Previous Earnings- Mandatory - Letter from Employer?

[dilip_gem]

Hi there,
I want to apply for Tier 1 visa in the month of Jan. I joined my current company on 18th Feb 2008. As its mid-of the month. I do not want to claim my income for the month of Feb'08, Instead I would like to claim imcome for the month of Dec'2007.
So my claim of income would be as below:

Company B (Current) - Income from 01-Mar-2008 to 30-Nov-2008
Company A (Previous)- Income from 01-Dec-2007 to 31-Jan-2008

I have salary slips (attested) and bank statements for this entire period.
My query is apart from this documentary proof, do I need a letter from my both the employers? In few forums its mentioned that salary slips (attested) and bank statements are sufficient. but on UK Home office site they have mentioned that the letter from employer is mandtory - Please find below extracts from their site( http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... o_top_link). Please respond.

Documentary evidence for those who have been in salaried employment

You should not send payslips together with a letter from your employer, because we consider both of these documents to be from the same source.

personal bank statements showing salary received – these should be on official bank stationery and show each of the payments you are claiming. Electronic statements should be accompanied by a supporting letter from your bank on company headed paper confirming the documents’ authenticity;
payslips – either formal payslips or on company-headed paper. If payslips are not on headed paper or are received online they should be authenticated by your employer with signature and stamp. You must provide payslips for each month claimed;
a letter from your (previous) employer(s) on company-headed paper clearly stating your earnings
during the chosen period of up to 12 months, and the date and amount of each payment. The letter should be dated after the period for which earnings are being claimed and show your gross and net pay.

[xen400]

In simple terms,

your options are;

Payslips + Bank Statements

or

Letter from Employer + Bank Statements


So as in your case Payslips + Bank Statements are sufficient.

[priya_bhosale]

Nowhere can I see that the letter from employer is mandatory!

Payslips and bank statements are sufficient

[rg1]

It is not mandatory but if there is no problem, then supplying of this letter is recommended.

[s_saini]

Letter From employer and salary slips are two diffrent evidances. But can't be considered two diffrent evidances bcz these are from the same source. If these two are considered one then any one of them is suffice.

Otherwise I think given below combination are fully acceptable as given in the guidelines.

Salary Slips + Bank Statement

OR

Salary Certificate + Bank Statement

Correct me If I am wrong.