Is a recommendation letter written by myself valid for the EB-2 NIW?

For the EB-2 NIW, the short answer is no: a recommendation letter written by the applicant is not valid as evidence. The value of these letters lies precisely in the impartiality of those who sign them.

Authorities look for recognition coming from third parties who are closely familiar with your work, such as experts, researchers, or professionals in your field, without any conflict of interest. It is that external perspective that lends credibility to the argument that your work has relevance, not a self-declaration.

• Favor authors with recognized authority in the field who can speak to your concrete impact.
• Specific and detailed letters carry more weight than generic praise.
• Combine the recommendations with objective evidence of your work.

Honesty and transparency strengthen your profile. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth verifying updated requirements and assembling your petition with the support of trusted professionals.

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.