What Issa Compass does

Issa Compass is a software-automated visa services platform focused on Thailand, operated by Singapore-registered Issara Platforms Pte. Ltd. with a Bangkok entity (Issa Systems Co., Ltd.). The platform uses a proprietary Visa Intelligence Engine to cross-check applicant profiles and documents against Thai immigration rules and unlisted, embassy-specific requirements, paired with a Live Intelligence Network that tracks wait times, officer preferences, and approval patterns across 87 embassies on an hourly basis. Core products cover the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR), ED Plus student visa, Non-Immigrant O retirement and spouse visas, and Non-B work visas, with add-on modules including DTV Partner Packages (bundled with Muay Thai gym and Thai cooking school memberships), a Document Vault secured with AES-256 encryption on Google Cloud, Embassy Liaison support, and 90-Day Reporting service. Distribution is product-led through a self-serve web app and iOS application, supplemented by a WhatsApp inside-sales channel for advisory support.

The company monetizes via per-transaction platform fees layered on top of government fees (฿5,000 for DTV, ฿25,000 for Non-B, ฿35,000 for LTR), with bundled DTV partner packages ranging from approximately ฿39,140 to ฿70,000. A freemium tier offers free eligibility checks and document review, while paid tiers add expert review, submission support, and a money-back guarantee that refunds both service and government fees on rejection. ED Plus student visas are provided free of charge to capture the student segment and feed a planned free post-graduation visa. GTM relies on SEO content (232+ articles), targeted nationality/profession landing pages, Microsoft Ads, earned media in Bangkok Post, Tech in Asia, and USA Today, and a referral flywheel among expat and digital nomad communities.

Operationally, Issa Compass reported $1 million in annual recurring revenue within five months of launch, 100,000+ cumulative users, 10,000+ expats served monthly, and a 99% approval rate on pre-qualified applications as of April 2026. The company raised undisclosed funding in August 2025 from Iterative Capital, 500 Global, Tekton Ventures, and Sequoia India's Sprout Program, and is building a cross-border mobility ecosystem through partnerships with Genki, Moreta Pay, and Cursor Thailand. Founders Priscilla Yeung (CEO; Princeton, BCG, foodpanda) and Aaron Yip (CTO; YC New Cities, Google) lead a team of designers, engineers, and lawyers drawn from 13+ nationalities.

Name

Issa Compass

Legal name

Issara Platforms Pte. Ltd.

Website

https://issacompass.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Issa Compass is a Singapore-headquartered software platform that automates Thailand visa applications for digital nomads, expats, students, retirees, and skilled professionals using an AI-powered Visa Intelligence Engine and live embassy tracking across 87 embassies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visa Application Software

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigration Case Management Platforms & Document Workflow (THACAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visa & eVisa Processing Platforms (THALAPAA), Business Visa Application & Processing Services (THACAKAA)

Keywords

• Visa application software
• Immigration platform
• Document verification
• Visa processing
• Eligibility checking

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Visa Application Processing Fees: Issa Compass charges a platform/service fee on top of government fees for visa processing. For DTV: ฿5,000 Issa platform fee + ฿13,000 government fee. For Non-B: ฿25,000 Issa platform fee + ฿7,000 government fee. For LTR: ฿35,000 Issa platform fee + ฿50,000 government fee. ED Plus student visa is completely free (no platform fee).
2. DTV Partner Packages (Bundled): Bundled packages combining DTV visa processing with memberships at approved Muay Thai gyms and Thai cooking schools. Packages range from approximately ฿39,140 to ฿70,000, covering membership, documentation, and visa paperwork in one transparent price.
3. ED Plus University Visa — Free Tier: ED Plus visa applications are free for all international students — the 10,000 THB platform fee is waived. Post-graduation Non-ED Plus visa will also be free once launched, covering the full student journey from arrival through one year after graduation. Revenue model aims to remove cost barriers and grow user base in the student segment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Issa Compass is a software-as-a-service platform that automates Thailand visa applications through an AI-powered Visa Intelligence Engine. It provides self-serve eligibility checks, document verification, and submission support for multiple Thai visa categories (DTV, LTR, ED Plus, Non-Immigrant O retirement and spouse), with a money-back guarantee on pre-qualified applications. The platform generates revenue through per-visa platform service fees bundled with government fees, supplemented by partner packages and a free tier for students.

