How to Secure an Employment Verification Letter for Your Visa or Green Card Application

A letter of employment verification: What is it?

To verify your employment status and job data, a variety of businesses, such as banks or landlords, frequently seek an Employment Verification Letter (EVL). This letter is particularly crucial for immigration purposes, assisting applicants in proving job status when applying for visas or green cards.

Also referred to as an "experience letter," "proof of employment letter," or "verification of employment" (VOE), the EVL should not be mistaken for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly known as the "work permit."

When is an Employment Verification Letter Required?

This letter is frequently needed for immigration applications. Typical scenarios include:

Green Card Applications: When you, as a U.S. citizen or green card holder, sponsor a relative through a family or marriage-based green card application, you must submit a financial support document (Form I-864, known as the "Affidavit of Support") to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form is crucial as it verifies that you have adequate financial means to support the green card applicant.

Alongside this form, it is essential to provide associated financial documentation such as your federal income tax return, forms W-2 or 1099, recent pay stubs, and an employment verification letter. If you are pooling your income with your spouse or have lately moved careers, the letter takes on extra importance.

Self-employed Sponsors of Green Cards 

In the evaluation of family-based or marriage-based green card applications, immigration officials predominantly rely on the sponsoring relative's individual federal income-tax return. However, for self-employed individuals, additional documentation is frequently necessary to establish sponsorship eligibility. You will need to provide an employment verification letter if you are self-employed and cannot provide a Form W-2 because you are an independent contractor or business owner. This letter, which you must draft and sign yourself, should mirror the contents typically found in an employer-issued verification letter. Although not mandatory, some applicants opt to notarize the letter to add a layer of authenticity, given that it originates personally from them.

It's important to note that self-employed sponsors often need to provide far more supporting documentation than those employed by others. Such evidence might include documents verifying the existence of your business, like state business registration or business bank account statements, as well as client contracts, payment receipts from clients, and a corporate income-tax return.

How to Apply for a Travel Permit

The B-2 visitor visa permits non-U.S. residents to enter the United States temporarily for tourism purposes. To secure this visa, applicants must demonstrate strong ties to their home country to ensure their return post-visit. They must also prove that they have sufficient financial resources to sustain themselves during their stay. An employment verification letter can be crucial in this regard, as it confirms ongoing employment in the applicant's home country, indicating a job awaits their return. This document also serves as proof of income, supporting the applicant's financial viability while touring the United States.

How to Apply for a Work Visa

The United States offers various work visas, including the H-1B and the L-1A/L-1B intracompany transfer visas. Each category has distinct documentary requirements, particularly concerning proof of job experience. Although prior experience is not always required, it is frequently essential for H-1B visa candidates to exhibit their work history, which is usually done so by way of a CV or resume and an employment verification letter. For the L visa categories, eligibility not only depends on the applicant's job skills and role suitability but also requires at least one year of related experience before the application. This background ensures that the applicant is well-prepared for the responsibilities of the position in the U.S.

How to Apply for a Green Card Based on Employment

Securing an employment-based green card typically necessitates an employment verification letter. Your qualification for this type of green card hinges heavily on your professional experience, particularly if your future employer requires specific past experience for the position.

The employment verification letter needed for an employment-based green card is usually more detailed and technical than those required for B-1 or B-2 visas. It should comprehensively detail your previous job roles, responsibilities, titles, and employment dates. The content of this letter is crucial, as it can be a decisive factor in the approval or rejection of your green card application.

How to Apply for a Short-Term Business Visa

B-1 visas are designated for "Temporary Business Visitors" to the United States who are engaging in business-related activities but not employed work or receiving payment from U.S. sources. Typical activities for business visitors include attending meetings and seminars, negotiating contracts, guest speaking or lecturing, participating in training, or purchasing goods or property.

For a B-1 visa application, an employment verification letter is required to confirm your employment status with your foreign employer and to outline your intended activities in the U.S. This letter must clearly specify that your visit to the United States is brief and strictly for the purposes outlined, without any plans to undertake employment or receive remuneration from a U.S. source.

Contents of the Employment Verification Letter

While there is no standardized format mandated for an employment verification letter, it is crucial to incorporate all necessary details that the government requires. Depending on the specific requirements of the application, the level of detail in the letter might vary. However, most of the content will generally remain consistent across different applications. Precision and accuracy in the letter are paramount to prevent any processing delays or potential denials when it's used as evidence for a green card or visa application.

The following crucial details should be included in the letter, which should be written on your employer's letterhead (or your own if you work for yourself); templates are available upon request.

1. The date the letter was written, which should be within the last three months before the green card application is filed; the closer to the application date, the better.
2. The start and end dates of your employment.
3. Your job title.
4. Your employment status (full-time, part-time, temporary, contract, or other).
5. Your annual earnings, whether salary or wages.
6. A detailed description of your job duties, particularly in cases where this is relevant (refer to "When It’s Needed" for scenarios that typically require this detail).
7. A signature line that includes the signature of the person drafting the letter, their full printed name, and their official title.

Addressing Furlough or Unemployment Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In instances of furlough or unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important for the U.S. government to see official documentation from your employer. This documentation should include the date of the notice, your name, the name of your employer, and the expected date of your return to work, if applicable.

Requesting an Employment Verification Letter

There are several methods to obtain an employment verification letter from your current or former employer:

1. Approach your Supervisor or Manager: Often the most straightforward method, you can request the letter directly from your direct supervisor or manager. Be sure to provide them with all the necessary details and the context of why the letter is needed.
2. Contact the Human Resources Department: Some organizations require requests for such letters to go through their Human Resources (HR) department, especially if there are formal procedures in place.
3. Use a Provided Template: Occasionally, the entity requesting the letter, such as a government agency or another organization, will supply a specific template to ensure the letter includes certain required information. While USCIS does not offer a specific template for immigration applications, other requestors might.
4. Employ an Employment Verification Service: If obtaining the letter through direct contact with your employer is challenging, consider using an employment verification service. These services can facilitate the process by formally requesting the necessary documentation on your behalf. Confirm if your employer is registered with services like InVerify, which offers tailored employment verification letters for immigration purposes, or The Work Number, known for streamlining these requests.

In conclusion, obtaining an employment verification letter can be achieved through various channels depending on the structure and policies of your organization. It is important to choose the method that aligns best with your needs and the requirements of the requesting party, ensuring that the letter accurately reflects your employment status and history.