I copyedited all my recommendation letters. Does it look artificial?

Copyediting recommendation letters is not, in itself, a problem for the EB-2 NIW. Adjusting grammar, clarity, and flow is a common and acceptable practice. What can come across as artificial is erasing each writer’s voice, leaving all the letters with the same tone.

Officers value authenticity. A letter is persuasive when it shows the recommender genuinely knows your work, with concrete examples and a distinct point of view. Copyediting should preserve exactly that.

A few guidelines help maintain a natural feel:

• Edit the form, not the content: do not put words in the recommender’s mouth that they would not say.
• Preserve each person’s individual style and avoid making all the letters sound identical.
• Use real examples and situations that only that particular recommender would know.
• Do not insert claims the person would not be able to substantiate.

In short, improving presentation is legitimate; simulating spontaneity is not. Keep the integrity of the documents, and if you are unsure how to structure your letter package, it is worth reviewing USCIS guidance and going over your strategy with a specialist.

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.