For your visa interview at US Embassy London

Public Charge — Statement Template

A written statement you adapt and send to the embassy before your interview, and bring printed to your interview appointment. It demonstrates your planning for housing, employment, and health insurance — showing the officer that you and your sponsor have thought through financial self-sufficiency. Treat it as a required document.

⚠️ Treat this as mandatory

The embassy's messaging may describe this statement as something you may voluntarily submit. Do not treat it as optional. Community experience is consistent: cases go more smoothly when this statement has been submitted, and its absence invites exactly the line of questioning it is designed to answer. Prepare it, submit it before your interview, and bring a printed copy — regardless of how the embassy frames it.

ℹ️ What this is and why it matters

The officer wants to see that you have thought through housing, employment, and health insurance — and how each will be paid for. A clear, specific plan reads as low risk. No plan at all reads as a red flag. It takes 20 minutes to write and removes an entire line of questioning at interview.

Be specific — a real address, a named employer, a named insurance provider. Specific details are more convincing than general plans.
Keep it concise — one to two paragraphs per section.
Include your case number in both the subject line and body so the unit can match it to your file.
Send it early — at least a few days before your interview. Last-minute submissions may not be reviewed in time.
Don't overthink it — if your situation is straightforward, say exactly that.

🗣️ Know the answers to these questions

The statement raises specific questions the officer may put to the beneficiary at the window. Whether or not each detail is written into the statement, the beneficiary should be able to answer all of the following out loud and consistently with what was submitted:

What does the petitioner do for work? Job title, employer, and roughly what they earn.
What does the joint sponsor do for work? Where a joint sponsor is required — their job title, employer, and roughly what they earn.
What will the beneficiary do for work in the US? The intended role or sector, and whether a job is already lined up or will be sought after arrival.
What is the plan for the beneficiary's health insurance? How the beneficiary will be covered before and after arrival — added to a spouse/family employer plan, a private/short-term policy, or the ACA marketplace.
What is the plan for the beneficiary's housing? Where the beneficiary will live on arrival — a confirmed address, or the area and timeline if not yet secured.
How will the health insurance and housing be paid for? Which income covers the premiums and the rent/mortgage during any period before the beneficiary is earning.
What are the estimated salaries? Roughly what the beneficiary expects to earn in the US, compared with what the petitioner and/or joint sponsor earns — so the officer can see the household is supported throughout.

💡 How to submit

Email to LNDIVSubmissions@state.gov with your case number in the subject line, or upload directly to your case in CEAC. Do this at least a few days before your interview date.

Email Template

To: LNDIVSubmissions@state.gov Subject: Public Charge Statement – [Your Case Number e.g. LND0123456789] – [Beneficiary Full Name] Dear Immigrant Visa Unit, I am writing to submit my public charge statement in advance of my immigrant visa interview. My case number is [LND0123456789] and my interview is scheduled for [DATE]. HOUSING Upon entry to the United States, I will be living with my [spouse / family member], [Name], at [Full address, City, State, ZIP]. [If address not yet confirmed: We are currently in the process of securing accommodation in [City/State] and expect to confirm our address within [timeframe].] The housing costs will be met by [my petitioner's income / our joint income]. EMPLOYMENT I am a [job title / profession] with [X years] of experience in [sector/industry]. [Choose one:] [Option A — continuing with current employer: I am currently employed by [Employer name] and plan to continue in my role with their US operations following my move. My employer has confirmed this arrangement.] [Option B — seeking employment: I plan to seek employment in [sector] upon arrival. I have [relevant qualifications/experience] and expect to secure employment within [timeframe], at an estimated salary of approximately [$XX,XXX] per year. I have already begun [researching / applying for] roles in [City/State].] My petitioner, [Name], works as a [petitioner job title] at [Employer name], earning approximately [$XX,XXX] per year. [If a joint sponsor is required: My joint sponsor, [Name], works as a [joint sponsor job title] at [Employer name], earning approximately [$XX,XXX] per year.] During any period before my own employment begins, my household will be supported by [my petitioner's / my joint sponsor's] income. The I-864 Affidavit(s) of Support confirm this commitment. HEALTH INSURANCE [Choose one:] [Option A — added to existing plan: I will be added to my [spouse's / family member's] employer-provided health insurance plan through [Employer name] once my Social Security Number is issued. The plan is provided by [Insurance provider] and covers [self and dependents / family].] [Option B — purchasing own plan: I will obtain health insurance through [the Affordable Care Act marketplace / private provider]. I have researched available plans in [State] and expect the monthly premium to be approximately [$XXX].] The insurance premiums will be paid for by [my petitioner's income / our joint income / my own income once employed]. I am committed to supporting myself and my family independently and have no intention of relying on public benefits. I am happy to provide any additional information if required. Yours sincerely, [Beneficiary Full Name] Case Number: [LND0123456789] [Email address]

⚠️ Not legal advice

This template is based on community experience and is not legal advice. Your situation may differ. If you have complex circumstances — prior public benefits use, gaps in employment, medical conditions — consider consulting an immigration attorney before your interview.

Embassy scope note: This template is for the US Embassy London. The submission email address (LNDIVSubmissions@state.gov) is specific to London. If you are processing through a different embassy, confirm the correct submission address with your embassy.