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Unanswered6 months ago

Is it possible to get a long-term visa extension in Thailand if I receive a monthly disability income of $1,300?

GrayFr******
asked Apr 30, 2026
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Hello all, is there a way to get an extended stay in Thailand if I receive $1,300 in disability a month from the USA? I am 26 year old.
Summary so far
The query is about the possibility of obtaining a long-term stay in Thailand for a 26-year-old receiving $1,300 per month in disability income. Comments suggest various visa options such as the DTV Medical Visa, but emphasize challenges due to income requirements and potential living costs. General consensus indicates that while the income could support a frugal lifestyle in Thailand, it likely does not meet the financial criteria necessary for securing a long-term visa, particularly for someone under 50.
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Steve **********
Steve **********
Depending on your disability, Thailand is not friendly. Eg wheelchair accessibility is near zero. No sidewalks, very limited lift 🛗 facilities. NOT GOOD.
Kevin ********
Kevin ********
Yes don't know how maybe if married
Magnus *********************
Magnus *********************
What you facing is that you live with a disability and if you want to stay in Thailand, then you need a medical insurance that will cost you allot. 1300 usd will not be enough. You’re around 40.000 baht only.

If you add up with some online work perhaps and double the income it could work.

You got any connections in Thailand as gf?
Michael *******
Michael *******
I lived on 5000bath in isaan and koh payam a month 🤗
อากิบ *********
อากิบ *********
Non immigrant e d viza 15 months available and suitable your age
Steve ********
Steve ********
You don't qualify for a retirement visa and your income is not high enough...doubt it very much
Julie **********
Julie **********
@Annie ******************
David knows the answer to this
Ling ******
Ling ******
Japan has hotter girls, you can get those girls for cheap
Ling ******
Ling ******
I wouldn't waste my time with TH. Go to Japan.
Timothy ******
Timothy ******
If that’s your total income I would say no way.
Matthew *********
Matthew *********
Look into the phillipines as I don’t believe Thailand is on the approved list for Ssdi transfer. I’m in the same boat want Thailand or VN but can’t. So Philippines it is
Matthew *********
Matthew *********
I’m sorry I’m wrong SSI you can’t but Ssdi you can
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
while you could theoretically survive on a very frugal existence in Thailand on this kind of money, it still doesn't make you elegible for a Longstay visa. For this you would need monetary funds higher than 30,000 USD for a start
Nico ******
Nico ******
Cannot until 50.
Jhon *******
Jhon *******
Not possible
Kyle **********
Kyle **********
Try Phillipines or Vietnam. $1300 is tight if not impossible you want any sense of western comforts... and thats IF you can qualify for along visa.
MNathalie *********
MNathalie *********
DTV visa
Steve *********
Steve *********
Ai says yes!😑🙏
Person ****************
Person ****************
You need to get a job or something to get a work visa. You could potentially teach or tutor English. Doesn't have to be full time. You could also get a student visa if you choose to study. idk what your disability is, but there are definitely option. Though they can be prices. Like, the student visa will be expensive because you will have to pay for the classes. If you are coming to live and you have no ability to become a student, to work, or to volunteer (this one is probably the hardest visa) then you probably will not be able to get a visa to stay, even though 1300 would be enough to live on (if it's all from SSDI).

If you're up for it you could potentially get 3 months in Thailand with extentions, then stay 3 months in Laos (though I personally hated Laos. I don't suggest it), then some time in Vietnam, etc. I think you could stay up to 6 months in Thailand if you stay two months and get an extention, then leave and come back to do the same, but they have been getting more and more strict about that even in the last year. So it would be better to break up the visits.

Otherwise... marriage?
John *********
John *********
Even if you could get a visa you're not going to make it on that little money.
Peter *******
Peter *******
NOPE... Thailand I trying to limit low income people
Vaelorin ********
Vaelorin ********
Not possible. But you can try Iran.
Kob *********
Kob *********
Vaelorin Ashael what kind of response is that?
Martin *******
Martin *******
Vaelorin Ashael Ouch!
Michael ********
Michael ********
Immigration, issue visa extensions of 7 or 30 days.

