Can brothers-in-law, friends, and family members write recommendation letters?

There is no formal prohibition against including letters from brothers-in-law, friends, or family members, but in the EB-1, this type of recommendation typically carries limited weight. The purpose of a recommendation letter is to attest to achievements impartially, and a close personal relationship undermines that perception of objectivity.

The most persuasive letters come from recognized experts and leaders in your field, who can assess your contributions in a critical and well-grounded way. A recommendation of that kind tends to carry far more weight than one from someone with a personal interest in your case.

• Prioritize independent references with authority in the field.
• Ask each letter to detail concrete achievements, not generic praise.
• Use personal connections, at most, as complementary support.

Focusing your efforts on external and credible recommendations strengthens the petition. To understand what tends to persuade reviewers, it is worth consulting USCIS guidance and building your letter package with 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.