Can former bosses who no longer work at the company write me recommendation letters?

Yes. For EB-2 NIW, a former supervisor can write a recommendation letter even if they are no longer with the company. What gives the document its value is not their current affiliation, but the fact that this person closely observed your work.

The letter carries more weight when it makes the professional relationship clear: how you worked together, for how long, and in what capacity the former supervisor observed your skills, contributions, and results. Detail and credibility matter more than the title the person holds today.

• Explain the nature and duration of the working relationship.
• Describe contributions and impact with concrete examples.
• Prioritize those who genuinely know your work, not just those with impressive titles.

Since each letter should strengthen the overall petition, it is worth choosing your recommenders carefully and, if needed, reviewing your recommendation 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.