However, if you want to change your visa Type. (To a long stay visa)

Exit Thailand, apply for DTV Medical Visa, if you already have an existing health issue, you can get a letter from a Doctor in Thailand which supports the DTV.

5 year visa, 10,000 THB visa fee.

You must be physically outside Thailand to apply for DTV.

Apply at the official website:
****************************


Processing can take up to 3 weeks, so plan to stay 4 weeks in a neighboring country.

(Ensure you choose a Thai consulate located in the USA such as Washington, this way your e-visa will say "place of issue" "USA" state, you'll avoid the scrutiny of visas issues in SE-Asia)

If you don't want to leave Thailand,

Business Visas can be arranged through an agent & the visa can be swapped over without needing to exit Thailand. (Far more complex & unnecessarily costly)
QueerEl*******
QueerEl*******
You can live on that, if you don't drink, eat local, and make choices that are frugal, absolutely. I do. And not in Bangkok

Your visa options are education visa, where you pay for a course. You can do up to a year of language courses, two- three times a week. Or apply to university and get a degree and a four year education visa with the opportunity to extend another year for job searching.

If you choose to go through the DTV five year tourist visa, you must prove 500,000 BAHT in savings (use a currency converter in your $$) and enroll in a cooking/or muay thai or a cultural class. Or the DTV workation visa which you must then prove you are working online (so sounds like not a you option).

There are resources for information out there.
Stephen *******
Stephen *******
Go to the migration director and ask for advise, in my experience they are very helpful

All the best …….
Haim *******
Haim *******
No. You must be 50 years old and have monthly income of 2,400 us dollar
Santos ********
Santos ********
@Haim ******
wrong...
*****
thb/ month. (About 1700 $)​
Haim *******
Haim *******
Santos Camara 1,997
Michael *******
Michael *******
Most Thai people live on 300-400 USD a month..
BC ********
BC ********
Michael Alger --->>> Thai <<--- poster is NOT Thai !
ElegantKa**********
ElegantKa**********
Depends on your savings. The Thailand Elite privilege visa would give you 5, 10 or 20 years. $1300 a month is livable, but won't provide you many options to save and you'll be one accident away from financial ruin unless you have savings already. You're only 26 so you should be able to find simple work like teaching online to supplement that $1300 and make it more like $2000+. Once you're here focus on building an emergency fund and you'll be alright.
Jay ****
Jay ****
You can get long term education visa but pick schooling NOT cooking or non degree language. The 2 biggest flagged.
BC ********
BC ********
What do you mean by extended stay ? 6 months ? A year ? Do you have any savings ? Can and are you willing to commute to your home in USA ? ....etc..

You should give more detailed info first.

Your problem is rather the visa than being able to live on 1300 $ usd.

