Thailand’s “Smart” Move? Expats in target industries may be eligible for long-term stay with the amendments to the Smart Visa Program

The Thai government has recently enacted a new law that updates its Smart Visa program which will highly skilled expats and high net worth investors to reside in Thailand for an extended period of time. The Announcement from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Re: Permission for Certain Foreigners to Reside in the Kingdom under Special Circumstances for Highly Skilled Experts, High Net Worth Investors, Senior Managers, and Startup Entrepreneurs B.E. 3 February 2566, signed into law on January 23, 2023, makes a few modifications to the original Smart Visa program, but many of its benefits and procedures remain unchanged.

The Smart Visa program was first introduced in 2018 to streamline the process for highly skilled experts, high net worth investors, executives, and entrepreneurs involved in Thailand’s targeted industries to live and work in the country. The program aims to…