Hi Group.
Following a visit today at True Digital Park, I visited Startup Thailand Center by NIA which is now open on Fl. 7. They give consultations from smart visas, BOI benefits, to company registration, etc.
I talked to a friendly staff about the 6 months Type S smart visa. According to her and reading the conditions specified in the official brochure (attached), it seems that you don’t need a company, can stay and work 6 months in Thailand without a WP. The visa if your (free) application is approved costs 10,000 THB and this visa would not be renewable (in its 6 months version). Application could be done in Thailand if you have permission to stay for at least a month (count 40 days to play safe) which is the time needed for your application to be processed.
You only need to submit a business plan which needs to be compliant with the conditions listed below. According to the lady (sorry if it looks like hearsay), they are quite easy (don’t translate as “they are stupid and will endorse anything”) to give this visa if you can show your planned activity is related to helping startups.
Has anyone tried (and succeeded) in getting this 6 month type S smart visa online or through the OSS Smart visa Unit to validate my understanding of the requirements?
Thanks 🙏🏻
TLDR : Answer Summary
A visitor shares their experience at the Startup Thailand Center, discussing the 6-month Type S Smart Visa. They highlight that this visa allows staying and working in Thailand without a work permit, costs 10,000 THB, and is non-renewable. The application requires a compliant business plan and can be conducted in Thailand with at least a month of permitted stay. The author seeks validation from others regarding their understanding of the visa's requirements and success in obtaining it.
