A Foreign Degree to US Degree Equivalency evaluation is probably needed if you studied abroad & plan to work, study or apply for a visa (H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, F-1 etc).
This guide provides a clear country-by-country breakdown, common issues, evaluation agencies, required documents, advice & an EXPLANATION of how degrees from other countries compared to those from the United States!
Understanding how foreign degrees are evaluated in the U.S. immigration system requires knowledge of the credential evaluation process.
| International Degree (Country-Wise) | US Equivalency of Foreign Degree |
|---|---|
| India 3-Year Bachelor’s (BA, BSc, BCom) | Evaluated as 3 years of US undergraduate study. (Note: Expert evaluation of work experience is often required for H-1B compliance). |
| India 4-Year Bachelor’s (BTech, BE) | ✅ Equivalent to a US Bachelor’s Degree |
| Pakistan 2 to 3-Year Bachelor’s Degree | Evaluated as 2-3 years of undergraduate study. Typically needs a combined Master's or professional experience evaluation. |
| Bangladesh 4-Year Foreign Bachelor Degree | ✅ Equivalent to a US Bachelor’s Degree |
| UK & Europe 3-Year Bachelor's (Honors / Bologna Process) | ✅ Typically evaluated as a US Bachelor’s Degree equivalent. |
| Canada 4-Year Bachelor's / Master's | ✅ Direct US Bachelor’s or Master's Equivalent |
| Global Master’s Degree (MA, MSc, MBA) | 🎓 Usually Equivalent to a US Master’s (depending on the specific foreign equivalents standard). |
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What Is Foreign Degree to US Degree Equivalency
Foreign Degree to US Degree Equivalency is the process of comparing your international education to the US academic system. Credential evaluation agencies reviews the academic transcripts, degree certificates, course credits, duration of study, certification of the institution & coursework content
They then provide a report declaring what your degree equals in the US (eg “Equivalent to a US Bachelor’s degree”).
Degree Equivalency USA - What Does It Mean?
Degree equivalency in the US consists of evaluating the degree received from another country depending on the quality of learning, accomplishing the similar goal & earning a comparable degree from a US school.
The process to define equivalency helps confirm that foreign credentials meet or exceed the standards established & generally used in the USA, thereby supporting their acceptance into the US education system & job market.
Why Do You Need a Foreign Degree to US Degree Equivalency?
| Purpose | Why Equivalency is needed |
|---|---|
| H-1B Visa | To prove the job applicant meets the Bachelor’s degree or higher requirement. |
| Green Card (EB-2/EB-3) | USCIS demands evidence of US degree equivalence. |
| University Admissions | To compare international qualifications to US academic standards. |
| Professional Licensing | Some fields (Engineering, Teaching, Accounting, Healthcare) require an equivalency report. |
| Employment | Employers verify that foreign degrees meet US education expectations. |
Why is Foreign Certificate Evaluation Important?
- Educational Advancement - Foreign education evaluations are performed by a certified educational evaluator with experience in evaluating international student education. This evaluation will help educational institutions in the USA make an informed decision when considering a foreign national for admission into their program or course of study.
- Employment Opportunities - Employers in the USA will often require verification that a foreign national's degree is equivalent to a United States degree. To ensure that candidates possess qualifications that meet industry standards, employers must obtain verification from a certified foreign education evaluator.
- Professional Licensure - Many professions, including engineering, teaching & healthcare, require licensure in order to perform certain jobs legally. To verify that the foreign education obtained meets US licensing requirements, an evaluation of the applicant's foreign credentials may be required.
Country-by-Country US Degree Equivalency Guide!
Below is a simplified country-wise tables to make foreign degree to US degree equivalivalency easy to understand.
(Note – Actual equivalency may differ based on institution, grades, program structure & evaluator.)
