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What should I do if the Thai embassy requires Ltd documents and I am a sole trader?

Mar 24, 2025
10 days ago
I recently registered as a sole trader in the UK for my remote startup, which I plan to operate from Thailand if granted a visa.

It seems the embassy is asking for Ltd documents, but I’m not a Ltd and cannot provide what they are asking for.

I've built a website, although, to date, there are no invoices, no business name registered with HMRC (as it’s not possible online), and no way to provide the Thai Embassay with what they are asking for below.

Does anyone know how I can accurately respond to this requests?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is facing challenges in responding to the Thai Embassy's request for business registration documents required for a visa application, as they are a sole trader and do not have the necessary Ltd documents. Multiple comments highlight the need for tangible proof of business operation, such as contracts, payments, and a history of business activities, suggesting they may not qualify for a visa yet due to a lack of established business documentation.
Expat **********
No customers, no financial transactions and not registered in Companies House ? No chance.

Try soft power.
Andi ***********
They require the business registration documents. You are registered via Companies House?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
no, sole trader.
Nick *******
Anonymous participant what’s the business you are going to run?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ******
Digital marketing/consulting.
Nick *******
Anonymous participant ok. I do the same. I applied via UK. I consult and have a couple of non execs. But I also set up a business to invoice them, and have a contract with one of them. I had to provide them as evidence that I was working remotely. I imagine you will need to do the same else anyone could say they are working remotely etc etc. sorry, probably not want you want to here
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant You registered for self assessment? sole traders need to do that. Provide that paperwork. If you have no registration documents then you let them know. You have a tax return? Essentially they want to establish you are operating legit.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
Thank you. They only seem to allow one document to be uploaded in the uploader system. The self-assessment tax return is 19 pages long, how do I upload the tax return and a covering letter + some other documents? Any ideas? Thank you very much btw.
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant Condense all the pages via a PDF converter Into one doc or a couple of docs Maybe essential pages only of the self assessment There are some posts about doing this. IlovePDF an app I find useful for PDF.work
Alicia ********
I had to establish a brand-new LLC in New Mexico (saving $600 compared to my home state), secure a registered business address with a virtual mailbox there, obtain an EIN, set up a business bank account, deposit $20,000 (coulda done w $3k) into it, and begin making biweekly consultant payments to my husband. After four payments, we felt confident and proceeded with the application.

Supporting documents included:

• A letter from me authorizing him to work

• A contract as proof of employment

• Pay stubs

• His bank statements showing a $16,000 balance along with the deposited payments

• Moderate spending to ensure the account appeared active without depleting funds

Now, he is officially a financial consultant—the income just happens to originate from the proceeds of our home and rental property sales.
Calvin ******
Alicia ********
@Calvin *****
It’s about all you can do if you retired before 50. “Tracking our finances is our only job”
Joel *******
I could be wrong, but I think it looks a bit dodgy if you are trying to say that you are a business and you don’t have a lot of proof and the business is new.
Jen ********
Which embassy are you applying with? Some of them are asking, even with a Ltd company, that it’s been incorporated for at least a year before applying. If you’ve only recently registered as a sole trader I’m assuming you don’t have a self employed tax history which is what I’d suggest sending with a covering letter
Calvin ******
You don’t have any of the documents required to prove you’re actually operating as a functioning remote worker or sole trader.

What you need is things like:

Portfolio of work completed

Contracts with clients

Previous payments received for work completed

As it currently stands, you’re better off applying via soft power, as you don’t yet meet the requirements. You’ve applied pre maturely