Promotion Letters
Document the raise, the title, and the new role.
Formalize an internal promotion with a letter capturing the new title, new compensation, and effective date.
Who it's for
- Internal moves without a new offer letter
- Post-promotion mortgage or visa updates
What's included
- Previous & new title
- New compensation
- Effective date
- Authorizing signature
What it proves
- Career progression
- Updated income
What this document actually is
Internal promotions rarely come with a fresh offer letter — you get an email, a Slack message, or a verbal confirmation. That's a problem the first time you need to prove your new title or salary to a reviewer. A formal promotion letter captures the transition on company letterhead so it becomes a document you can actually submit. Mortgage borrowers who got promoted mid-application, visa holders whose LCA needs updating, and executives moving into leadership all need one.
When people reach for this document
You got promoted mid-mortgage-application
Underwriters will re-run DTI at the new salary, but only if you have a promotion letter confirming the change. Verbal confirmation isn't enough.
Your H-1B or L-1 role changed
A material change in role or salary requires an amended LCA. The promotion letter is exhibit A.
You want to update your LinkedIn with confidence
A formal letter turns "I think I'm a Senior Manager now" into a documented change with an effective date.
What the delivered document looks like
- Employer letterhead, dated the effective day
- Previous title and new title
- Previous salary and new salary (with effective date)
- New reporting structure if it changed
- Signature from HR or the promoting manager
What reviewers check
- Effective date is stated and consistent
- Salary change is plausible for the promotion level
- Title change follows a real progression
- Signatory has authority to grant promotions
Questions specific to promotion letters
Can this replace an updated offer letter?
For most reviewers, yes. Mortgage underwriters will accept a promotion letter plus one post-promotion pay stub.
Do I need HR to sign?
Ideally, yes. In smaller companies, the promoting manager's signature works.
Should the letter mention the raise amount?
Yes, if the promotion changed comp. Not mentioning it is the reason underwriters send it back for revision.