Announced the launch of a Smart Visa for specialists

On January 16, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the launch of a "smart visa" for highly qualified specialists in order to attract valuable personnel to 10 target industries.

According to Mr. Kobsak Pootrakool, the secretary of the Prime Minister's office, applications for this type of visa can be filed on February 1.

Target industries include Thai industries known as First S-Curve (the next-generation automotive, smart electronics, medical and wellness tourism, “food for the future”, and agriculture and biotechnology), as well as five new industries that have received name New S-Curve: automation and robotics, aviation and logistics, biochemicals and eco-friendly petrochemicals, digital businesses, and medical hubs.

There are 4 types of Smart visa:

1) The visa is intended for specialists in scientific fields, where is a significant shortage of personnel. Persons who have the appropriate qualifications must have a salary of at least 200,000 baht / month and an employment contract for a period of at least one year. Members of their family can also move to Thailand for living and working. These candidates will receive 4-year visas.

2) A visa for investors who brought to the country at least 20 million baht in the target industries.

3) Visa for investors in companies, which, in turn, invest in targeted industries.

4) The visa is intended for executives of companies operating in target industries with a salary of at least 200,000 baht / month and an experience of at least 10 years.

According to government estimates, the number of applicants for preferential visas will not exceed 1,000 people.

Source: www.nationmultimedia.com