Are recommendation letters from family members valid?

In general, no. In the EB-1, recommendation letters written by family members are generally not considered valid to demonstrate extraordinary ability, even if they show support and closeness.

The reason is impartiality. To attest to your merit, the review process values testimony from professionals who have no personal connection with you and can assess your achievements objectively and with authority in the field. A letter from someone with a close personal relationship tends to be seen as biased.

• Prefer letters from experts and recognized references in your field.
• Seek those who can speak to the impact of your work, not to your personal character.
• Each letter should objectively reinforce a specific aspect of your professional profile.

Since the criteria may vary, it is worth checking updated guidance from USCIS and preparing your letters with the support of a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.