Thailand Opens 18 Sectors to Foreign Workers Under Smart Visa Program
Thailand expands its Smart Visa program, allowing foreign professionals to work in 18 key industries including tech, healthcare, and renewable energy, with streamlined immigration and extended 4-year stays.
The Thai government has unveiled new regulations to encourage foreign investment and employment in 18 targeted sectors, aiming to boost the national economy.
The notice, published in the Royal Gazette, was signed on February 3 by Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda. Foreign workers must obtain a SMART Visa to qualify.
The SMART Visa is a special program designed to attract highly skilled foreign professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to Thailand’s key industries.
SMART stands for "S = science and technology, M = medical and wellness, A = academic, R = research and development, and T = technology".
Targeted at high-potential fields—such as science, technology, R&D, education, engineering, and renewable energy—the visa caters to professionals with exceptional qualifications, experience, and either a job offer or plans to establish a business in Thailand.
SMART Visa holders receive a four-year stay—longer than standard visas—along with fast-track immigration and the right to work in approved sectors without needing an additional work permit. The Thai government supports the program with a dedicated portal at https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/smart/.
Eighteen newly eligible sectors include:
Automotive industry
Electronics industry
High-value travel and tourism
Agriculture, food, and biotechnology
Automation and robotics
Transportation and logistics
Petrochemical and chemical industries
Digital industry
Medical industry
Defense industry
Circular economy (e.g., waste-to-fuel and water management)
Aviation, aircraft, and aerospace
Human resource development in science and technology
Environmental management and renewable energy
Technology, innovation, and start-up ecosystems
Targeted technology development
International business centers
Alternative dispute resolution services
