Answered6 days ago

Will my low income disqualify me for a visa to Thailand?

Visa Requirements Income Requirements Thai Visa Financial Documentation S-Corp Business Expats in Thailand

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

asked Nov 9, 2026

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Will my low income disqualify me?

I run a remote bookkeeping business as an S-Corp and check every box for the Chicago consulate requirements including the seasoned $16,000.

The issue is that my business has been a slow and steady ramp up, and I currently only make about $400/mo. I expect to triple that by the time I apply in March of next year.

Since I otherwise meet the requirements, I was wondering if I can rely on my application getting approved despite the low income.

Thank you!

Answer summary

The individual inquired about the implications of their low monthly income of $400 from a remote bookkeeping business on their visa application to Thailand, despite meeting other requirements. Comments suggested that low income could be a concern for approval, with recommendations to demonstrate additional savings. Various insights were shared regarding the necessity of showing sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses in Thailand.

31 repliesnewest first

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Alastair ********************

If you compare it to other visa such as the Non-O retirement visa the minimum income for that is 65,000 Thai baht, so I'd suggest you may aim to show an income in that region to demonstrate that you can support yourself.

5 days ago

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

@Alastair *******************

Good idea, thanks.

4 days ago

RedDragonf**********

I imagine that the income would have to be 20k baht a month as that is the amount that a visa exempt 30 day entry needs. Waiting to see if anyone can refute that with proof...

5 days ago

Bryan *********************

RedDragonfruitIsBest I don’t really have proof of income as I am a business owner. I have a lot in reserves and I was approved based on that alone.

5 days ago

Luit *****************

@Bryan ********************

I think that is one of the reasons they have no income requirements.

They only want to know if you can fund your stays.

4 days ago

Bryan *********************

@Luit ****************

100% from what I see it’s a lot of soft power and people who struggle with the 500k. Easy is easy! Waiting to change to retirement visa in 3 years.

4 days ago

Luit *****************

@Bryan ********************

When you have enough financial means next to the required 500k, it might be enough for providing for your own livelihood.

But all is just for the embassy to decide.

It would be stupid to deny someone with 10M THB because he has no active income, normally the money would generate passive income or can be used itself.

4 days ago

Bryan *********************

@Luit ****************

right but I see lots of freelancers and soft power requires proof of income.

4 days ago

Luit *****************

RedDragonfruitIsBest there are no fixed income requirements for DTV, so no proof, but 20k for a month is extremely low, so I would not be surprised when embassy sees it as unrealistic.

5 days ago

RedDragonf**********

@Luit ****************

It's probably going to be different for different embassies. I've heard of people being approved with income around that amount, but certainly wouldn't say it's a guarantee for every embassy.

4 days ago

Luit *****************

RedDragonfruitIsBest 20k TB a month is even below the average Thai household income, so without any extra financial means I don't think it is very likely they approve on that.

The fact there are no strict requirements can be an advantage, because you can be approved with a low income, but it also can be a disadvantage because some embassies just want to see more.

4 days ago

GdaTr******

Yeah you can absolutely apply for soft power activities as long as you have 500k in savings or slightly more. Don’t let these losers tell you otherwise because The DTV it’s just a tourist visa after all and it was never designed for people to live off of it for 5 years, it’s purely allows you to stay in the country for extended periods as a TOURIST.

6 days ago

Sasha *********

if you save $20k American Dollars your can qualify. you still have to do something culturally

6 days ago

Andi ***********

It can still get approved despite the low income by showing additional savings to the 500k.

6 days ago

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

@Andi **********

What did you have in mind for that additional savings amount? I can maybe season some more if necessary. Thanks.

5 days ago

Andi ***********

Anonymous participanti I applied with low income but added additional savings to show I can support myself for 5 yrs. You can include investment income in the additional savings. There is no minimum income requirement but it is key to show you can support yourself outside of the required 500k THB. In March you'll be getting 1200 USD a month when you apply which would require less savings than I applied with.

5 days ago

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

@Andi **********

Good thinking

3 days ago

Andi ***********

Anonymous participant Maybe easier if he just 'loan' you a lump sum to deposit.

4 days ago

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

@Andi **********

Interesting, thank you. My father would be willing to help, so I wonder if I could use his retirement savings account as additional savings if he signed off on it or something.

4 days ago

Bryan *********************

Yes that is not enough to cover expenses here in this government eyes. Sure you can say you will eat local and stay at hostels but that won’t work. If you show a lot more in reserves it will compensate your monthly earning.

6 days ago

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

@Bryan ********************

Thanks. How much do you think they'd be happy with, for income or reserves or both? Right now income is $400/mo and I'm expecting $1000-1200/mo by application time.

My budgeting says $1000 is doable if I live in the boonies of Bangkok and live frugally for a bit. Not sure if that's correct.

5 days ago

Bryan *********************

Anonymous participant it really depends on your habits. $1000 you can live comfortably in BKK just not in areas like Asoke. The more you have of one or the other is best. Have your 500k and have $4000-5000 a month is great. Or have a lot in reserves and doesn’t matter what you make monthly.

5 days ago

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

@Bryan ********************

Makes sense, thanks.

4 days ago

Nickel *******

Cheers

6 days ago

เดวิด **********

If you’re intending to live off the money you have to show. I think there’s every chance they’ll reject. But a bigger thing is, how do you expect to live on such a small income? Why not work on growing it, if that’s your entire income i think it’s something you should do in your spare time and grow it whilst you do a day job

6 days ago

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

@เดวิด *********

Fair question. Each client brings in around $200/mo and 1-2 new clients a month is a conservative estimate, so growth can be rapid. I get clients remotely, so I can easily grow it while there.

5 days ago

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

Thanks for the perspective

4 days ago

เดวิด **********

Anonymous participant look it’s your life but if you are here with no support and no money it’s not a good place, I don’t want to discourage you, but get your 1-2 clients a month at home alongside a job if you can until it’s big enough to come here is what id do. But good luck either way.

5 days ago

Luit *****************

Completely agree, I don't understand the hurry of some people.

First build up a business and then relocate is much more logical.

At a new location all kind of new things also need time and attention.

5 days ago