Is a recommendation from a former advisor still valid after many years?

Yes, a recommendation from a former advisor can remain valid for an EB-2 NIW petition even after a significant amount of time. The age of the letter alone does not disqualify it: what truly matters is the quality and relevance of what it describes about your skills, accomplishments, and the impact of your work.

An older letter that portrays meaningful contributions and fits within a consistent career trajectory can still strengthen your case. That said, good practice includes:

• Supplementing with more recent letters or supporting evidence when available.
• Demonstrating continuity between what the letter describes and your current activities.
• Ensuring each recommendation is specific and substantiated, not generic.

This way, the full set of materials tells a coherent story to the reviewing officer. To align your petition package with current guidelines, it is worth consulting USCIS guidance or an immigration 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.