Is it good to have a letter from someone who disagrees with me but acknowledges my relevance?

Yes, such a letter can be valuable in an EB-2 NIW petition. When someone who disagrees with you on some point still recognizes the importance of your work, the testimony comes across as more impartial and less ‘arranged’, which tends to add weight to the argument.

The logic is straightforward: praise from allies is expected. Recognition coming from someone who has reservations, on the other hand, shows that your relevance holds up even under a critical eye. This conveys credibility and strengthens the overall letter package.

To be effective, however, the letter needs to be well constructed:

• Clearly state the point of disagreement, without hedging.
• Explain why that disagreement does not diminish the value of your work.
• Point to concrete contributions and results, not just opinions.
• Come from someone with genuine authority to evaluate your field.

When carefully integrated with the rest of the petition, an honest and critical letter can add considerable weight. If you are unsure how to balance your overall recommendation package, it is worth reviewing the USCIS guidelines and discussing 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.