EB-1 Recommendation Letter Sample and Template

Key takeaways

EB-1 recommendation letters are crucial for demonstrating extraordinary ability or achievement, and must come from respected peers or experts who can speak credibly about your contributions.
A strong EB-1 letter includes a clear description of the applicant’s talents, specific examples of impact, supporting evidence, and a professional tone and structure tailored to USCIS standards.
Avoid vague language, excessive jargon, or letters that fail to address EB-1 criteria—quality and specificity matter more than quantity, with three to ten well-crafted letters generally recommended.

Navigating the immigration process can feel overwhelming, and that includes the EB-1 category. If you want to secure an EB-1 visa (and, eventually, a green card), you’ll need to prove your extraordinary ability and/or outstanding achievements in your field. And one of the most important assets for doing that? Your EB-1 recommendation letters.

These letters of recommendation (which are also known as reference letters, support letters, or expert opinion letters) play a pivotal role in highlighting your talents, abilities, and significant contributions to your field and proving your eligibility for the EB-1 visa. But not all recommendation letters are created equal. If you want your EB-1 recommendation letters to help your petition get approved, they need to include the right information and be written by the right people.

So what, exactly, does that look like?

At Manifest Law, we’re here to demystify the immigration law and EB-1 application process and empower you with the information you need to successfully showcase your talents and petition for permanent residency. Let’s take a deep dive into all things EB-1 recommendation letters: what they are (and who should write them), what they should include, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll also share EB-1 recommendation letter samples you can use as a starting point for your own reference letters—and explain why working with an experienced immigration attorney can give you a major edge in securing permanent residency via EB-1 status.

💡 What is the EB-1? The EB-1 is a first-preference employment-based immigrant visa category. The EB-1 is further broken down into three subcategories: EB-1A, for individuals with extraordinary ability; EB-1B, for outstanding researchers and professors; and EB-1C, for multinational managers or executives. Each EB-1 subcategory has its own eligibility requirements, but all offer a path to permanent residency in the U.S. (via a green card).

What Is an EB-1 Recommendation Letter?

An EB-1 recommendation letter is a letter written by an esteemed peer, expert, or industry leader that supports a beneficiary’s claim of extraordinary ability and/or outstanding achievements in their field. These letters, which are a key part of the EB-1 green card application, act as a kind of endorsement of the petitioner’s extraordinary status and help U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) better understand their professional reputation and important contributions through the lens of professionals within their field.

Essentially, if you’re applying for a green card through EB-1 status, your recommendation letters highlight your qualifications and why USCIS should approve your petition.

Why Are These Letters Important?

In order for your EB-1 petition to get approved, you need to prove that your work has had a substantial impact on your field. But the USCIS officers evaluating your visa petition aren’t necessarily going to be experts in your field. In some cases, they might not even be familiar with your field.

EB-1 recommendation letters play an important role because they bridge that knowledge gap, outlining your extraordinary ability, achievements, and/or contributions in a way that’s easy for reviewers (who again, are likely not experts) to understand. These letters offer proof of your influence, impact, and reputation in a way that other assets (like your resume) just can’t.

Who Should Write Your EB-1 Recommendation Letters?

EB-1 recommendation letters should come from respected individuals in your field who can speak with authority to your achievements, reputation, and extraordinary ability in your field. These people (known as “recommenders”) should be intimately familiar with your work, abilities, and contributions and able to articulate why you stand out from others in your industry.

This may include:

Industry experts
Esteemed colleagues in your peer group
Leaders of professional associations in your industry
Former or current employers or supervisors
Mentors, professors, or other contacts in your academic field
Award committee members
Notable collaborators or clients
Industry experts who are recognized leaders in your field

Tip: Keep in mind that, as an EB-1 application, you should not write these letters yourself. Self-authored letters aren’t going to hold the same weight as recommendation letters from respected third-parties—and USCIS can easily spot a letter that’s written by the applicant, which can lessen the overall strength of the petition.

Key Elements of a Strong EB-1 Recommendation Letter

Strong EB-1 recommendation letters should contain a few key elements, including:

1. Detailed Description of the Applicant’s Abilities

The letter should clearly describe what makes you exceptional in your field, including your specialized skills, leadership, work ethic, reputation, and significant contributions.

2. Evidence of Extraordinary Ability

The letter should also include concrete evidence of your extraordinary ability or outstanding achievement within your field, like:

Awards of major significance and/or national or international recognition
Years of experience (and accomplishments within those years)
Published works, patents, or other original contributions
Membership in industry organizations that require high standards
Major media coverage of your work, accomplishments, and/or contributions

When it comes to proving your extraordinary ability, the more proof, the better—so make sure your recommenders include plenty of evidence that showcases your talent, contributions, and exceptional standing and reputation in your field in their recommendation letters.

