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Thailand · Business & self-employment

Thailand SMART S — certified startup founder

12 facts quoted from the official source

The applicant must establish a certified startup in Thailand in a targeted industry.

Savings required
THB 600,000
the lowest published threshold
Can bring
spouse, dependants +1
from the official record
Requirements
7
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

7 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Admission or enrolment requirementThe startup and applicant must receive the required SMART Visa qualifications endorsement.
  • Financial resourcesA deposit of at least THB 600,000 held for at least three months is required, plus THB 180,000 per dependent.
  • Purpose or legal basisThe applicant must establish a certified startup in Thailand in a targeted industry.
  • Qualifications or professional authorisationThe applicant must hold at least 25% of the registered capital or be a director of the certified startup.
  • Work authorisation requirementNo separate work permit is required for work in the endorsed startup business.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Health-insurance requirementHealth insurance covering the entire period of stay for the applicant and accompanying family is required.
  • Passport or travel-document requirementA passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months is required.via mfa.go.th
What rules you out

1 exclusion quoted from the official source.

  • Material restrictions or case-specific conditionsThe holder must complete the current annual reporting and maintain the endorsed startup basis.
Also stated by the source
  • Work rightsWork without a separate permit is limited to the certified business; changes require new endorsement.
  • Dependent-family rightsA spouse and children may receive SMART O for the same period, subject to the dependent conditions.
Family

Who you can bring

spousedependantschildren
  • Dependent-family rightsA spouse and children may receive SMART O for the same period, subject to the dependent conditions.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
2 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingSMART S may be granted for up to two years at a time.
  • Renewal or extensionThe visa is renewable while the startup and applicant continue to meet the current criteria.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Thailand route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Thailand?
The official source states: The applicant must establish a certified startup in Thailand in a targeted industry.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: A deposit of at least THB 600,000 held for at least three months is required, plus THB 180,000 per dependent. The lowest published threshold is THB 600,000 (savings).
03Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: spouse, dependants, children.
04Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Health insurance covering the entire period of stay for the applicant and accompanying family is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official smart-visa.boi.go.th page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 12 points against the official source; 12 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source smart-visa.boi.go.thLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this Thailand government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

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1 other business & self-employment route to Thailand.

Non-Immigrant B — business activity
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