To apply for an EB-2 NIW visa, one must satisfy the strict USCIS education and degree equivalency requirements. Simply having professional accomplishments, especially with a foreign degree, may not be sufficient. A proper Academic Evaluation EB2 NIW helps USCIS clearly determine that your education meets the EB-2 requirements in the United States.
This is where the role of academic evaluation services becomes significant. A valid evaluation will determine the degree equivalency in the United States, qualify you for an advanced degree, & structure your credentials in a manner acceptable to USCIS. It can also minimize the chances of an RFE.
What Is Academic Evaluation for EB-2 NIW Visa?
Academic Evaluation EB-2 NIW is a formal review of your foreign education to assess its equivalency to US academic standards. USCIS relies on this review to ensure that you qualify for EB-2 on the basis of your advanced degree or exceptional ability. It also helps to ensure that your degrees, coursework, & credentials are properly documented in a format acceptable to USCIS.
What are EB-2 NIW Education Requirements?
There are two primary recognizable pathways that USCIS supports –
Advanced Degree Requirement for EB-2 NIW
Under this pathway, applicants have to prove the ownership of an advanced degree that qualifies as per the USCIS standards –
- A US master’s degree or higher
- A foreign degree equivalent to a US master’s degree
Bachelor’s Degree + 5 Years Experience Route
For those candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree, they can still qualify the set standards under this pathway. USCIS requires:
- A US bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent
- 5 years of progressive, post-degree professional experience
There are a few important considerations that have to be kept in mind in this case.
- The experience must be progressive with an increasing responsibility in the domain.
- Only those work experiences that are gained after completing the Bachelor’s will be considered.
- The employment letter should clearly mention the roles, salary and adhere to proper timelines.
Common Academic Evaluation RFEs in EB-2 NIW Cases!
These are issues USCIS officers frequently flag during review:
| RFE Trigger | Why USCIS Issues an RFE |
|---|---|
| Vague U.S. degree equivalency | The academic evaluation fails to clearly assert whether the foreign degree equals a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree |
| Evaluator lacks proper credentials | USCIS questions the credibility or authority of the evaluator who is doing the academic evaluation |
| Insufficient coursework analysis | The evaluation fails to explain credit hours, course rigor, or academic structure under U.S. standards |
| Bachelor’s + 5 years experience not properly documented | Employment letters do not clearly show five years of progressive post-degree experience and have confusing or inconsistent timelines |
| Mismatch between degree and proposed endeavor | USCIS cannot find a logical connection between the applicant’s education and the EB-2 NIW proposed work that promises to benefit the States in the long run |
How Academic Evaluation Strengthens an EB-2 NIW Petition?
Degree equivalency is just one aspect of the many benefits that academic evaluation EB-2 NIW has. It strengthens the legal backbone of the filing & helps USCIS officers assess eligibility of the candidate.
Key ways an academic evaluation strengthens an EB-2 NIW petition:
- Successfully establishes US degree equivalency for foreign degrees – Confirms that foreign education meets USCIS requirements for an advanced degree.
- Supports EB-2 eligibility upfront – Clearly satisfies the set standards of education requirement before the aspect of national interest is evaluated.
- Reduces education-related RFEs – Addresses common USCIS concerns about coursework, credit hours & degree level.
- Adds credibility to the petition – Evaluations prepared by qualified & independent experts carry more weight & credibility with USCIS officers.
Clarifies academic rigor and specialization – Explains how coursework aligns with the applicant’s proposed endeavor.
Academic Evaluation vs Expert Opinion Letter for EB-2 NIW!
Both Academic Evaluation and Expert Opinion Letter serve a substantial purpose in the filing of the EB-2 NIW visa, but their roles are different from each other.
| Parameters | Academic Evaluation | Expert Opinion Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Confirms the U.S. degree equivalency and EB-2 education eligibility as per the legitimate terms and conditions | Establishes national importance and future impact of the proposed endeavor |
| Addresses which USCIS requirement | EB-2 advanced degree or equivalency requirement | Dhanasar three-prong test for NIW |
| Focus | Education, coursework, academic rigor | Proposed endeavor, national benefit, & applicant’s expertise |
| Prepared by | Credential evaluation experts or academic evaluators | Independent subject-matter experts who have proven credibility in the mentioned domain |
When Do You Need Academic Evaluation for EB-2 NIW?
An academic evaluation EB-2 NIW is required especially to draw a parallel of a foreign degree with US standards needed. Knowing when it’s necessary can help you avoid delays and education-related RFEs.
You typically need academic evaluation services if:
- You have a foreign degree
- You are applying under the advanced degree requirement
- You are applying in the pathway of the Bachelor’s + 5 years experience route
- Your transcripts or coursework structure are not very clear and aligned to your application
- You want to reduce the risk of an RFE
Academic Evaluation for EB-2 NIW RFE & NOID Cases!