Possible visas are METV, DTV and Elite. Depending on your savings and how long you want to stay.
Jon **********
Jon **********
Start a YouTube channel offering advice on how to life in Thailand with $1300
Werner *************
Werner *************
Jon Campbell we have 5000 of these channels .
Gordon *******
Gordon *******
Cambodia, 1 year visa about $280 ...🤔🤔🤔
Person ****************
Person ****************
Gordon Smith Cambodia on top of them being on the brink of War with Thailand? You have something against OP?
Tim **********
Tim **********
Gordon Smith But Cambodia is a &hithole!
Rud **********
Rud **********
Gordon Smith And you gave totally misunderstood the q
Gordon *******
Gordon *******
@Rud *********
did I ...mmm .seems like people are suggesting that the OP try the Philippines as they seem $1300 a month unliveable as visas etc must be considered...SO I gave the info about Cambodia ...😎, not so sharp there eh 😎
Eileen ***********
Eileen ***********
who does people use or like in phuket. asking for reviews. not offers to help. like “ dm me” please.
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
My question is are u sure this greedy ass govt will continue to pay when ur out of the country
Silva **********
Silva **********
InspiringLion8038 exactly,in Italia we cannot.
Jay ****
Jay ****
InspiringLion8038 with ssi, ssdi yes, they do. If you're an 'alien' getting it, you have to return every 3 or 6 months i believe.
Person ****************
Person ****************
Jay Wb They do not pay SSI
Allan **************
Allan **************
Also depends on your disability and is there any on going costs with it and how mobile you are and can you have health insurance .lots of things come into living here like anywhere .
Daniel *******
Daniel *******
Unfortunately, no.
Galenus ******
Galenus ******
Stay home, please. We've beggars enough here
Santos ********
Santos ********
Galenus Gold he's not a beggar, he's disabled, you moron
Galenus ******
Galenus ******
Santos Camara could be both. You too?
ExcitingO*********
ExcitingO*********
If you are getting SSDI then maybe. If you have a lump sum savings big enough to qualify for a visa. Otherwise, if you are getting SSI then no. You can't receive SSI outside of the US
Gem *********
Gem *********
Teddy *****
Teddy *****
ExcitingOctopus624 Wrong!!!!
Teddy *****
Teddy *****
Ok I stand corrected. Nevermind. Thanks for the correction. With that being said, GrayFrog9258, there is more ways to skin a cat so don't give up!
Person ****************
Person ****************
Teddy Bar No, they're right. I live on SSDI. My SSI discontinued once I left the country. SSI is Supplemental Security Income. It's not the same as getting money from Social Security.
Gem *********
Gem *********
Teddy Bar, wrong!!😑
Terry ******
Terry ******
Nonsense, you can live on that. No alcohol or girly bars.
Froggy *********
Froggy *********
Terry Egan its the long stay visa that's the issue.
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
Come on holiday,

If no 800,000 for bank /visa

Check out agents to see how they can help you

Depending on where , and how ,you wish to live. $1300 is no problem to live on
Haim *******
Haim *******
Joiner Man He is 26 years old. 800k good if you are 50+
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
@Haim ******
yes

Realised after i posted

But other alternatives , depending on money
Yo***
Yo***
Joiner Man he is just 26 years old. regarding age, no agent can help. His only option would be DTV or tourism visa, or Elite visa or LTR. retirement visa only option for over 50 years old. Age matters in this matter.
BC ********
BC ********
Joiner Man wrong answer. 800k is completely irrelevant : there is no 800k in bank visa for 26 y old. And agent will not be able to help.
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
BC Farang ahh, my bad

so no agent can help with any type of visa ?
John **********
John **********
@Joiner ****
Thai Privilege visa if they have the money
Kool *******
Kool *******
Without at least US$16,000 in your bank account to meet the financial requirements for a long term visa extension, no, you can not live long term in Thailand no matter how much you make a month.
Rud **********
Rud **********
Kool Breez Please, what visa is this , when you are 26 years old ?😉
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Rud *********
the dtv visa requires that you have the equivalent of at least bt500,000 in your personal bank account. A five year elite/privilege visa costs bt600,000 to buy. Those are the cheapest long term visas.
Ted *********
Ted *********
You could live in the Philippines on that.  You could live in Thailand on that also.  Just you’re gonna run into problems on visas.  it might not be the most lavish life, but it’s definitely enough to survive on.  Philippines, you won’t have any problems with visas.  But the Philippines is rough…..
Ron ********
Ron ********
Ted Francis he’s not asking if it is enough money to live on, he ask if he gets an extension for his visa. And I think no.
Rachel ********
Rachel ********
Ted Francis

