Preparing Financial Documents: Salary, Funding, Commercial Success (EB-1)

Published on: Fri May 02 2025

Official Employment Offer Letters

An official employment offer letter is a key document for your EB-1 application. It shows that you are working, or will work, in your special field. This helps prove to immigration officers that your skills are in demand.

Make sure your offer letter clearly lists your job title, salary, and main duties. These details show that your work is important and that you are being paid fairly for your talents.

Always get the letter from a real, well-known company or organization. It should be on official company letterhead and include contact information. This helps prove that your employer is trusted and respected in your field.

Detailed Pay Stubs and Salary Records

Pay stubs and salary records help show that you earn steady, reliable income in your field. Collect records from several months or years to prove your income is not just a one-time event.

You can also show that you earn more than most people in your field. Include salary surveys or industry reports to compare your income to others. This highlights your strong financial position and success.

Gather recent and past pay stubs, annual salary statements, and any bonus or commission reports. The more details you share, the clearer your financial story will be to EB-1 reviewers.

Tax Returns and W-2 Forms

Tax returns and W-2 forms are official proof of your yearly earnings. Including these forms in your application helps show that you have a strong and steady income over time.

Sharing tax documents from several years shows that your financial success has lasted and is not just temporary. This helps officers see you have long-term stability.

Collect your federal tax returns (like IRS Form 1040) and W-2 forms for the past 3–5 years. If you have other tax documents, such as 1099 forms for freelance work, include those too. The more years you can provide, the stronger your case will be.

Evidence of Grants, Funding, or Sponsorships

If you have received research grants, scholarships, or sponsorships, include those documents in your EB-1 application. They prove that others believe in your work and are willing to support it financially.

If your funding comes from a well-known organization—like a major university or the National Science Foundation—make sure to mention it. This shows you are recognized as a leader in your field.

Add copies of award letters, contracts, or official notifications. These should show your name, the award amount, and the purpose of the funding. Make sure they are on official letterhead or have proper signatures to show they are real.

Contracts for Commercial Success

Contracts, licensing agreements, or business deals show that others value your work and are willing to pay for your skills, products, or creations.

These documents prove that your work is in demand. Companies, publishers, or clients are investing in your talent and expertise.

If you have deals with big-name clients, well-known companies, or respected organizations, highlight those. For example, a licensing deal with a major brand shows your work is trusted and valuable in your field.

Royalty Statements and Profit Reports

If you earn ongoing income from your work—like royalties from books, music, or patents—gather documents that show these payments. Royalty statements and profit reports prove your creations keep generating money over time.

These records help show how valuable and popular your work is. High royalty payments or steady profits mean your work is widely used and respected.

Include official reports from publishers, royalty statements, or accounting records. These should show who paid you, how much you received, and for which work. This information supports your EB-1 application by proving your commercial success.

Media Coverage and Sales Reports

Media coverage and sales reports are great ways to show your commercial success. Use sales numbers, bestseller lists, or industry rankings to highlight your achievements. For example, if your product sold thousands of units or made it onto a national bestseller list, include those details.

Add news articles, press releases, or stories that talk about your financial success. Awards or recognitions that mention your sales or impact also help prove your accomplishments.

Focus on numbers or honors that make you stand out in your field—like having the highest sales in your category or breaking a sales record.

To make things easy for reviewers, organize these documents in a clear folder. Include news clippings, sales charts, and any certificates or awards, so your success is easy to see at a glance.