Immigration Letter of Support for the O-1

What an immigration letter of support (recommendation or reference letter) for an O-1 petition should include, who should write it, and how it differs from the advisory opinion.

Page reviewed October 8, 2026.

Quick answer. An immigration letter of support for an O-1 is a signed letter from an independent expert, colleague or client that explains, from first-hand knowledge, what you have contributed to your field and why it matters. It supports the evidence criteria in your petition. It is different from the advisory opinion (consultation), which is a separate document the petition must include. There is no required number of letters, and quality matters more than count.

What a letter of support does

A petition proves extraordinary ability with documents. Letters turn those documents into a story an officer can follow: who you are in your field, what you did, who relied on it and why it was significant. A good letter points to facts that appear elsewhere in the petition, such as press, awards, publications or contracts, and explains what they mean to someone who knows the field.

Letters of support and the advisory opinion are different

  • The advisory opinion (consultation) is required. It is a written opinion from a peer group, or a person with expertise in your field, on whether you meet the O-1 standard.
  • Letters of support are evidence you choose to include. They come from experts, colleagues, clients or collaborators and speak to specific contributions.
  • A petition needs the advisory opinion even if it also contains many letters.

Who should write them

  • Independent experts who know your work and are recognized in your field.
  • People who have used, relied on, hired or reviewed your work, such as clients, editors, curators, investors or collaborators.
  • A mix of authors, so the letters do not all say the same thing in the same voice.
  • Authors who can state their own credentials, and say how they know you and your work.

What a strong letter includes

  1. The author's name, position and credentials, and why the author is qualified to judge work in your field.
  2. How the author knows you and your work, with dates and context.
  3. Specific contributions, described with facts: what you did, for whom, and what changed as a result.
  4. Why those contributions are significant, compared with what is normal in the field.
  5. References to supporting documents in the petition, so the letter and the exhibits reinforce each other.
  6. A signature, date and contact details for the author.

What to avoid

  • Generic praise with no facts, such as calling you talented without saying what you did.
  • Letters that repeat each other or read as if one person wrote them all.
  • Claims the author cannot support from personal knowledge.
  • Statements the author has not read and agreed with. The author must review, edit and sign only what is true.

How many letters do you need

USCIS sets no required number. The right number depends on the criteria you are using and how strong the other evidence is. A few precise, well-sourced letters are worth more than many vague ones.

How Lando helps with letters

Lando prepares expert and reference letters as part of the petition. Authors review every draft, change what is not accurate in their own words, and sign only what they can stand behind. Lando cannot invent statements or sign for anyone.

Common questions

What is an immigration letter of support?

A signed letter from an independent expert, colleague or client that explains, from first-hand knowledge, what you have contributed to your field and why it matters. In an O-1 petition it supports the evidence criteria. It is also called a recommendation letter or reference letter.

Is a letter of support the same as the advisory opinion?

No. The advisory opinion (consultation) is a required written opinion from a peer group or an expert in your field on whether you meet the O-1 standard. Letters of support are additional evidence that speak to specific contributions.

How many recommendation letters does an O-1 need?

USCIS sets no required number. A few specific, well-sourced letters from credible authors are worth more than many generic ones.

Who should write my immigration reference letter?

Independent experts who know your work and are recognized in your field, and people who have relied on, hired or reviewed your work. A mix of authors is stronger than letters that all come from one circle.

Can someone else write the letter for the author to sign?

Drafts can be prepared for an author, but the author must review it, correct it so it is accurate, and sign only what they can stand behind. Letters with statements the author cannot support put the petition at risk.

Does Lando write support letters?

Lando prepares expert and reference letters as part of the petition, for each author to review, edit and sign. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Sources

Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.