Smart Visa (S-Curve & Startup)
T/I/E are phased out. If you're a founder with NIA/DEPA endorsement or a T/I/E holder whose expiry is coming — the right next move and the right timing determine whether work authorisation ever lapses.
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Smart Visa T, I, and E categories — no new applications accepted
Following Cabinet decisions in 2025, the Talent (T), Investor (I), and Executive (E) categories are no longer open to new applicants. Existing holders retain their visas through the remainder of validity but cannot renew — plan your transition to LTR Visa at least 6 months before expiry. Smart Visa Startup (S) remains active for BOI-endorsed Thai startups in S-Curve sectors.
What You Get
What the Smart Visa Delivers
Automatic Work Authorization
No separate work permit application. Your visa IS your work authorization — and your spouse gets theirs automatically too.
Annual Reporting Only
Report to BOI OSSC once a year. No 90-day Immigration Bureau trips. Dramatically less administrative overhead.
Multiple Re-Entry Included
Depart and return freely throughout your visa validity — no re-entry permit required before each trip.
No 4:1 Workforce Ratio
Hire foreign talent without the standard requirement to employ four Thai nationals for every foreigner.
15+
Years of Experience
1,000+
Visas Processed
98%
Approval Rate
15+
Years of Experience
1,000+
Visas Processed
98%
Approval Rate
How the Process Works
Smart Visa Startup (S) — New Application
- 1
Startup & Sector Assessment
We evaluate company registration, innovation focus, and S-Curve industry alignment to confirm Startup (S) category eligibility before any fees are incurred.
- 2
Agency Endorsement Coordination (NIA / DEPA)
We manage the 4–8-week endorsement stage with the relevant sector agency, compiling business plan, technology documentation, and founder credentials.
- 3
BOI OSSC Application & Visa Issuance
Complete application package submitted to the BOI OSSC after endorsement; visa issued with automatic work authorisation. Total timeline: 8–11 weeks.
- 4
Annual Reporting & Compliance
Smart Visa annual BOI OSSC reporting managed on an ongoing basis; family member visas coordinated in parallel.
T/I/E to LTR — Transition Process
- 1
LTR Category Assessment
We screen against all four LTR categories (Highly-Skilled, Work-from-Thailand, Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner) to identify the strongest match given income, employment, and assets.
- 2
LTR Application Preparation
Document assembly, Thai translation, and BOI portal filing managed while the Smart Visa remains valid.
- 3
Status Continuity Management
We time the Smart Visa maintenance and LTR application so there is no gap in work authorisation during the 3–4-month LTR processing window.
- 4
LTR Issuance & Benefits Activation
Upon LTR approval, we coordinate 17% flat-tax registration, digital work permit setup, and the shift from annual BOI OSSC reporting to annual LTR reporting.
Transparent Pricing
Smart Visa — Pricing & Process Anchors
T/I/E categories are no longer accepting new applications — engagements today are Startup (S) new applications, existing-holder maintenance, or transition to LTR. We quote within 1 business day.
About our pricing:
| Tier / Variant | What's included | Timeline | Govt / 3rd-party fees | Plizz service fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup (S) — new applicationActive category | For registered Thai startups in BOI-target S-Curve industries. NIA / DEPA endorsement coordination, BOI OSSC submission, work-permit-free visa issuance. | Endorsement 30 days + visa issuance 30 days | Visa government fee 10,000 per applicant | Get a quote · 1 business day Reason for quote: Why: startup documentation + endorsement effort depends on industry category and stage |
| T/I/E maintenance for existing holders | Renewal / annual reporting / category-specific compliance for current Talent, Investor, or Executive Smart Visa holders. | Aligned to existing visa expiry | Visa government fee 10,000 per applicant | Get a quote · 1 business day Reason for quote: Why: depends on category, original endorsement ministry, and remaining validity |
| Transition support to LTR | For T/I/E holders whose categories are being phased out — assess LTR eligibility, prepare transition application. See LTR Visa. | 8–12 weeks for LTR processing | LTR govt fee 50,000 (10-year) | Get a quote · 1 business day Reason for quote: Why: transition complexity depends on which LTR category fits and document overlap |
Startup (S) — new application
For registered Thai startups in BOI-target S-Curve industries. NIA / DEPA endorsement coordination, BOI OSSC submission, work-permit-free visa issuance.
