Does the USCIS review whether my recommendation letters are self-produced?

Yes. In the EB-1 process, the USCIS does not evaluate only what recommendation letters say, but also who wrote them and how independently. Letters perceived as self-produced (drafted by the applicant or by people with a direct personal connection) tend to carry less weight, since they raise questions about the objectivity of the assessments.

This does not mean that letters from close associates are useless, but the overall package gains strength when it includes independent, recognized voices in your field who can evaluate your work objectively. Generic or repetitive letters typically add little value.

• Prioritize authors with recognized authority in the field, even if they do not know you personally.
• Request specific letters that describe concrete contributions and their impact.
• Avoid identical templates signed by multiple people.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth checking the latest USCIS guidance and, if possible, reviewing your letter strategy 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.