The EB-2 NIW waives the sponsor requirement, but do I still need reference letters from colleagues?

The EB-2 NIW does indeed waive the job offer and sponsor requirements, but that does not mean you are petitioning alone, without any external support. Reference letters are not a form of sponsorship: they are evidence that helps demonstrate your work has merit and national importance, and they are usually a valuable component of the petition package.

The greatest weight tends to come from letters written by independent experts, people who do not work with you on a daily basis but know your field and can credibly attest to the relevance and impact of your work. Letters from close colleagues are also included, but they tend to carry more weight when combined with more objective evidence.

• A sponsor is waived; reference letters remain highly recommended.
• References from independent experts tend to carry more weight.
• Letters work best when supported by concrete evidence of your impact.

Since the strength of each letter depends on the overall package, it is worth planning with a specialist who should write the letters and what to highlight, and confirming current best practices before assembling the petition.

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.