- Timeline
- Endorsement 30 days + visa issuance 30 days
- Govt / 3rd-party fees
- Visa government fee 10,000 per applicant
- Plizz service fee
- Get a quote · 1 business day
Reason for quote: Why: startup documentation + endorsement effort depends on industry category and stage
T/I/E maintenance for existing holders
Renewal / annual reporting / category-specific compliance for current Talent, Investor, or Executive Smart Visa holders.
- Timeline
- Aligned to existing visa expiry
- Govt / 3rd-party fees
- Visa government fee 10,000 per applicant
- Plizz service fee
- Get a quote · 1 business day
Reason for quote: Why: depends on category, original endorsement ministry, and remaining validity
Transition support to LTR
For T/I/E holders whose categories are being phased out — assess LTR eligibility, prepare transition application. See LTR Visa.
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks for LTR processing
- Govt / 3rd-party fees
- LTR govt fee 50,000 (10-year)
- Plizz service fee
- Get a quote · 1 business day
Reason for quote: Why: transition complexity depends on which LTR category fits and document overlap
Optional Add-Ons
| Add-on | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family member visas (spouse + up to 4 children) | Get a quote · 1 business day Reason for quote: Why: per-dependent fee; family benefits included in Smart Visa scope | Family benefits are included in Smart Visa scope. |
| Annual reporting | Get a quote · 1 business day Reason for quote: Why: Smart Visa requires annual (not 90-day) reporting | Smart Visa = annual reporting, simpler than standard Non-B. |
Family member visas (spouse + up to 4 children)
Reason for quote: Why: per-dependent fee; family benefits included in Smart Visa scope
Family benefits are included in Smart Visa scope.
Annual reporting
Reason for quote: Why: Smart Visa requires annual (not 90-day) reporting
Smart Visa = annual reporting, simpler than standard Non-B.
Pricing Notes
- All Plizz fees exclude 7% VAT.
- CRITICAL 2025–2026 update: T/I/E categories are no longer accepting new applications. Verify current program status with BOI OSSC before planning.
- Smart Visa includes work-permit-free authorization, annual (not 90-day) reporting, and family benefits.
- Eligibility: 13 S-Curve target industries (next-gen automotive, smart electronics, digital, robotics, biotech, medical hub, aviation/logistics, etc.).
Get a quote — typical response 1 business day
No commitment · Reply within 24 hours · Free initial consultation
Your Smart Visa T/I/E is expiring — don't wait until the last 30 days
When a Smart Visa T/I/E expires, there is no grace period and no renewal option — the category is gone. From that moment: overstay fine (THB 500/day), and if you are working, you are doing so without authorisation under the Working of Aliens Act B.E. 2551 (up to THB 100,000 fine, up to 5 years imprisonment). The LTR application takes 3–4 months. Starting at 6 months before expiry gives a comfortable buffer. Starting at 30 days means you will almost certainly have a status gap.
Plizz vs the Alternatives
Plizz vs the Alternatives for T/I/E Transition
Many Smart Visa brokers are not LTR specialists. The two programmes have different documentation standards and tax-structuring dimensions.
| Dimension | DIY LTR Transition | Previous Smart Visa Agent | Plizz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge strategy between Smart Visa expiry and LTR issuance | Self-managed; gap risk is high | Not always LTR-specialist | Status continuity planned from day one |
| 17% flat PIT activation on LTR issuance | Often missed — not automatic | Tax structuring not included | Revenue Dept registration run in parallel with LTR issuance |
| LTR category assessment (4 tracks) | Self-assessed; wrong category common | May not screen all 4 tracks | All 4 tracks screened; strongest path identified |
| Startup (S) endorsement (NIA / DEPA) | Self-navigated; 4–8 week bottleneck commonly underestimated | Variable familiarity | Managed as primary filing; OSSC follows immediately after endorsement |
Migration Guide
Where Each Former Smart Visa Category Goes Now
T/I/E categories are phased out per Cabinet Resolution (2025). Here is the recommended successor route for each.
