Nowadays, applying for and obtaining a US visa is much easier than it was a hundred years ago. However, the process’s scrutiny has increased, especially regarding meeting the requirements for a specific visa category.
Many visa categories require an employment verification letter as part of the due diligence. In this article, you will find out how to write an employment verification letter for immigration in Florida.
What is an Employment Verification Letter? – Explaining the Term
An employment verification letter (EVL) is a formal acknowledgment by an employer stating that an employee works for a specific company. Usually, people are requested to provide an EVL when they want to take out a loan, or when they want to rent a property.
It is crucial noting that an EVL must not be confused with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a document that provides temporary employment authorization to foreign nationals to work in the United States.
What Are the Types of Visas that Require an Employment Verification Letter? – An Overview
Self-employed Green Card Applications
Foreign nationals applying for a self-employment green card may need to provide an employment verification letter.
In such cases, when someone cannot provide Form W-2 as financial evidence, the US Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS) still require an EVL as part of their paperwork.
Generally, an EVL for individuals applying for a self-employment green card should include the same information that would appear in an EVL written by an employer. Also, if you are applying for a visa as a self-employed person, the ideal approach is to have your EVL notarized.
It is worth noting that self-employed sponsors typically need to submit more supporting evidence than visa applicants sponsored by a traditional employer.
Tourist Visa Applications
In 2019, the state of Florida attracted more than 130 million tourists. Foreign nationals applying for tourist visas must provide evidence of solid ties with their home country and their ability to support themselves during their trip to the United States.
In this sense, an EVL can be a good way for applicants to prove they are employed in their home country, and therefore have a job waiting for them upon their return.
Work Visa Applications
In the United States, there is a wide array of visas that permit foreign nationals to work in the country. A good example is the H-1B visa, one of the most sought-after visas in the USCIS.
Each of these visa categories requires an EVL for different purposes. However, it is important to focus on the applicant’s job experience when drafting an EVL to apply for a work visa.
Employed-based Green Card Applications
The EB visa category encompasses three important subcategories – the EB-1 visa, the EB-2 visa, and the EB-3 visa.
This category focuses on foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors/researchers, people who hold advanced degrees or have exceptional ability, skilled workers, and certain multinational managers and executives.
As eligibility for this type of visa depends a lot on one’s work experience, individuals applying for an employment-based visa need an EVL as part of their application.
How to Write an Employment Verification Letter for Immigration in Florida – Step-by-Step
Even though the USCIS does not require a specific format for an EVL, it is crucial to include the required details. Depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s background, certain cases may require applicants to add more information.
Most importantly, it is fundamental to ensure the accuracy of the letter and all the information stated in the document. Submitting a faulty EVL to USCIS as part of a visa application could end up in delays and denial.
First, the ideal approach is to have the letter written on the employer’s letterhead. If a person is applying as a self-employed, they can write the letter on their own. When drafting the letter, it is crucial to add the date the letter is being written.
Notice that the date of the letter must be within three months before filing for the visa application. Then, it is crucial to add the dates of your employment (start and end dates), the applicant’s job title, employment classification (e.g., full time), and salary/wage.
Next, the applicant must describe his/her responsibilities according to the type of visa application. Lastly, the applicant must sign the letter in the signature line, besides the applicant’s full printed name and official title.
We Can Help You to Write an Employment Verification Letter for Immigration
At Jurado and Associates, P.A. we have a team of expert immigration attorneys to guide you throughout any visa application. Call Attorney Romy B. Jurado at (305) 921-0976 or send an email at [email protected] to schedule a consultation.
