Shilpa Malik 
Sabrina Saada 
Bank verification letters are used for immigration purposes to demonstrate that you have available financial resources to support yourself or your relatives on a visa in the United States. In this post, we will explore what should be included in the bank verification letter to ensure the best chances of having the visa approved for yourself or your relative.
Want to go over your bank verification letter? Speak to one of our attorneys!
How Do I Get A Bank Verification Letter for Immigration Purposes?
The best way to obtain your bank account verification letter is to contact your bank’s customer service department.
- Have your account information readily available so they can confirm your identity over the phone or online.
- Ask the bank representative to mail/fax/email precisely what you need, and be sure they document it on official bank letterhead.
- Depending on the bank, there may be a fee to obtain the bank verification letter.
- Processing times for generating the letter can vary.
If you are having the letter mailed to the consulate, take into account mail delivery times. In the past, Bank of America required the consulate’s name when requesting a bank verification letter.
You should include the following information in the letter:
- Account holder’s full name
- Bank account number
- The date the account was opened
- Type of bank account
- Current balance
- Average balance (can be taken from past 3, 6, 12 months)
If you are using this letter to sponsor a relative for an immigrant visa, you should send it to them, and they will submit it to immigration officials along with the other required visa forms.
Can a Non-Citizen Open a Bank Account in the U.S.?
Sample Bank Verification Letter
To get an idea of what a bank verification letter looks like, here is a sample:
January 24, 2023
Regarding: Jose Gonzalez
2993 South Dixie Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90002
To Whom it May Concern:
This letter serves to verify that Jose Gonzalez has an account with ABC Bank. He opened his savings account, number 33309XXXX, on 2/1/2004 and has a current balance of $50,990. His average balance has stayed consistent over the past 12 months. Should you need additional information regarding Jose Ganzalaz’s account, please get in touch with him directly. The account owner can provide information contained in their monthly statement.
Regards,
Jennifer Jones
[signature]
ABC Bank Officer
Is a Bank verification letter for Immigration Purposes required?
A bank verification letter is not required for immigration purposes, unless there are insufficient funds from the sponsor’s end to support the immigrant’s stay in the U.S. If there is a lack of income and assets, then a bank verification letter can be used as support. To meet the income requirements, sponsors usually need to submit the previous three years of tax returns, W-2s/1090s, pay stubs, and employment verification letters. Assets can also be included if necessary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the bank verification for my visa application?
Immigration officials want to know that you have the financial fortitude to support the immigrant in the United States so that they do not become a public charge and financial burden to the government. That is why they want to see how much money you have in the bank to support yourself and any visa recipients.
What if my bank won’t give me a letter?
If your bank does not have a procedure for this type of letter, you can always send them a sample letter. If they still can’t accommodate your request, you can find out if submitting bank statements will be sufficient for the immigration requirements.
Who composes the bank verification letter?
The bank personnel should write on official bank letterhead and include a signature from a bank officer.
Where do I send the letter?
In most cases, the sponsor sends the letter to the applicant (immigrant beneficiary), who then brings it to the visa interview. Sponsors do not typically mail the documents directly to the embassy.
Still confused on where to send the letter? Contact Us.
What other documents do I need to sponsor a relative’s visa?
In addition to the bank verification letter, typically, when sponsoring a U.S. visa for someone else, you also need to include an invitation letter confirming that you are willing to sponsor them, an affidavit of support, a letter of employment, and sometimes payslips.
Is there a fee for a bank verification letter?
This will depend on your bank. Sometimes there is a fee (typically no more than $20), and sometimes they will issue it as a customer courtesy.
How recent does the letter need to be?
Inquire with the specific embassy or consulate to determine how recent the bank verification letter needs to be. Still, typically if it’s from the past three months, that should suffice.
Are you able to use the same bank verification letter for more than one visa application?
Yes, you can assume you have the amount required to satisfy each visa type.
How do I write a visa invitation letter for my relative?
A visa invitation letter is a personal letter written by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident inviting a foreign national to visit the United States.
How to Write an Invitation Letter for a U.S. Visa