EB-1A recommendation letter translation (Chinese to English)
Recommendation letters are read closely by USCIS officers for specific, verifiable claims — a translation needs to preserve the recommender's exact language about the applicant's contributions, not smooth it into generic praise.
USCIS requirement: Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), each translated letter needs its own translator's certification. Because EB-1A petitions typically include multiple letters, USCIS officers often compare how the same institution, award, or project name is translated across letters — inconsistency across your letter set is a common reason officers question the credibility of the evidence.
Common mistakes that trigger an RFE
Institution and title translated differently letter to letter
If Letter A calls the recommender's institution one thing and Letter B translates the same institution differently, it reads as sloppy rather than as two independent recommenders — a shared glossary across all letters prevents this.
Recommender's credentials softened or embellished
A translation should render the recommender's title and affiliation exactly as stated, without upgrading an informal title into something more impressive-sounding in English.
Specific, quantifiable claims turned into vague praise
Officers weigh specific claims (e.g. "reduced production defects by 18%") much more heavily than generic praise ("an outstanding researcher") — the translation should preserve the specificity of the original Chinese, not simplify it.
FAQ
How many recommendation letters does an EB-1A petition typically need?
There is no fixed USCIS minimum, but petitioners commonly submit multiple letters to cover different regulatory criteria — your attorney will advise on the right number and mix for your case.
Should the letters be translated by the same translator?
Using one translator (or a shared glossary) across all letters in the same case reduces the risk of the same term being translated two different ways, which is one of the more common formatting-related RFE triggers.
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