Product overview

Issa Compass is a software-automated visa services platform for Thailand operated by Issara Platforms Pte. Ltd. The platform offers a unified system combining the Visa Intelligence Engine (AI-powered document verification and eligibility checking), iIssa Assistant (conversational eligibility screener), mobile app (iOS), and Document Vault (secure storage). Core visa products include DTV, LTR, ED Plus, Non-Immigrant O (retirement/spouse), with add-on modules including DTV Partner Packages (bundled with Muay Thai gyms and cooking schools), Embassy Liaison Service (appointment booking and embassy-specific guidance), Money-Back Guarantee, and 90-Day Reporting Service. The platform serves over 10,000 expats monthly with a freemium model: free tier includes eligibility check and document review; paid tier adds expert review, submission support, and money-back guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) 5-year multiple-entry visa service for remote workers, digital nomads, and activity-qualified applicants (Muay Thai students, culinary course enrollees, medical visitors). Includes eligibility check, document verification, and submission support with a money-back guarantee for pre-qualified applications.
• Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) 10-year renewable visa service for wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals, and highly skilled professionals. Covers BOI-administered applications with higher financial thresholds.
• ED Plus Education Visa Free visa service for international students enrolled at Thai universities. Covers unlimited entries during program duration with no Issa platform fee.
• Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa Annual renewable retirement visa for applicants aged 50+ meeting financial requirements (800,000 THB savings or 65,000 THB monthly income). Covers in-country conversions and embassy applications.
• Non-Immigrant O Spouse Visa Long-stay visa for foreign spouses of Thai nationals with an annual extension path. Covers financial requirements that vary by gender combination and application path.
• DTV Partner Packages Bundled packages combining a 5-year DTV visa with 9-month memberships at approved Muay Thai gyms and Thai cooking schools. Covers membership, verification, and visa paperwork in one transparent price across Bangkok, Ko Phangan, Pattaya, and Phuket locations.
• 90-Day Reporting Service Bangkok-based service for Thai immigration compliance that handles the required 90-day address reporting for long-stay visa holders in Thailand.
• Embassy Liaison Service Support service for appointment booking and communication protocols specific to individual consulates and embassies, including live embassy intelligence tracking across 87 locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% approval rate for pre-qualified applications
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GenkiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership within Issa Compass's cross-border mobility ecosystem strategy. Genki (likely Genki Health or similar) is referenced as a cross-border mobility partner for expanded ecosystem coverage.
• Moreta PayminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Cross-border mobility ecosystem partner. Moreta Pay is referenced alongside Genki and Cursor Thailand as part of Issa Compass's strategy to build a broader cross-border mobility ecosystem.
• Cursor ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Cross-border mobility ecosystem partner. Cursor Thailand listed alongside Genki and Moreta Pay as part of ecosystem expansion strategy.
• Approved Muay Thai Gyms (DTV Partner Network)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIssa Compass partners with licensed Muay Thai gyms approved for the 5-year DTV visa. Each all-inclusive package covers membership, verification, and visa paperwork. Partners include Battle & Conquer Gym (Pattaya), Tiger Eye (Bangkok), Elite Fight Club (Bangkok), Lions MMA Phuket, Evolve Gym (Ko Phangan), Phuking King (Phuket).
• Approved Thai Cooking Schools (DTV Partner Network)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIssa Compass partners with approved Thai cooking schools for DTV packages. Partners include Phuket Cooking Academy, Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy, Arun Thai Cooking School. Packages bundle course enrollment with DTV visa processing.
• Google Cloud PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationIssa Compass's technology infrastructure is hosted on Google Cloud Platform's Singapore data center. ISO 27001 certified with multi-zone redundancy. AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.3 security implemented through GCP infrastructure.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Atlys: Atlys is an AI-powered visa application platform that automates eligibility checks, document collection, and submission for travelers, with a strong digital-nomad/remote-worker customer base. Directly comparable to Issa Compass in product, target customer, and PLG GTM.
• Sherpa: Sherpa builds a software platform that helps travelers determine visa requirements and apply online. It is the closest direct peer to Issa Compass in terms of a self-serve, AI-assisted visa application product targeting digital nomads and travelers globally.
• VisaHQ: VisaHQ provides online visa and passport processing services across many countries, combining self-serve tools with concierge support. Direct competitor in the visa application services space, with longer operating history and broader country coverage.
• iVisa: iVisa is an online visa services platform offering application and document processing for travelers across many countries. Direct peer in the online visa processing category with a broader country coverage but similar self-serve model.

Emerging players

• Deel: Deel is a global HR and payroll platform with growing immigration and visa services (via LegalPad acquisition). Comparable as a broader cross-border mobility and immigration platform extending beyond pure visa processing.
• Boundless (Mobility): Boundless (now operating under Mobility) provides a software platform for immigration filings (initially U.S. green cards and citizenship). Comparable as an immigration case management and document workflow platform, though primarily focused on the U.S. market.
• LegalPad: LegalPad (now part of Deel) is an immigration tech platform focused on employer-sponsored visas, similar to Issa Compass's B2B segment for HR teams. Comparable in applying software automation to immigration case management, but with a B2B employer focus.
• Teleport (mobility platform): TeleportHQ-style mobility platforms help companies and individuals relocate internationally, including visa sponsorship and immigration support. Comparable as a cross-border mobility ecosystem peer pursuing software-led immigration plus adjacent services.

Broad incumbents

• Fragomen: Fragomen is the largest global immigration law firm, providing visa and immigration services to corporate clients. Comparable as a broad incumbent; competes with Issa Compass especially in the LTR and high-value Non-B sponsorship categories where legal expertise matters.
• CIBT (now CIBTvisas / Newland Chase): CIBTvisas is a large, established global visa and immigration services provider serving both corporate and individual clients. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same visa processing category, with deeper corporate travel management roots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/issa-compass

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Issa Compass