I received 3 nearly identical letters. Should I still submit them?

Before submitting, it is worth reviewing. In the EB-1, three nearly identical recommendation letters tend to add little value because they do not bring different perspectives on your background. What gives a letter strength is the unique content of the person writing it, not the simple repetition of praise.

When several letters say practically the same thing, they may give the impression of having been standardized, which weakens the evidence rather than reinforcing it. The adjudicator reviews each document carefully and values the unique contribution of each one.

Instead of submitting all three as they are, it is generally more productive to:

• ask each author to highlight different aspects of your work;
• include concrete examples of your achievements and their impact;
• ensure each letter reflects the genuine experience of the person signing it;
• prioritize quality and complementarity over quantity.

If you are unsure whether to use or revise the letters, it is worth reviewing them carefully and checking updated best practices from the official source or 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.