Last updated on November 14, 2025
Are you also dreaming of studying, living or working in the USA? If so, then you are likely already aware that educational evaluation services are a crucial step for any US Green Card or H1B applicant.
While getting your foreign educational credentials may feel surprising or scary, once you understand the process it is pretty SIMPLE! Just as we need a passport to travel out of the country we need the educational evaluation process to confirm our foreign credentials. The educational evaluations are used in substance, as proof to verify your qualifications & US equivalents to the government, employers or educational institutions within the USA.
In this blog we will help you decode what an educational evaluation is? Why is it necessary for a Green Card or H1B? How to select an educational evaluation company? & lastly the steps you must follow to guide the process.
After this, you will know what it takes to confirm your foreign degree in the USA & will feel confident that your American dream is in vision!
What is Educational Evaluation?
An educational evaluation, sometimes called a foreign credential evaluation is a formal survey of your academic qualifications gained outside the US. It decides the US equivalent of your foreign degrees, diplomas or transcripts.
In simple terms, it helps organizations like the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers or universities understand how your education compares to US academic standards.
For example – If you completed a master’s degree in India your credential evaluation will identify if it is equivalent to a US master’s degree or bachelor’s degree. This is important for visa eligibility, professional licensing & employment approval.
Educational Evaluation for US Green Card!
Understanding the Green Card Process
A US Green Card (Permanent Residency) permits you to live & work in the USA permanently. Many Green Card categories, particularly those based on employment, need documentation that provides evidence of your educational qualifications.
The USCIS uses academic evaluation reports to confirm that your educational studies from your foreign educational institutions meet the US equivalency. Without this type of report your education will not GET proper validation as part of the immigration process.
Role of Educational Evaluation
For Green Card applicants, particularly for those in the EB-2 or EB-3 classifications, the educational credential evaluation constitutes the formal validation of your educational credentials. It indicates whether your foreign degree meets job or immigration category requirements.
Choosing an Accredited Evaluator
Choosing a reliable academic credential evaluation service is very important. You should always select an evaluator that is a member of –
- NACES – National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or
- AICE – Association of International Credential Evaluators
These 2 organizations guarantee that the evaluators are subject to very high professional & ethical standards. There are also very reliable names such as WES – World Education Services, ECE – Educational Credential Evaluators, IERF- International Education Research Foundation & Document Evaluation that are broadly accepted by USCIS & employers in the USA.
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Education Evaluation for H1B Visa
What Is an H1B Visa?
The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign professionals who possess specialized skills to work in the USA. You must prove that your degree meets US standards of a bachelor’s admission (or higher) in a related field to your position.
Why Do You Need an Educational Evaluation?
When you submit your H1B visa application to US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) it will also require additional verification that your degree is equivalent to a US degree. This is why you need H1B educational evaluation services. The reviewer will be able to review your transcript & assignments & give you an expert credential evaluation letter that states your qualifications meet approval of US standards.
Moreover, while improving your H1B visa application this report provides peace of mind to your employer as it shows your education is genuine & meets the needs of the position.
Documents Required for H1B Educational Evaluation
To complete your education evaluation for H1B visa, you will need to submit –
- Copies of your degree certificate & transcripts
- Course descriptions or syllabi
- Certified English translations
- Work experience details
Many evaluators offer course-by-course credential evaluation or document evaluation services customized for visa applicants.
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How to Get an Educational Evaluation for Green Card or H1B Visa
Follow these easy steps to complete your foreign credential evaluation successfully:
Step 1 – Choose the Right Evaluation Service
Select a credential evaluation organization that is a member of NACES or AICE & guarantee that the agency you choose particularly provides immigration credential evaluation services as certain reports can be specific to visa & Green Card use.
Step 2 – Gather and Submit Your Documents
Collect your diplomas, transcripts & relevant course data. If your documents are not in English you will need certified translations of those documents. Upload or send the documents to your evaluator along with your application.
Step 3 – Select the Evaluation Type
- Course-by-Course Evaluation – This includes subjects, grades & credit hours (best for education and professional licensing).
- Document-by-Document Evaluation – This is a Summarized version and regularly used for visa applications and employment.
Step 4 – Pay the Evaluation Fee
The cost of services typically falls between $100 and $300. The exact fee depends on which service you use and how quickly you want the processing time. Some agencies also offer a modern fee option for more urgent H1B or Green Card cases.
Step 5 – Receive Your Evaluation Report
After the agency processes your case, they will send you the educational credential evaluation report. This report documents your degree’s equivalency in the US. You can submit it directly to USCIS, your employer, or your attorney. This helps when meeting with them to process your visa.
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Trusted Educational Evaluation Agencies in the USA!
Here are many of the most respected agencies for foreign credential evaluation for applicants for the Green Card & H1B visa process –
- World Education Services (WES) – This is recognized by universities, employers and USCIS for rapid & accurate evaluations.
- Document Evaluation – This agency provides expert credential evaluation reports, and Expert Opinion Letter. Accepted for Green Card & H1B visa applications & also offers NAFSA-approved, credential evaluation reports.
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) – This agency is respected for thorough and transparent reports.
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF) – They specialize in immigration evaluations & professional licensing reviews.
Tips for a Smooth Evaluation Process
- Start Early – Processing times can take weeks so start before your visa or immigration deadlines.
- Check Requirements – Each employer, lawyer or immigration authority may also have specific report requirements or formats.
- Keep Copies – Make sure you keep both digital & physical copies of your original documents and of the evaluation reports.
- Use Authorized Evaluators – Reports are typically only accepted for sites designated by either NACES or AICE by USICS.
- Stay in Touch – Keep in contact with your evaluator so they can keep you informed and be able to respond quickly.
Suggested – Importance of H1B Expert Opinion Letters
Conclusion
Getting an educational evaluation for your Green Card or H1B visa is an important step toward opening up your future in the US. It ensures that USCIS, employers & universities will readily recognize your foreign academic credentials. By working with a reputable academic credential evaluation agency and documenting carefully, you can move forward smoothly & with confidence. Your education is your foundation, get it evaluated appropriately & you will be closer to the next big step toward your American dream.
Need Help with Educational Evaluation in the USA?
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