I'm sure we're not the only ones in this situation but I couldn't get an answer from USCIS so I figured I would start here
Situation: Girlfriend just finished her sponsored internship (Here on a J1 as a farm trainee) and her Visa is close to expiring. We just found out that they cancelled her return flight to Brazil (Second time) and the refund is only in the form of a non-transferrable voucher that is only valid if she uses the same airlines. Spent all morning really frustrated trying to get her actual money back and no luck.
The next available flight with that airline isn't until May or even June apparently and she broke down in tears because the flights have double or tripled in price and she's looking at buying a completely new ticket for a ridiculous price and most likely losing the value of the original tickets. She can't afford this crazy gouging and double-paying for a flight.
Questions: Is this enough of a reason to file the I-539 (Application to extend) We have the forms filled but they're 370$ just to file and essentially claim "Coronavirus hardship" . Really don't wanna drop that money and then get denied anyways. Is there any precedent from other people in the same situation ? She fully complied and was ready to leave but the madness happening with the travel industry stranded her left her unable to afford a new ticket until things get a little less nutty.
If we have zero chance of getting an extension we'll avoid throwing that money down the drain on an extension application.
[link] [comments]
source https://www.reddit.com/r/immigration/comments/g3yecg/filing_a_j1_visa_extension_because_of/