An RFE(Request for Evidence) is a notice issued by USCIS officials when they see a lack of information to support the filing. It does not mean denial. Instead, it shows that the case is not complete & needs further consideration.
A NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) has to be taken more seriously than an RFE. USCIS issues a NOID when the officer believes the petition does not meet eligibility requirements based on the evidence submitted. The notice justifies the intent for denial & permits the applicant to come back with a stronger or corrective documentation within a specified limited timeframe.
EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluation Process (Step-by-Step)!
Mentioned below are the following texts that one must go through the process of Academic Evaluation for EB-2 NIW :
- Collect official academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- Submit these documents to a well recognised and qualified academic evaluation service.
- Evaluator reviews coursework, credit hours, and program structure.
- US degree equivalency is determined under USCIS standards.
- A report is prepared based on the evaluation comprising detailed academic analysis.
- Final evaluation is included as supporting evidence in the EB-2 NIW petition.
Such a structured approach will help the applicants prevent the hope of denials or RFEs & further delays in the process.
Processing Time & Cost for EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluation!
| Services | Economy | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 to 7 Days | 3 to 4 Days | 1 to 3 Days | |
| Academic Equivalency Evaluation | $119 | $179 | $229 |
| Course by Course Evaluation | $419 | $519 | $619 |
| Academic and Experience Based Equivalency Evaluation | $449 | $499 | $549 |
Mistakes to Avoid in EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluations!
| Mistake | Why does it trigger an RFE/Denial? | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using a Non-NACES Evaluator | USCIS evidently gives priority to evaluations from members of NACES or AICE. Reports from unrecognized agencies are often not heeded. | Only use NACES-approved agencies to ensure your credential evaluation is acceptable. |
| Ignoring the "5-Year" Rule | For those with a Bachelor's, the 5 years of experience must be post-baccalaureate and progressive and relevant with consistent timelines. | Ensure the evaluator clearly confirms your work was "progressive" & started after your degree was presented. |
| Generic Equivalency | A simple Master's degree is often not sufficient for NIW. A greater detail of the technical concepts is appreciated. | Request a Course-by-Course Evaluation that highlights specialized STEM or research-heavy coursework. |
| Inconsistency with the I-140 | If your evaluation says "Master's in Chemistry" but your I-140 says "Chemical Engineering," it creates a red flag. Avoid misleading & confusing texts. | Audit all forms (ETA 9089, I-140) to ensure the degree title & field match the evaluation report exactly. |
How to Choose the Right Academic Evaluation Agency for EB-2 NIW ?
Selecting an academic evaluation agency for EB-2 NIW is not the same as for college admissions. USCIS has very strict legal guidelines, & therefore, the credibility of the evaluation agency is of highest importance.
The agency should be a member of either NACES or AICE. These bodies have strict standards of evaluation, which are accepted by USCIS. The evaluation agency with experience in expert opinion letters & work experience evaluations is of prime importance for those applying under the bachelor’s degree & 5 years of experience option.
Having the right evaluation agencies & university professors on your side will ensure that your educational background is well-suited for EB-2 NIW & Matter of Dhanasar.
In Conclusion!
An academic evaluation is found to be one of the most important parts to satisfy the educational requirements for filing an EB-2 NIW case, especially for individuals with foreign degrees. It helps the USCIS understand & recognize the differences between international education & education within the United States through an evaluation process.
In addition to helping establish degree equivalency, a properly prepared Academic Evaluation EB2 NIW not only strengthens the overall petition but also improves the chances of approval in an environment where EB-2 NIW adjudications face increased scrutiny.
Get Your EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluation Prepared by Document Evaluation!
Don’t Leave Your Green Card Chance!
An RFE could possibly put your EB-2 NIW visa approval process on hold for months or years. In the current, highly examined USCIS atmosphere, the term “normal” review will not pass. Your package will definitely require an expertise-guided plan that connects your foreign experience to domestic standards.
Ready to get your academic evaluation done the right way? Contact us at Document Evaluation today for fast, exact, & USCIS-flexible academic evaluation services you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Academic evaluation is required but not stated mandatory although, if your degree was earned outside the United States.
If you hold a U.S. degree, an academic evaluation may not be necessary. However, applicants with foreign degrees are strictly advised to use professional and legitimate academic evaluation services to avoid education-related RFEs.
Yes. A clear and well-prepared academic evaluation helps USCIS officers quickly verify eligibility.
The evaluation should be prepared by a qualified credential evaluator, preferably from a NACES or AICE member agency, using USCIS-accepted methodology.
Yes. In RFE or NOID cases, an updated or stronger academic evaluation can clarify education credentials and help address USCIS concerns before a final decision is made.
