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Can a pension and disability income be considered as earned income for a DTV visa in Thailand?

DTV Visa Visa Rules Remote Worker Visa Digital Nomad Pension Income Disability Income Soft Power Visa Retirement Visa Workcation

Mar 25, 2026

a month ago

Cornelius ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was wondering if anyone has any experience specifically in the remote worker/digital nomad category. I am a retired military veteran that has a pension and receive disability. My intention is to relocate to Thailand and apply for the DTV and have my wife and son as dependents. My question is will my pension and disability count as “earned income” outside of Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is inquiring whether their pension and disability income can be classified as 'earned income' for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand, while also intending to relocate with their family. Various commenters clarify that pensions and disability payments are generally considered passive income and don't qualify for the remote worker category of the DTV. Suggestions for alternative visa options include the soft power visa or retirement visa, especially as the user is nearing the age requirement for retirement status in Thailand.

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Cornelius ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thankyou all. I’m 45 so DTV can bridge the gap until I get to 50 for a retirement visa

a month ago

Zoraida ******

Yes.your Disability check and your pension are verifiable source of income. Both verified Via direct deposit. Use verified law firm/immigration agents like Siam Legal group or Baan Thai Immigration. 20 years experience. Call them up for consultation ASAP. You can also receive a Visa for Muay Thai. 12-15 months. Also education Visa to learn Thai Language,or Thai cooking.

a month ago

Amatyakul *********

You should also look into retirement visa and have your family as dependent

a month ago

Jon **********

You need to do soft power. If you require any kind of regular medical treatment you can get a DTV for that. Contact a few hospitals or clinics and get a treatment plan.

a month ago

Wesley ********

No. There is a retirement visa for your category.

Otherwise, find a way to make it look like work

a month ago

Anonymous ******************

If applying workcation. The embassy want to see you active working remotely while in Thailand. Pension is passive income you do not need to do active work while in Thailand to receive so it not qualify for Workcation

a month ago

Cornelius ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah I was originally thinking soft power but then further did some research and thought that maybe it could meet the criteria for “workcation”.

a month ago

Greg ********

Why not just go Soft Power?

a month ago

James ********

For what purpose for the DTV visa are you going to apply for ?

Soft Power Activity?

If so, which one?

Workcation?

Your pension and disability income does not qualify you for the DTV visa.

a month ago

Frank-Steven ***********

Pension (same as purely passive income) won’t qualify for remote worker category. Sure, there might be “creative” ways to construct a remote work scenario. But maybe easier to look into the soft power category of the DTV - or other visa options.

a month ago

James ********

a month ago

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