COVID-19 and the impact of layoffs and furloughs to the Visa process

[W & H 1]

Hey everyone! I have a question regarding our K1 Visa process that's been halted due to COVID-19. Our interview in Casablanca was actually scheduled for yesterday, March 25th. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are one of the many couples that had their interviews cancelled. We completely understand the need to wait patiently for the interview. The problem that has now come up is that COVID-19 has caused impacts across the board on the economy and I'm one of the millions that have just been furloughed starting tomorrow. I will still receive medical benefits but no pay. Because of this, I can't seek other employment; however, I can file for unemployment. Obviously, this is a huge concern because now this changes our I-134 Affidavit of Support and our supporting paperwork that I will provide to my fiance when the interview finally gets rescheduled. If I file for unemployment, how will this affect the visa process? Should I avoid applying for unemployment or does both situations look bad regardless? I'm thinking that applying for unemployment looks as though I'm surviving off of a government handout and he will immediately be given a denial. I know these are highly unusual circumstances and not really sure how all this is going to be viewed by the Embassies and Consulates. Does anyone have any knowledge on this topic? I appreciate everyone's help in advance! 

[payxibka 10,045]

Just now, W & H said:

Hey everyone! I have a question regarding our K1 Visa process that's been halted due to COVID-19. Our interview in Casablanca was actually scheduled for yesterday, March 25th. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are one of the many couples that had their interviews cancelled. We completely understand the need to wait patiently for the interview. The problem that has now come up is that COVID-19 has caused impacts across the board on the economy and I'm one of the millions that have just been furloughed starting tomorrow. I will still receive medical benefits but no pay. Because of this, I can't seek other employment; however, I can file for unemployment. Obviously, this is a huge concern because now this changes our I-134 Affidavit of Support and our supporting paperwork that I will provide to my fiance when the interview finally gets rescheduled. If I file for unemployment, how will this affect the visa process? Should I avoid applying for unemployment or does both situations look bad regardless? I'm thinking that applying for unemployment looks as though I'm surviving off of a government handout and he will immediately be given a denial. I know these are highly unusual circumstances and not really sure how all this is going to be viewed by the Embassies and Consulates. Does anyone have any knowledge on this topic? I appreciate everyone's help in advance! 

UI is not a government handout but an "insurance " fund that is funded primarily by the private sector employers.

 

You will not be immediately denied because you filed for unemployment.   The real issue is the reason for filing and is it still continuing at the time of the interview 

[W & H 1]

Thank you! I work for a vacation rental management company that has been hit hard by this situation. Due to a mass influx of cancellations, the company is obviously in the negative. We are having to shut down for at least a month to get through this time period. Hopefully, it's no longer than 90 days, but we are all at the mercy of this virus and it's own timeline. I'm worried that the time we start to bounce back is the same time frame everyone else does as well including the Embassies and Consulates which means any proof of financial support is from unemployment. Yikes! If I opt not to take unemployment and live off of savings, will it really make any difference to them at the interview?

[payxibka 10,045]

24 minutes ago, W & H said:

Thank you! I work for a vacation rental management company that has been hit hard by this situation. Due to a mass influx of cancellations, the company is obviously in the negative. We are having to shut down for at least a month to get through this time period. Hopefully, it's no longer than 90 days, but we are all at the mercy of this virus and it's own timeline. I'm worried that the time we start to bounce back is the same time frame everyone else does as well including the Embassies and Consulates which means any proof of financial support is from unemployment. Yikes! If I opt not to take unemployment and live off of savings, will it really make any difference to them at the interview?

Proof of financial support is current earnings.   If you are back at work, that is your current earnings not UI 

[W & H 1]

39 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Proof of financial support is current earnings.   If you are back at work, that is your current earnings not UI 

 

Logistically speaking, it will take 3 weeks to generate a paycheck once I'm back. If the interview gets rescheduled before I've had time to accumulate 3 to 6 worth of pay stubs which are given every two weeks (so we're talking about 2 months back at work before I can generate the min docs needed) then I'm sure this won't look good. Just thinking out loud and trying to work through this. I appreciate your help!

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

they will be looking at the IRS tax returns for the required year which in 2018 at this point for the income needed

a k1 in Morocco can and often is denied but this virus interference will not be the cause

I would do the 2019 tax returns ASAP in case you need them for the interview/  i know the date for filing is extended but get it ready 

[W & H 1]

6 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

they will be looking at the IRS tax returns for the required year which in 2018 at this point for the income needed

a k1 in Morocco can and often is denied but this virus interference will not be the cause

I would do the 2019 tax returns ASAP in case you need them for the interview/  i know the date for filing is extended but get it ready 

Thank you! With our late March interview date, I wasn't sure if 2019 tax returns would be needed, so I completed them early just in case they asked for it. Whew! I've got my 2019 W-2 and 2019 1040 and tax transcript ready to go. Even have an employment letter dated prior to all this happening. Depending on how this situation plays out, though, I might not be able to provide the pay stubs if they want them. Not sure if I need to change anything on my I-134 either. I just know Casablanca is already tough, so definitely didn't want anything like this to make it even harder for us!

[arken 4,197]

If you remain unemployed at the time of visa interview once rescheduled, they will likely deny the visa nit because you used unemployment benefits but because you are unemployed at the time.

 

If you get your employment back by that time, may be even a single paychek and employer may suffice. Showing your paychecks from before and after the virus pandemic may prove your unemployment was just during the pandemic and that your employment had resumed. 
 

It will definitely create confusion for COs for sure in how they need to handle this.

 

[Prizm123 1,086]

personally i think you will be back to work before interviews resume, not to mention any potential future travel restrictions. i anticipate that we will close the borders to any international flights before this is all over.

[W & H 1]

2 hours ago, arken said:

If you remain unemployed at the time of visa interview once rescheduled, they will likely deny the visa nit because you used unemployment benefits but because you are unemployed at the time.

 

If you get your employment back by that time, may be even a single paychek and employer may suffice. Showing your paychecks from before and after the virus pandemic may prove your unemployment was just during the pandemic and that your employment had resumed. 
 

It will definitely create confusion for COs for sure in how they need to handle this.

 

We're definitely hoping the furlough will end before then. And I'm sure there will be lots of confusion on how to handle these situations. Just hoping they are willing to consider it rather than just follow typical protocols. 

1 hour ago, Prizm123 said:

personally i think you will be back to work before interviews resume, not to mention any potential future travel restrictions. i anticipate that we will close the borders to any international flights before this is all over.

I really hope so! They are being hopeful it's only 90 days, but could be as long as 6 months. I know that no one knows how long this will effect the nation or when people will feel comfortable enough to vacation again, but 6 months is just crazy! And I agree about the flights. I know Morocco stopped flights already, so going or coming would be impossible at the moment and probably for a while.

[SalishSea 17,839]

3 hours ago, W & H said:

We're definitely hoping the furlough will end before then. And I'm sure there will be lots of confusion on how to handle these situations. Just hoping they are willing to consider it rather than just follow typical protocols. 

The financial requirements will not be changed due to being unemployed.  You can also look to have a joint sponsor if needed.

[WaterLeaf 200]

oop wrong post.

Edited March 27, 2020 by WaterLeaf

[W & H 1]

20 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

The financial requirements will not be changed due to being unemployed.  You can also look to have a joint sponsor if needed.

Good point! Pending the furlough is only 90 days as they say, I will still more than meet the 125% requirement. I just won't have pay stubs to show current work if his interview gets rescheduled by the time I return to work. I'm going to remain optimistic and hope for the best that the dust settles and life as we know it comes back quickly.