Free Template
Employment Verification Letter for a Green Card
An employment verification letter for a green card is a short letter from an employer confirming a sponsor's or household member's job title, start date, salary, and that the job is ongoing. It backs up the income shown on Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support, alongside your tax return transcript and recent pay stubs. The employer signs it, on company letterhead.
Free to copy and download · Last updated July 2026
At a glance
- What it is
- An employer's letter confirming a sponsor's job, income, and employment status
- Who signs it
- The employer, HR, or a supervisor, on company letterhead, not the applicant or sponsor
- When to use it
- As I-864 Affidavit of Support income evidence, with your tax return transcript and recent pay stubs
- Cost
- Free
- Required?
- Not strictly. USCIS requires your most recent tax return; the letter and pay stubs strengthen proof of current income
Employment verification letter for the I-864
Highlighted [fields] are placeholders to replace with your own details. Switch to the filled example to see how it reads when complete.
[Company Letterhead]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Company Phone Number]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter confirms the employment of [Employee Full Name] with [Company Name].
Position / Job Title: [Job Title]
Employment status: [Full-time / Part-time]
Employment type: [Permanent / Contract / Temporary]
Start date: [Start Date]
Current annual salary: [$Amount] per year (or [$Amount] per hour at [hours] hours per week)
[Employee First Name] is currently employed with us in good standing, and to the best of our knowledge this employment is expected to continue.
If you require any further verification, please contact me directly at [Phone Number] or [Email Address].
Sincerely,
_______________________________
[Signer Full Name]
[Signer Job Title, e.g. HR Manager / Supervisor]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address]How to use it
- 1Ask your employer, HR, or a direct supervisor to put it on company letterhead, that is what makes it credible to USCIS.
- 2Confirm four things clearly: job title, start date, current salary or wage, and that the job is ongoing.
- 3Match the salary figure to your pay stubs and tax documents. Numbers that disagree invite a Request for Evidence.
- 4Include a name, title, and direct contact for the signer so USCIS can verify it if needed.
- 5Keep it recent. A letter dated within a few months of filing is best.
What to put in each field
- [Company Letterhead]
- Use the employer's official letterhead. A letter on plain paper is far weaker.
- current annual salary
- State the current gross figure. If pay is hourly, give the rate and typical weekly hours so annual income is clear.
- expected to continue
- This line matters for the I-864, which is about your ability to support the immigrant going forward, not just past earnings.
- signer contact
- USCIS may call to verify. A direct phone and email for the signer make the letter more credible.
- start date
- Shows how long the income has been stable. Longer tenure is more reassuring.
Common mistakes
Skipping company letterhead
A verification letter on plain paper reads as something the applicant could have typed. Official letterhead and a named signer are what give it weight.
Salary that does not match the pay stubs
If the letter says one number and your pay stubs or tax return say another, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence. Reconcile the figures before you file.
Treating the letter as proof of past income
Your tax return transcript is the required proof of prior-year income. The employment letter's job is to show your current, ongoing income, so make sure it says the job is continuing.
No way to verify it
Leaving off the signer's name, title, and direct contact makes the letter easy to discount. Include them.
Using it instead of tax documents
The letter supplements, it does not replace, your most recent federal tax return or transcript, which the I-864 requires.
How an employment letter fits among I-864 income documents
| Document | What it proves | Role in the I-864 |
|---|---|---|
| Most recent tax return or IRS transcript | Prior-year total income | Required, the baseline USCIS reads first |
| Recent pay stubs (last 6 months) | Your current pay rate | Strong support for current income |
| Employment verification letter | Current job, salary, and that it is ongoing | Confirms income will continue |
| W-2 or 1099 forms | Prior-year wages by source | Supporting backup to the tax return |
Frequently asked questions
What should an employment verification letter for immigration include?
It should state the employee's job title, start date, current salary or hourly wage, employment status (full-time or part-time), and that the job is ongoing. It should be on company letterhead and signed by an employer, HR representative, or supervisor with a direct contact for verification.
Is an employment letter required for the I-864?
No. The I-864 requires your most recent federal tax return or IRS transcript. An employment verification letter is optional supporting evidence. It is especially useful when your current income is higher than your last tax return shows, or when you started a new job recently.
Who writes the employment verification letter?
The employer writes it, typically a human resources representative, manager, or supervisor. The sponsor or applicant should not write it themselves. If you are self-employed, you provide business tax records and an IRS transcript instead of an employer letter.
Does the employment letter need to be on company letterhead?
It should be. Official letterhead, a signer's name and title, and a direct contact are what make the letter credible to USCIS. A letter on plain paper with no way to verify it carries much less weight.
What if I am self-employed?
Self-employed sponsors cannot provide an employer letter. Instead, use your most recent federal tax return or IRS transcript, your Schedule C or business returns, and, if helpful, a profit-and-loss statement. The tax transcript is the key document USCIS relies on.
How recent does the employment verification letter need to be?
There is no fixed rule, but a letter dated within a few months of filing is best, because the I-864 is about your current ability to support the immigrant. An older letter may prompt USCIS to ask for updated proof of income.
Key takeaways
- An employment verification letter confirms a sponsor's current job, salary, and that the income is ongoing.
- The employer writes and signs it, on company letterhead, not the applicant.
- It supports, but does not replace, the tax return or transcript the I-864 requires.
- Make the salary match your pay stubs and tax documents to avoid a Request for Evidence.
- Self-employed sponsors use business tax records instead of an employer letter.
This is a general educational example, not legal advice. Green Card Genius is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Adapt it to your own facts, and consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice on your specific case. Green Card Genius guides you to complete and file your own forms; see our Terms.
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Continue reading
- 01Form I-864 Affidavit of Support: Complete 2026 Guide
- 02I-864 Income Calculator: Green Card Affidavit of Support (2026)
- 03Joint Sponsor for a Marriage Green Card: Requirements & How It Works (2026)
- 04What If the Petitioner's Income Is Too Low? Joint Sponsor Options
- 05How to Assemble Your Adjustment of Status Packet (2026)
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