Thailand Smart Visa & Applying for the Talent Category

[samburger48]

Hello everyone,

 

As a software engineer, I'm interested in applying for the Thailand Smart Visa in the Talent category. I've done some research on the requirements and benefits of this visa, and it seems like a great option for those with specialized skills who want to work in Thailand.

 

I've found some helpful information on govIsafree.com, which outlines the eligibility criteria, required documents, and application process for the Talent category. Here's the link to the govIsafree.com page for reference: https://govisafree.com/thailand-smart-visa/

 

However, I'm curious to hear from anyone who has gone through this process themselves or has more information to share. Is there anything I should know before applying? Are there any common pitfalls or issues that I should be aware of?

 

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!

[Woof999]

My first question would be, why Thailand?

 

I'm a software dev too and the talent visa requirements are quite onerous and restrictive. If I wouldn't qualify for a different type of long term visa and Thailand wasn't specifically my first choice destination, there might (probably would) be other destinations I'd look at too.

 

Are you looking to invest and setup your own software company in Thailand or work for an existing company. If the latter, have you already started on that process?

[problemfarang]

with all respect im not sure being a programmer is a talent... 

 

also im not sure you can find a work in your field in thailand. actually it is impossible.. what you can do is to find a work in an international school as a computer teacher or in an university. for international school you can find a job around 70-80K for university around 40K

 

so i suggest you to think again

[Srikcir]

There is the Long Term Resident 10-year Visa that includes "Professional or experts in targeted industries working for business entities or higher education institutes or research centers or specialized training institutions in Thailand or Thai government agencies."

See https://ltr.boi.go.th/index.html

Some of the targeted industries that might apply to you: next-generation automotive, smart electronics, automation & robotics, digital, defense.

[LivinLOS]

7 hours ago, problemfarang said:

with all respect im not sure being a programmer is a talent... 

 

also im not sure you can find a work in your field in thailand. actually it is impossible.. what you can do is to find a work in an international school as a computer teacher or in an university. for international school you can find a job around 70-80K for university around 40K

 

so i suggest you to think again

What TF are you talking about.. 

Do you have any concept of what a dev does or earns ?? Or the visas they are making available to them under BOI if they meet the criteria ?? 

[kingstonkid]

OP as you probably gathered there is not a lot known about what you are doing.

 

I would strongly suggest that you PM UBONJOE

 

He is the resident expert on immigration and would be able to steer you in the right direction and give you real advice.

[Woof999]

On 3/22/2023 at 6:44 AM, LivinLOS said:

What TF are you talking about.. 

Do you have any concept of what a dev does or earns ??

You read my mind, but said it far more eloquently than I could.

[LivinLOS]

On 3/23/2023 at 3:52 AM, Woof999 said:

You read my mind, but said it far more eloquently than I could.

Just howling morons.. Theres devs with baseline salaries of 500k a month easy.. theres lead devs with multi million in stock options.. Top talent (is it even a talent ????) has a whole industry of head hunters whose sole job it is is to run around the world scouring to find this talent and recruit it.. 

Thailand is making a bunch of luxury visas available to them.. 10 year visas.. No tax and low tax offers.. 

And some old gramps on Thaivisa who likely couldnt tell me what a shell script is tells him its not wanted and to get a 40k a month job teaching english !!! Because thats all his skills are worth.