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Can I apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand with disability income and without an employment contract?
Digital Nomad VisaDTVVisa RequirementsThailand ImmigrationDisability IncomeExpat LifeSoft Power VisaMuay Thai VisaRental IncomeVisa Agents
Jan 6, 2026
4 months ago
Samuel **************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi friends, nihao from China (though I’ll be in Vietnam shortly). I love Thailand and intend to get a DTV soon. I receive monthly disability pay from the US military along with a bit of US rental real estate income which comes to a few thousand dollars a month. I’m wondering if this can meet the “workation” / digital nomad dtv requirements as I don’t have the employment contract, certificate or portfolio that are mentioned as the required documents.
Do any of y’all have an idea or can you point me in the direction of a solid agent who can answer the question?
Xiexie, khàap khun khráp.
Do any of y’all have an idea or can you point me in the direction of a solid agent who can answer the question?
Xiexie, khàap khun khráp.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat from China is inquiring about the eligibility for Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) based on their US military disability income and rental income, but lacks traditional employment documentation. Community responses suggest alternative options like the soft power route, working in Muay Thai, or establishing an LLC and presenting a business portfolio. Several contributors share their experiences and recommend contacting visa agents for tailored advice.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Cary ********
Have a good time 😄
Alastair ******
Reach out to
@Rita *****
, she will tell you all the options available, and can fix many problems👍🏾Sara *******
Another route is the DTV medical soft power, depending on your circumstances. I saw a doc here and established care for something that needs checkups every 6 months. They wrote a visa support letter for me to submit with my DTV application.
James *********
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Crystalline ***********
I'd also recommend soft power Muay-Thai option as it's the easiest way as I had done for my customer.
Deepak *******
THis is what I did. Set up an LLC for $50. Take out $2,000 from my 401(k) and deposit it in an Ally savings account for three months. My Ally savings account already had $15,000 as emergency funds. I asked ChatGPT to create a portfolio for my newly created company. I Submitted all the documents to the Chicago consular office. It took two weeks, and they asked for my resume. My angle was I would spend time in Thailand developing an imaginary app.
Alan **********
@Deepak ******
whats an ally savings account?Steven *******
If you’re still in Thailand, I can’t believe you posted this on FB.
Deepak *******
@Steven ******
What did I post? Isn't it better than fake muay thai DTV courses?Steven *******
Good luck with that.
Reply to
Steven *******
Reply
Andy **********
Apply as an exotic escort that can twerk properly.
Ameerah **********
Master Toddy’s Muay Thai gym in Bangkok offers this!!
Jack ********
How can someone on disability pay get a visa based on Muay Thai? Something doesn’t seem right
Christopher ************
Could be a disability such as PTSD rather than being crippled or something.
Bill **********
@Christopher ***********
Or . . worked in artillery and ears are shot.Reply to
Bill **********
Reply
Sonny **********
@Jack *******
If the money is flowing, everything is alright.Nickna******
@Jack *******
why?Reply to
Nickna******
Reply
John **********
If you remotely manage your rental properties you can use them for the workation DTV but if an agent manages them for you no
De *****
You'll likely need to go the soft power route and may eventually be required to show proof on ongoing enrollment and attendance in a potentially pricy cooking or Muay Thai program to get the full 5 years out of the visa. As of now, no requirements for duration of program or attendance checks. But longer duration (6 months+) = higher chance of visa approval. Getting approved doesn't mean they won't make the rules trickier down the road for soft power folks.
Samuel **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@De ****
thank you for the reply. I don’t currently have any interest or intention in studying any of these sorts of things so it seems like this would just be another of the "cross your fingers that no one checks" sort of situations such as what people doing years of border crossings are are now feeling the crunch on. Unless it’s really necessary for some reason, I prefer to keep honesty and not carry around a nagging "what if" worry in the back of my mind. But I’ll check into this more. Thank you again.De *****
@Samuel *************
unfortunately the “what if” feeling is going to be with you no matter where you live in SE Asia. Rules can arbitrarily change no matter where you live and no matter what visa you have, unless you can secure permanent residence.Reply to
De *****
Reply
Hans *********
Do the Muay Thai route costs 300,plus whatever country you choose to do dtv, you can do Muay Thai or not
Hans *********
Wildcat Muay Thai Chiang Mai
Samuel **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Hans ********
thank you for the reply. I don’t currently have any interest or intention in studying any of these sorts of things so it seems like this would just be another of the "cross your fingers that no one checks" sort of situations such as what people doing years of border crossings are are now feeling the crunch on. Unless it’s really necessary for some reason, I prefer to keep honesty and not carry around a nagging "what if" worry in the back of my mind. But I’ll check into this more. Thank you again.Hans *********
@Samuel *************
Yeaj, I'll go to cm soon try it out I think it'd be good exercise if nothing else you can drag it out over years if want toHans *********
Yeah
Reply to
Hans *********
Reply
Preston **********
Go for the soft power option rather than the work vacation route
Reply to
Preston **********
Reply
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