EB-1A Cover Letter: the 18 to 30 Pages That Carry Your Petition

Because the EB-1A does not require a labor certification (the "Labor Certification" or "PERM": an official confirmation that no US applicants are available for an advertised position), the applicant must prepare a formal cover letter and attach the supporting documents when filing the I-140 petition.

The cover letter guides USCIS officers through your EB-1A petition, but every piece of evidence you submit is reviewed. 

USCIS first reviews the attached letters, recommendations, evidence and sworn statements one by one against the legal criteria, and then as a whole.

That is why the EB-1A cover letter deserves the greatest care. It should come out of a detailed analysis of the supporting documents and highlight the applicant's technical expertise and professional background. 

Put real effort into drafting the letter, and make sure the final document meets the legal requirements and presents the applicant's abilities perfectly.

1The cover letter is an absolutely critical part of the EB-1A petition

The cover letter is the final summary of everything in the petition, and the draft should take the following into account:

• It should explain the applicant's field, analyze their technical or business expertise and highlight every quality that shows they stand at the top of that field.
• It should explain precisely the evidence attached to the petition and how it meets the criteria USCIS has set for the category.
• It should describe the applicant's professional abilities in detail, highlighting their skills and achievements. Their extraordinary ability should be proven with the right documents.

Simply reading the USCIS regulations is not enough to file a successful petition. The regulations only list the evidence required to apply for the EB-1A classification.

The officers who assess the evidence examine the attached documents thoroughly to establish the applicant's professional merits and whether every criterion meets the EB-1A regulations.

EB-1A petitions are often denied for lack of evidence. So it is essential that the cover letter and all supporting evidence are strong enough to prove the applicant's claims.

The cover letter usually runs to about 18 to 30 pages and is the most important part of the petition, so getting professional help with the draft is essential. Almost all denials trace back to applicants filing their EB-1A petition themselves and only seeking professional help once USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE).

For other mistakes to avoid, see common mistakes in the EB-1A petition; for all the requirements at a glance, visit our EB-1A green card hub.