| Smart Visa category (phased out) | Typical successor visa | Why |
|---|---|---|
| T — Talent (specialised professionals) | LTR Highly-Skilled Professional | Virtually identical target population; LTR adds 10-year validity and 17% flat PIT (work-experience requirement removed in 2025) |
| I — Investor (investing THB 20M+ in promoted projects) | LTR Wealthy Global Citizen | USD 1M+ asset threshold replaces the investment-amount requirement; income requirement removed under 2025 amendments |
| E — Executive (senior executives at large BOI-promoted firms) | Non-IB Visa or LTR Highly-Skilled | Non-IB if company holds current BOI promotion; LTR if individual income qualifies (USD 80K+ annually) |
| S — Startup (early-stage startups with NIA/DEPA endorsement) | Still active as Smart Visa S | No comparable substitute for the pre-BOI stage; graduates to Non-IB after the startup secures BOI promotion |
Who This Is For
Who Needs Smart Visa Services Today?
Smart Visa now serves two distinct audiences: active Startup (S) applicants, and current T/I/E holders managing their transition to LTR.
- Founders or key executives of Thai-registered startups in one of the 13 S-Curve sectors (next-gen automotive, digital, biotech, robotics, etc.) who hold NIA or DEPA endorsement — Smart Visa Startup (S) is the correct current route for this profile
- Early-stage Thai startup CTOs, lead data scientists, or biotech researchers named in the NIA/DEPA endorsement documentation — the 4:1 Thai-employee ratio does not apply here
- Current Smart Visa T/I/E holders whose categories are phased out — active maintenance through remaining validity, plus LTR transition assessment and filing in parallel (timing matters: start 6 months before expiry)
- Smart Visa I holders with qualifying Thai investments who should assess the LTR Wealthy Global Citizen track (USD 1M+ in assets, income requirement removed under 2025 amendments)
- Smart Visa S holders whose startup has graduated to BOI promotion — the logical upgrade is to the Non-IB track via the BOI OSSC, which processes faster and is backed by the full BOI certificate
- Spouses of Smart Visa Startup (S) holders who receive automatic work authorisation and need coordinated dependent-visa administration
Your Plizz Contact
Ornjira Yodsai
Visa & Work Permit Specialist
Thai immigration and labor relations — Immigration Bureau, BOI, MFA, Department of Employment liaison
Why Plizz
Why Choose Plizz for Smart Visa Services
Smart Visa now means two very different engagements: managing active T/I/E holders through the phase-out, and navigating Startup S endorsement bottlenecks for new applicants. Plizz handles both — with LTR transition planning built into every T/I/E engagement from day one.
Smart Visa to LTR Transition Without Status Gaps
T/I/E expiry does not have to mean disruption. We begin the LTR application 4–6 months before your Smart Visa expiry and manage the overlap so you have continuous work authorisation through the transition.
Startup (S) Endorsement Coordinated with NIA / DEPA
For active Startup (S) applications, the endorsement bottleneck — 4–8 weeks at NIA or DEPA — is where most timelines slip. We manage that stage as the primary filing, so the OSSC submission follows immediately on approval.
Existing Holders' Compliance Maintained
Smart Visa annual reporting, re-entry permits, and extension filings for current T/I/E holders are handled as an ongoing engagement — so compliance stays current while your LTR transition is being prepared in parallel.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions before and during engagement.
Explore More
Related Services
Most Smart Visa T/I/E holders transition to LTR — start the assessment 6 months before expiry to stay continuously authorised.
LTR Visa
Recommended successor for Smart Visa T/I/E holders — 10-year validity, 17% flat PIT, unlimited dependents. Start the transition 6 months before your Smart Visa expires to keep work authorisation continuous.
Non-Immigrant IB Visa
The upgrade path when a Smart Visa S startup secures full BOI promotion — faster via OSSC, 4:1 ratio waived, visa and work permit issued together.
BOI Promotion
When your startup has matured beyond NIA/DEPA stage, BOI promotion is the next milestone — it unlocks the Non-IB track and eliminates the 4:1 ratio requirement.
Non-Immigrant B Visa
Fallback for Smart Visa T/I/E holders who do not meet LTR thresholds — standard annual-renewal work visa, processed outside the BOI OSSC track.
Get Started
Smart Visa T/I/E expiring? LTR is your next move.
The transition takes 3–4 months. Starting 6 months before expiry keeps your work authorisation continuous. Free eligibility assessment against all four LTR categories.
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