Hello all,

 

I have been living here in Eastern Thailand for a little over 2 years with my recently marriage registered Thai wife. My Non-imm O retirement extension expires on June 8th.

I obtained a U.S. Embassy letter on December 21st 2018, so I'm hoping it will be honored at my local immigration office in Chanthaburi, and that I will be able to use my U.S bank and pension statements to get my annual extension renewed, like last year. I do not have a Thai bank account at this time.

 

My main question is about how early I can apply for this extension? I was planning on going to the IO next Thursday, the 9th, but my wife just told me that it is a government holiday...National Ploughing Day.  The 9th would have been exactly 30 days before the expiration of my current extension, which is the currently (for most IO's) accepted time period to apply early.

 

If I go on the 8th, the day before, I will be applying 31 days early. I'm afraid to go on Friday the 10th, because many Thai's, especially the big bosses, like to link these days with a weekend for a longer holiday. The big boss in my local office is the only person who speaks or understands any English, so I would be nervous about applying with him, possibly not there.

 

I would prefer to not wait until the following week, as that would leave me less time to come up with another plan for staying here, if my annual retirement extension is denied. I need to stay here another 4 to 6 months until the completion of my wife's CR-1 spousal visa to the U.S.  We just filed the I-130 last Friday.

 

Any  advice regarding the 30 vs. 31 day question, would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

DH

 

 

 

 

Many offices allow you to apply 45 days early.

It is 30 days at some office and 45 days at others.

I don't think you will have a problem doing it on the 8th since the 9th is a holiday if your office only allows 30 days.

If its not a big hassle you can go to the office and find out if you can apply on the 8th. GL.