Seasonal Construction UI + Manila Embassy

[17damfle 0]

Hi,

I’m filing a K-1 for my girlfriend (future fiancée) in the Philippines in March 2026 (meeting in person Dec 29, 2025 for two weeks). We have been dating for 10 months. I’m a U.S. citizen in Kentucky, work construction, 4 years with the same company.

I get laid off every winter (mid-Dec to mid-Mar),normal in construction. I’ll take ~$5,000 in unemployment insurance during that time.

I know Manila is strict on finances. I make ~$50,000/year gross.

Questions:

1.  Will the UI hurt my case? The proof of relationship I’m not worried about so much. I can handle that  

2.  Is my income strong enough that the Ui won’t matter too much to them? 

3.  Will it help if my employer writes a  letter saying “standard seasonal layoff, back full-time  mid March?  

I know it’s early, just planning ahead.

 

 

thank you. 

[SalishSea 18,628]

Are you sure "Manila is strict on income"?  I've always been of the impression that they rarely even look at I-134s.

 

By the time you have to provide any financial documentation it will be long past that period of unemployment anyway.  Current income is king, not past.

[17damfle 0]

13 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

Are you sure "Manila is strict on income"?  I've always been of the impression that they rarely even look at I-134s.

 

By the time you have to provide any financial documentation it will be long past that period of unemployment anyway.  Current income is king, not past.

I have heard they’re strict on income. Maybe I am mistaken. If that’s so, I will be fine as when I file i134 I will be back to work. If that’s the case maybe I’m overthinking all of this. Thank you for the reply. 

[Edward and Jaycel 2,327]

Manila rarely looks at the I-134... They never looked at mine or any of the friends Jaycel made there at the embassy while waiting for her interview. That being said, it is good you are looking ahead to be prepared. Your Gross income is what will matter. For historical trends in income, you will provide Tax Return Transcripts from the IRS that will establish that. For current income (which is King as @SalishSea mentioned), 3 months of your most recent pay stubs will suffice and a letter from your employer stating that you are a regular, full-time employee at (x) Rate (either hourly or yearly, including any regular OT) is fine. If you have $50K gross, and it's just you and your fiancée, it will be fine.