas across Schengen, UK, US, Australia, Canada, Asia and the Middle East.
Filing service THB 6,500–35,000 (embassy fees excluded)
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- Police clearance certificate
Royal Thai Police clearance certificates for applicants in Thailand and abroad, with translation, MFA legalization and destination-embassy filing.
Proxy-handling fee quoted per case · free consultation
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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.
- สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง — วีซ่า รายงานตัว 90 วัน TM.30— Immigration Bureau
- Thai e-Visa Official Portal— MFA Thailand
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)— Immigration Bureau
- กรมการจัดหางาน — ใบอนุญาตทำงานคนต่างด้าว— Department of Employment
- สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน (BOI) / LTR Visa— Thailand Board of Investment
- กรมการกงสุล — บริการรับรองเอกสาร (นิติกรณ์)— กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
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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 at least THB 500,000 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.