Can letters from the same university department be used in an EB-2 NIW petition?

Yes. In an EB-2 NIW petition, recommendation letters from the same university department are acceptable, as long as each one provides a genuinely independent evaluation and highlights distinct contributions of your work. It is not the shared origin that weakens the letters, but rather repetition of content.

The letters serve as supporting evidence of the merit and relevance of your work. The goal is to build a set of complementary perspectives, not a collection of texts that say the same thing. When testimonials use nearly identical arguments or appear to have been written by the same hand, this tends to reduce the weight of the package rather than strengthen it.

• Prioritize signatories who are familiar with different aspects of your work.
• Have each letter address specific projects, results, or impacts.
• Avoid standardized phrases and structures copied from one letter to another.

Each case is evaluated individually by the relevant authority, so it is worth reviewing the current guidelines and, if possible, going over your letter strategy with a specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

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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.