For EB-1B, I submitted only 1 letter and the officer requested more. Is that normal?

Yes, it is relatively common. The EB-1B is designed for outstanding professors and researchers, and the documentation review is rigorous. When it comes to recommendation letters, officers typically look for multiple sources that confirm the recognition and relevance of your work.

With few letters, the officer may have doubts about the strength of your recognition in the field. Requesting additional material is a way to verify that the required standard is fully met, and is not automatically a sign that the case is going poorly.

To respond well to this type of request, it helps to strengthen the petition with consistent letters, preferably from:

• Experts or well-regarded peers in your field.
• People capable of providing a well-founded assessment of your career trajectory.
• Sources that add distinct perspectives on your impact.

Pay close attention to what the officer requested and organize your response with robust evidence. Since each case is evaluated individually by USCIS, it is worth confirming the updated requirements from the official source or with a specialist when supplementing the petition.

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.