Thailand · Investing
Thailand SMART Visa I · THB 5M
Investment needed: ฿5M+ ≈ $149k
SMART Visa I (Investor): THB 5 million in a startup or accelerator programme
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
SMART Visa I · THB 5M is an investing route for Thailand. Applicants need an investment of ฿5M+ ≈ $149k. You can stay 4 yrs, renewable. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- ฿5M+ ≈ $149k
- Government fees
- ฿10k/yr ≈ $300
- Processing
- 20 working days
- First stay
- 4 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee ฿10k/yr ≈ $300; investment ฿5M+ ≈ $149k; decision: 20 working days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees฿10k/yr ≈ $300
- THB 10,000 a year (≈ $300)Visa processing fee of THB 10,000 (≈ $300) per year, paid in cash to Immigration or the embassy; the BOI qualification endorsement has no fee.
Invested and held฿5M+ ≈ $149k
- THB 5,000,000 (≈ $149,000)Direct investment as an individual in a startup, or an incubator or accelerator programme, endorsed by the relevant agencies; investment may be spread over more than one business and must be maintained throughout the visa validity.
RenewalRenewable
The visa is renewable for up to 4 years at a time.
Processing20 working days
Results come from the Smart Visa unit and agencies within 20 working days; a renewal endorsement takes up to 30 working days, so request it at least 60 days before expiry.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
After endorsement, apply for the visa at the One Stop Service Center in Bangkok or at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Presence rulesStay rule
Holders staying more than one year file a yearly status report with the Smart Visa unit.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- The startup or programme must be certified as technology-based in the targeted industries.
- Certification comes from agencies such as the National Innovation Agency or Digital Economy Promotion Agency.
What you must show3
- The direct investment as an individual is at least THB 5 million (≈ $149,000), in a startup or an endorsed incubator or accelerator programme.
- The investment may be spread over more than one business and must be maintained throughout the visa validity.
- The visa processing fee is THB 10,000 (≈ $300) per year, paid in cash; the BOI qualification endorsement has no fee.
What happens at day 180
How Thailand decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 4 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 180 days in a tax year in which the income is earnedResident for Revenue Code section 41 purposes.
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis (from 2024)
Foreign-source assessable income earned from 1 January 2024 is taxed in Thailand in the year it is brought into the country; income earned before 2024 is not taxed even if brought in later.
All tax rules for Thailand Tax records checked
Full official text
Visa for individual investors who put at least THB 5 million (≈ $149,000) into an endorsed startup, incubator or accelerator programme. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- An investment of at least THB 5,000,000 (≈ $149,000) · Direct investment as an individual in a startup, or an incubator or accelerator programme, endorsed by the relevant agencies; investment may be spread over more than one business and must be maintained throughout the visa validity. 1
- A fee of THB 10,000 a year (≈ $300) · Visa processing fee of THB 10,000 (≈ $300) per year, paid in cash to Immigration or the embassy; the BOI qualification endorsement has no fee. 2
Requirements
- The startup or programme must be certified as technology-based in the targeted industries. 1
- Certification comes from agencies such as the National Innovation Agency or Digital Economy Promotion Agency. 1
- The direct investment as an individual is at least THB 5 million (≈ $149,000), in a startup or an endorsed incubator or accelerator programme. 1
- The investment may be spread over more than one business and must be maintained throughout the visa validity. 1
- The visa processing fee is THB 10,000 (≈ $300) per year, paid in cash; the BOI qualification endorsement has no fee. 2
Stay
- Renewable visa of up to 4 years.
- First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
No nationality list.
Work
No work permit needed to work for an entity or agency covered by the endorsement.
Family
Spouse and children may stay for the same period as the SMART visa holder; the spouse may work without a work permit. Your spouse or partner may work in Thailand without a separate permit.
Official sources
- SMART I (Investor) criteria and privileges · Board of Investment of Thailand · checked 2026-10-10
- SMART Visa frequently asked questions (processing fee, insurance, deposits) · Board of Investment of Thailand · checked 2026-10-10
SMART Visa I · THB 5M and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMART Visa I · THB 5M | Needs an investment of ฿5M+ ≈ $149k | 4 yr, renewable | Limited |
| LTR · Wealthy Global Citizen | Needs an investment of $500k+ | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Investor stay · THB 10M | Needs an investment of ฿10M+ ≈ $297k | 2 yr | – |
| Investor stay · THB 2M | Needs an investment of ฿2M+ ≈ $60k | 1 yr | – |
| SMART Visa I · THB 20M | Needs an investment of ฿20M+ ≈ $595k | 4 yr, renewable | Limited |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the SMART Visa I · THB 5M?
An investment of at least THB 5,000,000 (≈ $149,000). Direct investment as an individual in a startup, or an incubator or accelerator programme, endorsed by the relevant agencies; investment may be spread over more than one business and must be maintained throughout the visa validity. A fee of THB 10,000 a year (≈ $300). Visa processing fee of THB 10,000 (≈ $300) per year, paid in cash to Immigration or the embassy; the BOI qualification endorsement has no fee.
How long can I stay on the SMART Visa I · THB 5M?
Renewable visa of up to 4 years.
How long does the SMART Visa I · THB 5M take to process?
Results come from the Smart Visa unit and agencies within 20 working days; a renewal endorsement takes up to 30 working days, so request it at least 60 days before expiry.
Can I work on the SMART Visa I · THB 5M?
Limited. No work permit needed to work for an entity or agency covered by the endorsement.
Can I bring my family on the SMART Visa I · THB 5M?
Spouse and children may stay for the same period as the SMART visa holder; the spouse may work without a work permit.
How are SMART Visa I · THB 5M holders taxed in Thailand?
No special regime in our records is tied to the SMART Visa I · THB 5 (≈ $0)M. The standard rules apply: A person present in Thailand for 180 days or more in a tax year is a Thai tax resident. Foreign-source assessable income earned from 1 January 2024 is taxed in Thailand in the year it is brought into the country; income earned before 2024 is not taxed even if brought in later.
More in Thailand
Investment visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 2 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- SMART I (Investor) criteria and privileges · Board of Investment of Thailand · checked 2026-10-10
- SMART Visa frequently asked questions (processing fee, insurance, deposits) · Board of Investment of Thailand · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.