Can I use colleague testimonials in an EB-2 NIW petition?

Yes. In an EB-2 NIW petition, you can use colleague testimonials, often in the form of recommendation letters, to attest to your experience and the impact of your work. When done well, they help support the case that your contributions carry meaningful value in your field.

What makes a testimonial carry weight is not the title of the person signing it, but the substance of what they describe. The strongest letters tend to:

• Come from professionals with direct knowledge of your work.
• Be specific, grounded in examples and concrete evidence, not generic praise.
• Explain how your contributions benefit the field or the professional community.
• Complement the other documents in the petition, reinforcing the same narrative.

It is worth balancing testimonials from close colleagues with more independent voices, to lend credibility to the overall package. Because each petition is evaluated individually, check the latest guidance with USCIS or a qualified specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.