When Is the Employment Verification Letter Needed for Spouse Green Card Application?

In order to apply for a Spouse Green Card, there are several factors and documents that are taken into account. One of the most important documents involved in the Green Card application process is the sponsors Employment Verification Letter. This letter lays out important information about the Green Card applicants sponsor current work situation. The letter also lays out the potentially most important piece of information that USCIS is interested in and how much they earn. In this article, we will look at the Employment Verification Letter and its importance in the spouse Green Card application process.

When Is The Employment Verification Letter Needed For Spouse Visa?

The Employment Verification Letter is a vital document needed when applying for a marriage-based Green Card. It is one way of proving that a sponsor can financially support their spouse for their stay in the US. The letter is presented alongside form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) as one form of proof of employment in the US. As well as the Employment Verification Letter, you will also need to provide other financial documents that support your claim. These documents may include your federal income tax return, a W-2 form, and any relevant pay stubs. They collate these documents to corroborate the claims made.

It is important that you have all of this information available before making an application as it may save trouble later and speed up the application process. While there is no standard laid out for what a letter should contain, it should include certain details in all circumstances.

These details include:

• Employment history with the firm (including dates)
• Your annual or hourly wage
• Your job title
• A description of your job responsibilities

If the business that you work for has an HR department, it may be worth contacting them to see if they have a template already set up. If they do not have a template, get in touch and we can help to provide a sample.

I Am Self Employed, How Do I Prove My Ability To Provide For My Spouse?

If you are self-employed, the spouse Green Card application process changes slightly for the Employment Verification Letter. It also changes which documents are required to support form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). While you will use your federal income tax return as proof of income, you may also need to draft a more extensive Employment Verification Letter. Even though you are self-employed, you will still need to provide a letter that verifies your business. Rather than just noting the basics (such as start dates and earnings), you may also need to add additional information such as when the business was formed, details of customers/contracts, and business banking documents.

After writing the letter yourself, you should have the letter notarized by a qualified lawyer. This notarization will lend weight to the claims made and should satisfy the requirements of USCIS. As a self-employed person, expect that your business claims may be analyzed, and it is important that all claims made within your application are truthful. As in many legal circumstances, there is a tougher process placed on those who are self-employed because of the self-certifying nature of the application. If you need help, get in touch with our immigration solicitors to help with the process.

How Do I Request An Employment Verification Letter?

There are several ways in which you can request an Employment Verification Letter from your employer. The first step is to ask your direct line manager. Often your line manager will have direct contact with your HR department and will know precisely who to ask. They will also, usually have the information required to fill out the form themselves. If you have no luck with your line manager, then you will need to contact your companys human resources department. If you work within a large organization, the human resources department may already have a template letter that they use.

In a situation where nobody within your business has a template, you may opt to download one from the internet for them to fill in. While this may be sufficient, it is important that your company changes all the details on the form to match the business. They should also ensure that they print the letter on company stationery and that it is signed for by a relevant staff member. If they are not prepared to do this, the last option is to use an employment verification service. There are several companies that offer this service, and they will contact your employer to get the information that is required. Once received, they will present this back to you to add to your application.

Can I Just Use A Template Employment Verification Letter?

While there are numerous templates available on the internet for Employment Verification Letters, you should be careful about using them. Many of these cannot be easily adapted for your business type and may not be suitable at all in your particular industry. As stated above, you are always best off talking to either your line manager or the human resources department of your organization before taking another route. While they may not have a template, they may have an alternative solution. If you have no luck, it is then worth asking if they are willing for you to download a template that they can use to add the information required.

If your employer is reluctant to use a template from the internet, we would suggest using an employment verification service. The company will contact your organization to find out the details required. They will then create their own letter that has been personalized to suit your specific requirements. Often an Employment Verification Letter that is required for USCIS is better coming from one of these services as they are well versed in the requirements for such letters. If you need any more advice, please get in touch.

Related Article: Read How to get an Employment Verification Document in the US (EAD) here