Guide
How to Get a VA Benefit Letter
How to download a VA benefit summary or verification letter from VA.gov for a residency or retirement visa abroad — which letter to choose and how recent it should be.
Quick answer
Sign in to VA.gov and download your benefit letter — it’s free and generated instantly. The benefit summary letter, showing your disability rating and monthly amount, is usually the right one for income proof. Download it close to your filing date.
On this page
Step by step
Sign in to VA.gov
Use your existing sign-in credentials.
Go to your VA letters
Choose the benefit summary letter unless the consulate asked for something else.
Select what to show
Include the monthly benefit amount — that’s the income proof.
Download and print
Print the official letter, not a screenshot.
Which letter
- Benefit summary letter — rating and monthly amount. Usual choice.
- Service verification letter — confirms service dates; for discharge details, foreign authorities usually want the DD-214.
When you’ll need it abroad
- Retirement and residency visas with income requirements
- Proving veteran status for benefits abroad
- Bank account opening abroad
- Healthcare or disability recognition overseas
Troubleshooting
The letter doesn't show the monthly amount
Select the option to include benefit amounts before downloading.
You can't sign in
Use the VA's identity verification help, or request the letter by phone.
The consulate wants proof of service
Your DD-214 is the discharge record they usually mean.
You also receive Social Security
Get the SSA letter too — many consulates count all verified income.
Next: getting it apostilled
Once you have the document, it needs authentication before a foreign authority will accept it. See how to apostille it. Our price is $299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees included.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VA letter free?
Yes. It generates instantly on VA.gov.
Which VA letter proves income?
The benefit summary letter showing your monthly benefit amount.
Can I use the VA mobile app screenshot?
No. Print the official letter from VA.gov.
Can family members get the letter?
Letters for survivors or dependents are available through their own VA access.
Is the letter accepted as proof of income?
Yes, when it shows the monthly benefit amount.
Sources: U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Hague Conference — Apostille Section · VA — Download VA letters. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.