Do recommendation letters need to include a description of how the author knows me?

Yes, it is highly advisable. In an O-1 petition, a recommendation letter carries much more weight when it explains how the author knows you. That context shows the evaluation comes from someone with a genuine basis to speak to your work.

Detailing the type of relationship, how long it has existed, and the nature of the collaboration helps officers understand the significance of each recommendation. A generic letter without that framing tends to be less persuasive than one that places the author within your career trajectory.

It is also helpful for the author to describe concrete achievements they personally witnessed, tying your reputation to verifiable facts. This reinforces the credibility of your overall evidence package.

• Explain how and for how long you have known each other.
• Describe the nature of the professional collaboration.
• Reference specific accomplishments the author observed directly.

Each case is evaluated individually, so it is worth aligning the letters with the rest of the petition and, if needed, reviewing everything with a 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.