New ‘smart visa’ launched for specialists in targeted next-generation industries

[webfact]

New ‘smart visa’ launched for specialists in targeted next-generation industries

By THE NATION

 

 

THE CABINET yesterday approved a “smart visa” to lure specialists to work in 10 targeted industries.

 

Applications for the smart visa will begin on February 1.

 

Kobsak Pootrakool, minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said the targeted industries included Thai-based industries known as the First S-Curve and new industries dubbed the New S-Curve. 

 

First S-Curve industries include next-generation automotive, smart electronics, medical and wellness tourism, “food for the future”, and agriculture and biotechnology. The five New S-Curve industries are automation and robotics, aviation and logistics, biochemicals and eco-friendly petrochemicals, digital businesses, and medical hubs. 

 

The smart visa is divided into four groups. The first group is for specialists in scientific fields where there is a shortage. Individuals who qualify must have a salary of at least Bt200,000 a month and an employment contract for at least one year. Their spouses and children can move and work in Thailand, except in prohibited careers. 

 

They will get four-year visas, up from the 90-day visa that is currently available. 

 

The second group involves investors of no less than Bt20 million in targeted industries. The third group involves investors in companies that in turn invest in targeted industries. 

 

The fourth group is for company executives who work in targeted industries with salaries not less than Bt200,000 a month with experience of not less than 10 years. 

 

The government estimated less than 1,000 people would apply for the smart visas so the would not affect the local labour market, Kobsak said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30336429

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-17

[Maejo Man]

Seems like another "Elite card" in the making

[khwaibah]

What nothing for a owning a bar or a massage parlor.

[semtech]

No mention of AI or big data but I assume that they lump those areas together with digital businesses ..

[gunderhill]

 

I'm sure  they'll love  having to report their whereabouts every 90 days...........for 20 million!!

[Mickmouse1]

What a load of Bulls****!!!

If anyone needs a proof of income exceeding 250,000bt plz contact me?

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

...targeted industries included Thai-based industries known as the First S-Curve and new industries dubbed the New S-Curve. 

So basically it's a long term visa for those in the fat control underwear industry. About time too! 

[Maestro]

Does anybody see the need for the re-entry permit being waived?

[wobalt]

I certainly would qualify. However have to check how they would handle Consultancy /project based salaries. What about if married with a Thai?


Gesendet von iPad mit Thaivisa Connect

[yellowboat]

The only obvious up side is that your wife and kids can have jobs.  Other than that it is not much of a lure.  How important is it for you 16 kid to have a job in Thailand ?

[Suttisan]

4 minutes ago, wobalt said:

I certainly would qualify. However have to check how they would handle Consultancy /project based salaries. What about if married with a Thai?


Gesendet von iPad mit Thaivisa Connect

Just apply for a marriage visa

[wobalt]

Just apply for a marriage visa

Already have for 25 years


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Guemlum]

I have a selection of very expensive watches. Do I qualify?

[Morakot]

Quote

“smart visa” to lure specialists to work in 10 targeted industries.

 

[...]

 

less than 1,000 people would apply for the smart visas so the would not affect the local labour market

 

 

Here lies the contradiction.

Edited January 17, 2018 by Morakot

[Teddy3943]

Anybody of the government ever thought of appointing waste recycling industry a S-curve industry?

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

First, you need a foundation of excellence in education and industry across many sectors. Since this is the missing element, look for an announcement in 2-3 years of the cancellation of this visa program. 

[1337markus]

How amazing the whole project is about money they can try and manipulate not the jobs that need to be undertaken.

[wobalt]

How amazing the whole project is about money they can try and manipulate not the jobs that need to be undertaken.

Agree, that seems to be.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NextStationBangkok]

Looks like only Japanese qualify for this kind of visa.

[blackcab]

1 hour ago, Mickmouse1 said:

What a load of Bulls****!!!

If anyone needs a proof of income exceeding 250,000bt plz contact me?

 

They will be required to pay tax on the income. That's well over 400k a year.

[micmichd]

49 minutes ago, wobalt said:

Already have for 25 years


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

You're probably not allowed to work in Thailand with a marriage visa, and you would need a work permit. 

They should make clear whether a work permit would override the prohibition to work as stated in the current visa. 

[wobalt]

You're probably not allowed to work in Thailand with a marriage visa, and you would need a work permit. 
They should make clear whether a work permit would override the prohibition to work as stated in the current visa. 

What prohibition you are referring too?


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[wvavin]

Stop wasting time on Smart this or that whereby your people could not even process a simple car registration within a few days! High technology needs smart and intelligent people to operate and upkeep. Please take note!

[TechnikaIII]

I guess they're hoping that a bit of "smart" might rub off onto some of the locals.

They've got bugger all chance of creating their own with the current education system.

..

You may remember this one I told about the young Thai woman who went to the Nobel Institute to tell them about her father. 

With interest, the panel asked what he had achieved. She said that he was standing out in his field. .. and?

Well, it took a while to explain to her that it was not quite the same as being outstanding in his field.

...

Beyond a joke, I have met several Bachelor Degree graduates, male and female, who thought that Austria and Australia were two different spellings of the same city in Europe.

 

[Pib]

If they would offer a smart-ass visa at least half of the posters on ThaiVisa would qualify...including me.  

 

 

Edited January 17, 2018 by Pib

[LivinLOS]

1 hour ago, blackcab said:

 

They will be required to pay tax on the income. That's well over 400k a year.

 

That will depend on residency and >180 days in Thailand.. Its very conceivable people who fit this class may not be here full time. However to not pay tax on Thai sourced income you will need to demonstrate a larger amount of tax paid in your country of tax residence. 

[LivinLOS]

Funny thing is I was emailing 5 embassy's and all the UK consuls last week about this. 

 

Of the 8 people emailed only the 3 UK consuls (not run by Thais) replied.. All were 100% clueless about the visa class and have received no instructions whatsoever on qualification. 

 

I was hopeful that as the owner of multiple tech related companies with offices, staff, and high turnover I would be eligible and could then run work while I am in Thailand without concern. Seems I need am employment contract 'from a Thai company' which kills it dead. 

[irlguy1]

The only obvious up side is that your wife and kids can have jobs.  Other than that it is not much of a lure.  How important is it for you 16 kid to have a job in Thailand ?

Only if they are Thai, otherwise as the article says they can't work in the fifty million types of employment only allowed for Thai nationals.

It's yet another useless load of crap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Get Real]

2 hours ago, wobalt said:

I certainly would qualify. However have to check how they would handle Consultancy /project based salaries. What about if married with a Thai?


Gesendet von iPad mit Thaivisa Connect

The problem here is that it actually, unfortunately, looks like this only regards employment in a already existing Thai company. As I assume you will fall under working and not investment.

[smccolley]

I wonder if working for Cisco Systems, Thailand would work. It is definitely high tech, but not particularly Thai. I have been with them for years and am sick to death of the annual visa thing.