Do I need a recommendation from a U.S. government entity for the EB-1?

No. The EB-1 does not require a letter or recommendation from any U.S. government entity. The weight of the process lies in demonstrating your extraordinary ability and the impact of your work, not in an endorsement from a public agency.

Recommendation letters remain important, but their value comes from who writes them: specialists, leaders, and recognized references in your field who can authoritatively describe the relevance of your contributions. These independent voices are what help validate your distinction.

• Prioritize recommendations from individuals with credibility and direct knowledge of your work.
• Gather objective evidence that supports what the letters assert.
• Build a varied body of proof rather than relying on a single document.

Since each case is reviewed individually, it is worth confirming the current requirements with USCIS or an immigration specialist before organizing your documentation.

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.