🇮🇳 India to U.S. Degree Equivalency Guide
| Indian Degree | Typical US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| 3 year Bachelor’s (BA/BSc/BCom) | May equal 3 years of US undergraduate study (not always a full bachelor’s). |
| 4 year Bachelor’s (BTech/BE) | US Bachelor’s degree equivalent. |
| Master’s (MA/MSc/MCom) | Often equivalent to US Bachelor’s + 1 year or Master’s, relying on university. |
| MBA | Usually the US MBA equivalent, especially from authorized universities. |
🇵🇰 Pakistan to U.S. Degree Equivalency Guide
| Pakistani Degree | US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| 2 year Bachelor’s (BA/BSc/BCom) | Equivalent to 2 years of US undergraduate study (US Associate's Degree). |
| 4 year Bachelor’s (BS/BEng/BTech) | US Bachelor’s degree equivalent. |
| Master’s (after 2-year Bachelor’s) | Usually equivalent to a US Bachelor’s degree. |
| Master’s (after 4-year Bachelor’s) | Equivalent to a US Master’s degree. |
🇧🇩 Bangladesh to U.S. Degree Equivalency Guide
| Bangladeshi Degree | US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| 3 year Bachelor | Usually 3 years of US undergraduate study. |
| 4 year Bachelor (Engineering, Business, Science) | Equivalent to US Bachelor’s. |
| Master’s | Usually US Bachelor’s + some graduate study. |
🇳🇬 Nigeria to U.S. Degree Equivalency
| Nigerian Degree | US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (4 years) | Usually US Bachelor’s. |
| HND | Examined below US Bachelor’s. |
| Master’s | Usually equivalent to a US Master’s. |
🇵🇭 Philippines to U.S. Degree Equivalency
| Philippines Degree | US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| 4 year Bachelor’s | Equivalent to US Bachelor’s. |
| Professional courses (Nursing or Engineering) | Generally US Bachelor’s + professional training. |
🇪🇺 Europe to U.S. Degree Equivalency (Bologna System)
Many European countries follow the Bologna Process to make equivalency easier.
| Degree | US Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 3 year Bachelor (BA/BSc) | Normally US Bachelor’s. |
| 2 year Master | US Master’s. |
🇬🇧 UK to U.S. Degree Equivalency
| UK Degree | US Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s with Honors | Sometimes lower than US Bachelor’s. |
| Master’s (Learned or Research) | US Master’s. |
🇨🇦 Canada to U.S. Degree Equivalency Guide
| Canadian Degree | US Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 4 year Bachelor | US Bachelor’s. |
| Master’s | US Master’s. |
🇦🇺 Australia to U.S. Degree Equivalency
| Australian Degree | US Equivalency |
|---|---|
| Bachelor (3 to 4 Years) | US Bachelor's. |
| Master’s | US Master's. |
How Credential Evaluation Works?
1. Submit documents
- Degree certificate
- Transcripts
- Mark sheets
- English translations
- Passport or IDs
2. Evaluation agency reviews
They verify –
- Certification
- Course content
- Degree duration
- Semester credits
- GPA
3. You receive an evaluation report
This is used for USCIS, schools, employers or licensing boards.
Note: Degree equivalency focuses on education level comparison, while GPA conversion is a separate academic process. You can learn more about how to convert international GPA to US GPA here.
The Process of Foreign Certificate Evaluation!
The process involves several key steps:
- Choosing a Credential Evaluation Service - Make sure that you choose a credential evaluation service that is reputable and has recognition from universities and employers in the US be sure to pick an evaluator who is a member of NACES or AICE.
- Submitting Documents - Transcripts, diplomas, and certificates are required. If you have any of these documents not in English, make sure you have them translated into English.
- Evaluation and Report - You will select an evaluation service to evaluate your credentials and provide you with a detailed report on the US equivalent of your foreign credentials. The report will also provide US. equivalent of your foreign credentials, the educational level of your foreign education, the field of study of your education & US degree equivalency.
Top USCIS Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies!
| Agency | Best For |
|---|---|
| WES (World Education Services) | Students, immigration, jobs |
| ECE | Academic admissions |
| Document Evaluation llc | Expert evaluations & professor evaluations |
Tip – For H-1B, PERM or I-140 choose an agency that provides expert or professor evaluations.
How to Choose Right Evaluation Services?
When you choose a foreign certificate evaluation service, think about the following:
- Reputation & Accreditation - Make sure the service has a good reputation and is accredited by groups such as NACES or AICE.
- Turnaround Time - If you need your evaluation completed quickly, there are certain services that will give you an expedited evaluation. For example, Document Evaluation can give you your evaluation report through an expedited service within 24 hours.
- Comprehensive Reporting - The evaluation report must be comprehensive enough to be accepted by most US institutions.
