Can public or mixed-economy companies (such as Petrobras) issue recommendation letters for the EB-2 NIW?

Yes, in the EB-2 NIW a public or mixed-economy company, such as Petrobras, can issue a recommendation letter. The type of company, by itself, does not disqualify the document: what truly matters is the authority of the person signing and the quality of what the letter asserts.

A strong letter comes from a professional with credibility and experience in the field, who can objectively attest to your accomplishments and contributions. If the signatory has recognized standing in the area and provides a well-grounded opinion, the letter fits comfortably into your body of evidence.

The key consideration is independence. For this type of visa, recommendations from individuals with a direct personal relationship or strong institutional dependence on you may be received with greater scrutiny by the authorities. The letter must convey an impartial perspective on the relevance of your work to the United States.

In short: what matters more than the company is who signs and how. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth assembling your set of recommendations with a specialist and reviewing the latest USCIS guidance before filing.

About the author

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.