3. Personalized Examples and Impact

Just like more proof is better, more specific proof is better. If you want your EB-1 recommendation letter to have a real impact, rather than vague praise, it should include specific, concrete examples of how your work has challenged norms, driven innovation, and/or made a significant impact on your field.

4. Professional Tone and Structure

How your letters are written also matters. Each letter should be formal and professional, both in tone and structure. Make sure that each letter:

Includes a formal introduction (like “To Whom It May Concern”)
Includes the recommender’s full name, title, credentials, and contact information
Has a clear, easy-to-follow structure
Uses formal, professional, respectful language
Is signed and dated
Is written on official letterhead (when applicable)

Common Mistakes to Avoid in EB-1 Recommendation Letters

Understanding how to write EB-1 recommendation letters is important. But so is understanding how not to write EB-1 recommendation letters.

Some of the common mistakes recommenders make when writing support letters (mistakes that are important to avoid in your letters!) include:

1. Vague or Generic Language

Vague, generic statements like “He’s great to work with” or “She’s well known in our field” are never going to be as impactful as more specific examples of your impact. Make sure that your letters of recommendation include specific examples and praise (as well as evidence to back up any claims).

2. Overly Technical Jargon

As mentioned, USCIS reviewers may or may not be familiar with your field. And even if they are familiar with your field, chances are they are not familiar with your field’s vocabulary. As such, it’s important to avoid using overly complex, technical, and/or industry-specific terms that might cause confusion.

3. Failure to Address USCIS Criteria

Don’t expect USCIS reviewers to make the connection between your abilities, experience, and contributions and the EB-1 eligibility criteria. Instead, make sure that your letters of recommendation speak directly to the criteria and clearly outline your qualifications and how they align with EB-1 requirements.

How Many Recommendation Letters Do You Need for an EB-1 Green Card?

While there’s no required number of EB-1 recommendation letters, you should aim to include at least three (and up to 10) in your immigration petition. But it’s not just the number of letters you include; it’s the quality of those letters.

Make sure that every letter you include in your EB-1 petition is from reputable and credible sources in your field. Ideally, you should also aim to feature letters from a diverse set of recommenders who can each speak to different aspects of your talents and achievements (for example, your leadership skills, industry innovation, or technical expertise).

EB-1 Recommendation Letter Samples

If you’re curious what a strong EB-1 recommendation letter looks like, here are three EB-1 recommendation letter samples to help you better understand the tone, structure, and content and/or to use as templates for your own letters of recommendation:

Sample Letter 1: From an Employer

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to strongly recommend [Applicant Name] for the EB-1 visa based on their extraordinary ability in the field of [Industry/Field]. As [Applicant]’s supervisor at [Company Name], I’ve had the privilege of working alongside them on several high-profile projects. Their contributions, such as [specific project or result], have directly contributed to the company’s success and set them apart as one of the top professionals in our industry.

[Applicant]’s work has been recognized by [industry awards/publications], and they are considered a thought leader within the field.

I wholeheartedly support [Applicant Name]’s petition for permanent residency via EB-1

Sincerely,
[Name, Title, Company, Contact Info]

Sample Letter 2: From an Industry Peer

To Whom It May Concern,

I have worked with [Applicant Name] for [number] years in the field of [industry], and I can confidently say that they are one of the most exceptional professionals I have encountered. Their [specific contribution or project] has made a profound impact, setting new standards within the industry.

Their work has earned them [awards, recognition, major media attention] and is widely acknowledged by peers.

I strongly endorse [Applicant Name]’s petition for EB-1 approval as they clearly meet the criteria for extraordinary ability.

Best regards,
[Name, Title, Affiliation, Contact Info]

Sample Letter 3: From a Mentor

To Whom It May Concern,

I have known [Applicant Name] for [number] years as their mentor at [Institution]. During this time, [Applicant] has demonstrated a rare combination of intelligence, drive, and creativity. Their groundbreaking research on [subject] led to [publication, award, or application], and they have continued to contribute significantly to the field.

Given their extraordinary ability, I have no hesitation in recommending [Applicant] for EB-1 status.

Sincerely,
[Name, Title, Institution, Contact Info]

Strong EB-1 Recommendation Letters = Strong EB-1 Applications

If you’re hoping to secure permanent residency through an EB-1 visa, including strong recommendation letters with your petition is an absolute must. These letters play a major role in showcasing your extraordinary ability and/or outstanding achievement in your field to USCIS, which, in turn, can help you get approved.

But writing these letters (as well as choosing the best recommenders to write them) can be a tricky process. That’s why working with an experienced EB-1 visa lawyer is so important. At Manifest Law, our lawyers have collectively helped thousands of professionals navigate the EB-1 approval process with confidence, and we’re here to do the same for you.

Need help building a strong case for your EB-1 petition? Schedule a consultation today to get the personalized support, guidance, and legal advice you need to better navigate the immigration process and start your path towards permanent residency.

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