I want to cite that I was paid 5x the industry average. Are pay stubs required?

Pay stubs are very helpful, but they are not the only way to document your compensation. In the EB-1, when you want to cite a salary well above the industry average, the key point is that the information must be backed by verifiable documents, not simply stated.

Pay stubs are among the most direct forms of evidence because they show amounts, benefits, and deductions period by period. That said, if you do not have them available, other documents can serve the same purpose, such as:

• Tax returns.
• Employment contracts and employer letters.
• Bank statements showing salary deposits.

What strengthens the case is consistency: the documents must tell the same story and reflect reality. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth verifying the updated requirements with USCIS or a specialist to build a coherent file.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.