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My recommendation letters just repeat ‘He is great. He won many awards.’ without specifying which ones. Is that bad?

Generic recommendation letters compromise the EB-1 visa application; clear detailing and recognized sources are recommended to evidence relevant achievements.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on March 15, 2025
2 min read
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The EB-1 visa is aimed at professionals who stand out in their fields, and therefore each element of the process must demonstrate in a detailed and convincing manner the relevance and uniqueness of your achievements.

In the case of recommendation letters, generic statements such as ‘He is great. He won many awards.’ may not be sufficient to demonstrate the level of excellence required. It is essential that the letters include specific information, such as: which awards were won, the significance of these awards in the context of the area, details about projects or research that highlight the candidate’s relevant contribution and, if possible, comparisons with other professionals in the field.

This helps to concretely reinforce your eligibility for the EB-1 visa. Furthermore, it is recommended that the letters come from recognized sources and that the relationship between the recommender and the candidate be clearly explained.

The more detailed and well-founded the content is, the better the evaluation will be by those responsible for the U.S. immigration process. Always remember the importance of complying with immigration laws and seeking information from reliable sources.

If you have doubts regarding documents and procedures, it is advisable to look for companies or professionals specialized in the area – but be careful with promises of immediate or guaranteed results, as they may not reflect the reality of the process.

In summary, recommendation letters that do not detail their claims tend to weaken your case, as they do not clearly demonstrate the impact and relevance of your achievements. Investing in more robust and specific recommendations is an essential step to strengthen your EB-1 application.

Learn more about EB-1 Visa

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1 Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

My recommendation letters just repeat ‘He is great. He won many awards.’ without specifying which ones. Is that bad?

Generic recommendation letters compromise the EB-1 visa application; clear detailing and recognized sources are recommended to evidence relevant achievements.

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