My son lived in Philippines for 2 years.Says Thailand is much cheaper.
Ted *********
Ted *********
Rachel Davies yeah but the problem is, the Visa situation for people. Thailand could be incredibly cheap.  Especially if you live in the province.  
Jon *******
Jon *******
Based solely on the info provided? No
UginTh******
UginTh******
Dude. Get a career. You’re 26.
Person ****************
Person ****************
UginTheGreat Did you hear the part about disability, or is that too big a word for you?
UginTh******
UginTh******
Person Person Person uhhh I’m a disabled Vet. And had a GS14 job making $157k.
Person ****************
Person ****************
UginTheGreat Ohhh right, I forgot. Everyone who is disabled is disabled in exactly the same way as you. My bad.
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
UginTheGreat but still an arsehole ?
Ant *******
Ant *******
UginTheGreat Disability is low IQ and unable to research. Hiding as Trump wants to remove his benefit. 5555
UginTh******
UginTh******
Ant Cliff how much does Trump charge to live in your head.
Stephen ******
Stephen ******
UginTheGreat he's enriched himself a few billion since politics, so divided by 300 million it's going to be at least $5. More if you're a sucker who bought into his or his wife's memecoin
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
UginTheGreat career? Dumbest response ever. How about enjoy freedom & just live life
UginTh******
UginTh******
InspiringLion8038 freedom on $1300/mo?? Get real. I fully retired at 51. $82k/yr pension and $2.6M savings. That’s freedom.
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
UginTheGreat sorry

Mines a new, 3 bed, 2 bath house with nice garden for 7,000 a month

But then I dont live in the shit tourist areas

You ?
UginTh******
UginTh******
InspiringLion8038 enjoy your
****
toasties.
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
UginTheGreat freedom is waking up every day having no responsibilities & every minute to yourself. Money doesn’t change how that feels unless u want to spend those minutes spending it. Meh
UginTh******
UginTh******
Joiner Man sure. Enjoy your 20sqm “luxury condo” and your DTV
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
UginTheGreat yup

All while posing in the bars of pattaya and Bangkok, paying for the ladies ?
Ted *********
Ted *********
UginTheGreat he said he’s on disability…. 
Julia **********
Julia **********
Ted Francis disabled but not for bar girls
Werner *************
Werner *************
Julia Naismith why don’t you zip it !
Frank **********
Frank **********
Ted Francis that does not necessarily mean you cannot work. It all depends on what the disability is
BC ********
BC ********
Joiner Man "just fine" until they don't.... "just fine" is just a snapshot, not the total history over a decade or a lifetime.

I'm not completely against trying it, nor completely in favor... because I still believe that if someone fails, it could be the best 5...10... years of their life.

But all in all it's not a solid financial plan.

Also keep in mind that depending on the disability, there might be extra risks and costs which increase more than average in later life.

1300 $ monthly for a 26 y old... everything has to play out perfectly over 50-60 years in the future.

As somebody else said it in a comment : "he's one accident away from financial disaster".
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
BC Farang maybe

But it seems thousands of expats manage just fine on that amount
Rosie ********
Rosie ********
Joiner Man not everyone has a brain that's gone to mush!
BC ********
BC ********
Joiner Man because 1300 usd is at the poverty line in the US.

Moving to Thailand he'll be able to live cheaper, but will into problems with long stay visa, and no wiggle room if anything happens.
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
UginTheGreat most people away from the tourist shit holes and the fat bar girls ?

Guess your not one of them ?
Ted *********
Ted *********
UginTheGreat most of Thailand….
UginTh******
UginTh******
Joiner Man $1300/mo. Who’s living on that?
Joiner *****
Joiner *****
@Frank *********
why work when you dont have to ?
UginTh******
UginTh******
Ted Francis 90% of all Vets are on disability.
PeacefulTa***********
PeacefulTa***********
UginTheGreat Not remotely close to being true. And he didn't say he was a vet.
Shellee ********
Shellee ********
Not possible
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
@Shellee *******
it’s possible with $650
Tim **********
Tim **********
InspiringLion8038 please do not encourage people to live on less than what Thai law requires

For a valid visa, you need 65k baht a month

A bit over $2k US

‘Inspiring’ people to live on less isn’t being honest
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
Tim Hallmark u can live on less than 2k
John **********
John **********
That's not a lot of money to live on in Thailand. If you don't also have a lump sum for a visa the answer is no, if you do look at the Thai Privilege visa
Person ****************
Person ****************
That is definitely enough. I live comfortably on less. Not in a major city, though, and I don't go out drinking or partying.
Inspirin*********
Inspirin*********
@John *********
1300 is plenty

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