Common Problems in Degree Equivalency & How to Solve Them!
| Issue | Why it happens | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 3 year bachelor not accepted | US need 4 years | Add Master’s or use expert evaluation |
| Institution not authorized` | Some foreign colleges are not recognized | Choose NAAC/NIRF accredited universities |
| Missing transcripts | Many applicants do not have complete records | Contact university registrar early |
| Wrong evaluator used | Not all are accepted by USCIS | Use USCIS experienced evaluators |
| Low grades/GPA | Courses may not meet standards | Involve experience based evaluation when possible |
| RFE (Request for Evidence) | USCIS may require additional proof or find incomplete information | Submit expert evaluation, provide complete documentation & respond within deadline |
| Documents not in English | US institutions and USCIS require English documentation | Use certified translation services before submission to avoid delays |
Tips to Ensure Smooth US Degree Equivalency!
Tip 1 – Choose the Right Evaluation Type
- Course-by-course – for universities
- Document-by-document – for jobs
- Expert evaluation – for H-1B & I-140
Tip 2 – Provide Complete Transcripts
Missing even one semester can delay your evaluation.
Tip 3 – Add Work Experience (for USCIS)
If your degree falls short, evaluators can combine your Education + Work Experience = US Bachelor’s degree
Tip 4 – Check Accreditation of Your University
Approved institutions acquire smoother equivalency.
Tip 5 – Translate Documents Professionally
USCIS needs certified translations.
How Document Evaluation LLC Handles US Degree Equivalency Evaluations
Our streamlined evaluation process is designed to be efficient and hassle-free, ensuring you receive your evaluation report in a timely manner. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how we handle your evaluation:
Step 1: Application Submission
Begin by submitting an application through our website. Please provide the necessary details about your educational background and the type of evaluation you require.
Step 2: Document Submission
Next, submit your educational documents, including transcripts, diplomas, and certificates. We accept documents in various languages and provide translation services if needed.
Step 3: Document Review
Our team of experts will review your documents meticulously. We verify the authenticity of your credentials and gather information about the educational institution you attended.
Step 4: Evaluation
Using our extensive knowledge and resources, we evaluate your foreign degree or credential. We compare your education to the U.S. system and determine its equivalent value.
Step 5: Report Generation
Once the evaluation is complete, we generate a detailed report outlining the U.S. equivalent of your foreign degree or credential. This report includes a breakdown of your educational achievements and their comparison to U.S. standards.
Step 6: Delivery
Finally, we deliver the evaluation report to you. You can choose to receive a digital copy, a printed copy, or both, depending on your preference.
Why Choose Document Evaluation LLC for Foreign Degree Evaluation in the USA?
In a competitive market, we strive to provide the best foreign degree evaluation in the USA. Here’s what makes us the preferred choice for many:
Timeliness
We understand the importance of time, especially when it comes to job applications, admissions deadlines, and immigration processes. Our efficient evaluation process ensures you receive your report promptly.
Accuracy
Accuracy is paramount in credential evaluation. Our rigorous review process and expert knowledge ensure that your evaluation report is precise and reliable.
Customer Support
Our dedicated customer support team is always available to assist you. Whether you have questions about the evaluation process or need help with your application, we are here to provide support every step of the way.
Affordable Pricing
We provide high-quality services at affordable prices. Our transparent pricing structure ensures you know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees.
In Conclusion!
Modifying a foreign degree into a US equivalent is very important for visas, jobs, university admissions & professional licenses. With the right evaluator, complete documents & country specific understanding, the process becomes smooth & expected.
Need Help With Your US Degree Equivalency?
If you want a smooth, accurate & attorney SUGGESTED evaluation, our team at Document Evaluation is ready to guide you 24×7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions!
Yes. For visas like H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, USCIS requires proof that a foreign degree is equivalent to a US degree through a recognized credential evaluation.
Yes but usually only in meeting with a master's degree or professional experience as fixed by an expert. The 4 year bachelor's degree needed by USCIS is commonly not met by a stand alone 3 year degree.
Your degree certificate, transcripts/mark sheets, course descriptions , English translations & other documents like your passport are usually needed.
Even if WES evaluations are usually accepted they are not always the best option for H-1B or I-140 because they do not provide expert or experience based evaluations.
Fast or same day evaluations are available at an extra cost but most agencies take 5 to 10 business days. Evaluations by USCIS experts might take a little longer.
Yes, Evaluators are approved by USCIS to combine 1 year of academic study with 3 years of special work experience. When candidates miss a complete 4 year degree this is helpful.
Select either document-by-document evaluation for H-1B, PERM or I-140.
- Expert Opinion Evaluation (if education and work experience are combined).
- The majority of course-by-course reports are intended for academic institutions.
No, equivalency emphasizes duration, credits, accreditation & program structure. Except when applying to competitive universities, GPA is rarely a deciding factor.
