After leaving school, borrowers are given a six-month grace period during which repayment is not expected. At the end of this grace period, income is assessed and, if it meets or exceeds the monthly threshold for the borrower's location of employment, payments are scheduled and repayment begins.

The following table lists Zomia's income thresholds for various locations. Thresholds are established and revised periodically using macroeconomic indicators such as those included below. If a graduate chooses to work in a location other than those listed, a new threshold will be established.



CountryCity/AreaMonthly IncomeUSD Equivalent Monthly GNI Monthly GDP GDP (IMF)Last Update
Cambodia Phnom Penh 600,000 KHR 148 USD 95 USD (2017) 115 USD (2017) 116 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
Cambodia Rural Areas & Other 420,000 KHR 104 USD 95 USD (2017) 115 USD (2017) 116 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hong Kong 10,400 HKD 1,328 USD 3,859 USD (2017) 3,849 USD (2017) 3,840 USD (2017) January 21, 2019
Czech Republic All Locations 18,000 CZK 758 USD 1,839 USD (2020) 1,911 USD (2020) 1,912 USD (2020) January 12, 2022
Japan Tokyo 185,743 JPY 1,201 USD 3,167 USD (2017) 3,202 USD (2017) 3,203 USD (2017) September 4, 2018
Japan Okinawa 142,297 JPY 920 USD 3,167 USD (2017) 3,202 USD (2017) 3,203 USD (2017) September 4, 2018
Myanmar Yangon 275,000 MMK 167 USD 99 USD (2017) 108 USD (2017) 105 USD (2017) January 30, 2019
Myanmar Rural Areas & Other 180,000 MMK 109 USD 99 USD (2017) 108 USD (2017) 105 USD (2017) January 30, 2019
Thailand Bangkok 14,000 THB 380 USD 475 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
Thailand Bangkok Suburbs 12,000 THB 326 USD 475 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
Thailand Other Cities w/ 100,000+ People 12,000 THB 326 USD 475 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
Thailand Rural Areas & Other 10,000 THB 272 USD 475 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) 549 USD (2017) June 18, 2017
United States Cities w/ 250,000+ People 2,010 USD 2,010 USD 4,733 USD (2017) 4,961 USD (2017) 4,958 USD (2017) July 15, 2019
United States Rural & Cities w/ <250,000 People 1,445 USD 1,445 USD 4,733 USD (2017) 4,961 USD (2017) 4,958 USD (2017) July 15, 2019