Do generic letters (‘he is an exemplary professional’) without concrete details hold up?

In the EB-1, generic recommendation letters tend to carry limited weight. Phrases like ‘he is an exemplary professional,’ without examples or supporting data, say little about why you stand out among peers and are unlikely to move the analysis in your favor.

What gives a letter strength is specificity. The author should describe what you did, in what context, and to what effect, so that the adjudicating authority can assess your contribution in an objective way.

• Specific projects you led or influenced.
• Results and impact described in concrete, verifiable terms.
• The author’s relationship to you and why their opinion carries weight.

It is worth guiding your recommenders away from vague praise and toward anchoring every claim in facts. Since each case is evaluated individually, consider reviewing the letters with a specialist before filing.

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.