My advisor doesn’t speak English. How can I get a recommendation letter?

The fact that your advisor does not speak English does not prevent them from writing a recommendation letter for your EB-2 NIW application. This situation is common and has a straightforward, accepted solution: the letter can be written in your advisor’s language and then translated.

The standard approach works as follows:

• Your advisor writes the letter in the language they are most comfortable with.
• A qualified translator produces the English version of the document.
• That translator issues a statement certifying that the translation is accurate and complete with respect to the original.

This certification is what gives the translated content its credibility and helps avoid questions or delays. For that reason, it is worth choosing an experienced and reputable professional who can meet the standards expected in immigration documentation.

Maintain clear communication among yourself, your advisor, and whoever is supporting the process, and when in doubt, seek guidance from an immigration professional, relying only on official sources.

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.