Answered4 months ago

Can I apply for the DTV2 Soft Power visa if I am self-employed with no current income?

DTV2 Soft Power Visa Self-Employment Visa Application Process Thai Immigration Proof of Income Financial Requirements for Visa

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

asked Jun 21, 2026

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Question for DTV2 Soft Power applicants regarding finance, if you're not actually working. The requirement is 500k in savings (can do), but I can't show any non-Thai income yet for my startup business and I'm living off savings.

In theory it's fine because unlike DTV1 / retirement / non-immigrant, etc. proof of income is not required, BUT the online application form has a section for declaring employment status and income.

Question is: did anyone complete this form showing 'self-employed, zero income' and get approved? TIA.

Answer summary

The DTV2 Soft Power visa requires proof of a minimum of 500,000 THB in savings, and income proof is generally not mandatory. If you are self-employed but currently have no income, you can declare your status as 'self-employed' with zero income or 'unemployed' on the application form. Many applicants in similar situations have successfully obtained the visa by meeting the financial requirement and providing explanations of their plans or previous income sources. Clear documentation and outlining future activities under the Soft Power category can strengthen your application.

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Fred ******

Yes I did, zero income but I had around 4 times the requirement (well more actually but I don't know if showing too much is a good idea either). I noted that I'd just started a new business and included the website details, don't know if they care, you don't get any feedback but worked out fine

4 months ago

Ivo *****

Did they fix website?

4 months ago

Mario ********

I have the same problem. Sold a house and have a good amount of money in my bank. Before i lived in Argentina and was self employed with a buisness. Now i am back in my homecountry and reorganizing myself, thas why at the moment i dont have income. Should i out the invome from the last year or nothing now? I dont know how to fill this out. Please help someone

4 months ago

Kati ********

@Mario *******

If you have at least 500,000 THB (or equivalent) in your personal bank account, the main financial requirement for the Soft Power category is met.

If the funds came from the sale of your house or previous business activities, you can explain and document that in your application.

A monthly income is not required for the Soft Power category, so selecting "self-employed" with no income or "unemployed" with no income is generally acceptable if it reflects your current situation.

As long as the rest of your documents meet the requirements, your application can still be approved 👍

4 months ago

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

Difficult isn't it, Mario. Assuming they don't ask you for interview or request follow up documents, you COULD list your last year's income, as it's not untrue. But IF they focus on new and future income, and ask you to follow up, you'll have nothing to show.

The main question is: does that specific Employment and salary info have any real bearing on whether they approve a 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗧𝗩𝟮 or not? Some say yes, some say no, and I'm still looking for an answer.

4 months ago

Khun ******

You might still be asked for income on a soft power application. Working remotely is allowed as you can see.

4 months ago

Khun ******

UnforgettableRambutan8343And I suppose the embassies like Taipei which requires remote work for SP applications. Don't know what they're doing either...

4 months ago

Khun ******

Thanks for sharing your opinions but I think the Thai Embassy staff knows better. I have the DTV1 as you can see so I'm covered 👍

4 months ago

Unforgettabl*************

@Khun *****

The embassy staff don’t deal with employment within Thailand so it’s a bad idea to rely on them in that regard. You’re free to keep posting the opinion of one embassy in the world despite others not stating the same.

4 months ago

Unforgettabl*************

@Khun *****

That is only coming out of the London Embassy so I wouldn’t rely on that as gospel. In a strict legal sense all remote work remains illegal and the MFA can’t make concessions like the BOI can.

At least the DTV1 (Workcation) has language surrounding working remotely in the Royal Gazette but it still doesn’t supersede the Working of Alien Act (2008).

4 months ago

John **********

For soft power they can ask you to show how you will support yourself in Thailand. If you will work remotely from Thailand you should apply using the Workation option

4 months ago

Kati ********

For the Soft Power category, the main financial requirement is proof of at least 500,000 THB (or equivalent) in a personal bank account.

Income is not a core requirement, so you can select "self-employed" with no income or "unemployed." The important part is meeting the financial requirement and providing evidence of a qualifying Soft Power activity, which should generally show participation for six months or longer.

4 months ago

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

Kati Kollom that's reassuring about income and employment, Kati, but do you know this for sure? Do you have anything in writing confirming this, or is it an opinion?

My paranoia tells me if I'm an IO looking at a soft power application, but it says self employed, and no income, living off savings, I'll be reaching for my stamps that say 'reject' or 'interview', you know?

4 months ago

Kati ********

Anonymous participant From our experience, we've submitted many Soft Power applications for people who had no active income and did not qualify for the Workcation category. The Soft Power route is often the most suitable option in those situations.

The official requirements state that applicants must show at least 500,000 THB (or equivalent) in a personal bank account. There is no official requirement for a monthly income, nor is there any statement that having no income automatically leads to a refusal.

All of our clients in similar situations have been approved without issues. We do recommend including a clear explanation of your plans and goals under the Soft Power activity, as this helps strengthen the overall application.

4 months ago