Smart Visas.. Has anyone made any progress ??

[LivinLOS]

Specifically has anyone made any progress who isnt working for a BOI / Thai company ?? 

The various announcements have been way too vague, and I cannot get any answers from embassy's or consuls, who frankly either don't reply at all or seem completely uninformed. So far no one has even known where I can get clarity as far as a visa application (not local extension) for this category. 

 

I do in theory fit the outlined requirements, but as MD of multiple non Thai startups (some tech as seems required), I am not working for a Thai company and while I could start one up, there needs to be a value add for me. I need to know the exact specifics and details, which so far no one is able to answer. 

[lkv]

 http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023097-smart-visa-detailed/

 

I am not surprised the embassies are confused. Typical to Thailand.

 

I would say the best people to answer these questions apart from members that had some sort of experience are:

 

SMART Visa Unit, One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) located at 18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building,  Chamchuri Square Building, Phayathai Road Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 

 

Also attached the steps of how it would work in theory.

 

Following also.

user_manual_Eng_49839.pdf

[LivinLOS]

Thanks.. The issue is due to my tax residency and non Thai company I am looking to approach this from the embassy side rather than the One Stop center incountry. 

 

The problem is the embassy in the UK doesnt even return emails and I spent 2 hours on hold without anyone picking up, I have emailed Irish / Dutch / German Thai embassys where I also have either business operations or residential addresses and while I did get a response the responses were uniformly they had no idea how to even start the application. Its probably easier for me to drop in to either Amsterdam or Brussels than it is London. 

 

I feel like trying to deal with the Thai embassy in London is simply banging my head against a wall, they appear to mask thier cluelessness of any actual data, with a huge layer of poor communication and refusal to answer phone or email.. Smart this visa application is not. 

[lkv]

1 hour ago, LivinLOS said:

Thanks.. The issue is due to my tax residency and non Thai company I am looking to approach this from the embassy side rather than the One Stop center incountry. 

 

It does not matter whether you approach the Embassy or the One Stop center it's the same thing. Well actually, it's not the same thing, since the Embassies have no clue yet.

 

All the overseas Embassy or Consulate will do is forward your application to the One Stop Center in Bangkok (look at the scheme) for approval. It helps people located outside of Thailand that cannot visit the One Stop Center.

 

The decision is made in country, by the One Stop Center, on this type of visa.