Credential evaluation is the evaluation of foreign academic degrees, diplomas, and transcripts to establish their equivalency to US education standards. It is often required for US immigration, employment, university admission, and professional licensing purposes.
In US immigration applications, USCIS uses credential evaluations to establish even if the applicant has the minimum education requirements for visa categories such as H-1B, EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, O-1, & F-1.
A well-structured credential evaluation can avoid delays, RFEs, and technical denials!
This guide will outline what credential evaluation is, who requires credential evaluation, the types of credential evaluation reports, and how credential evaluation affects US visa & green card approvals!
What is Credential Evaluation?
Credential evaluation helps U.S. universities, employers, licensing authorities, and government agencies understand the value and comparability of foreign education for education, employment, immigration, and licensing decisions.
Why Credential Evaluation is Important?
Credential evaluations are crucial in helping American authorities and institutions determine how much a foreign credential is valued. They also verify whether or not the academic qualifications meet the required US standard for education, employment, immigration, and licensing. If a credential evaluation has not been performed correctly, the application can have delays, be rejected, or require additional investigation.
Who Needs Credential Evaluation?
- Foreign-educated individuals applying for a US work visa
- International students who are applying to US colleges/universities
- Individuals applying for a Green Card (USPermanent Residency)
- Individuals seeking Professional Licensing in the US.
- Employers who plan to sponsor foreign workers
Credential Evaluation for Immigration Purposes!
Commonly Used Visa types that Require Evaluation:
- EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
- EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
- EB-3 Skilled Worker / Professional
- H-1B Specialty Occupation
- O-1 Visa, and L-1 Visa (Supporting Documentation)
Credential Evaluation for H-1B Visa!
The Credential Evaluation serves multiple purposes –
- To evaluate if the foreign credential can be equal to that of a US Bachelor’s Degree or higher equivalency.
- To evaluate whether or not the foreign credential matches the specialty occupation.
- To evaluate if the combination of education & work experience may be sufficient to establish equivalency to qualify for an H1-B visa.
Credential Evaluation for EB-2 & EB-3 Green Card!
Credential evaluations are an integral part of obtaining an Employment-based Green Card for both EB-2 & EB-3 Green Cards
Such evaluations help USCIS assess whether the applicant meets U.S. education and experience standards, including:
EB-2 Green Card
To verify either:
- The US equivalency of the Master’s degree
- The US equivalency of the Bachelor’s degree along with at least five years of progressive experience related to your degree.
EB-3 Green Card
To confirm:
- The US equivalency of a professional degree.
- The US education and training requirements for Skilled Workers.
A clear, well documented credential evaluation enables USCIS to determine if an applicant meets eligibility criteria and to reduce Request for Evidence (RFE) requests.
For professionals seeking permanent residence through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), credential evaluations play a key role in establishing advanced degree equivalency.
Credential Evaluation for EB-1 & O-1 Petitions!
Credential evaluations support the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) by providing:
- Providing information to USCIS on the educational level of the recipient.
- Demonstrates that the applicant has expertise in the applicant’s field of endeavor.
- Establishes that the applicant meets the requirement of ‘Extraordinary Ability’, and has provided sustained accomplishments.
Applicants pursuing the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability green card often rely on credential evaluations to support claims of sustained national or international recognition.
Credential Evaluation for F-1 Student Visa!
The evaluation helps the universities as follows:
- Determine whether the applicant meets admission requirements.
- Determine if prerequisite courses have been successfully completed.
- Convert the applicant’s grades into the equivalent grade system of the US & determine the GPA
- Evaluate any credit transfers through a previous institution.
Credential Evaluation for Education, Employment & Licensing!
Education – Used by US colleges & universities to evaluate the US equivalency of foreign education for admissions & transfer credits. It helps in coursework evaluation, grade conversion, & academic eligibility.
Employment – Used by US employers to evaluate foreign degrees & education requirements for employment. It also assists in employment-based visa sponsorship and internal HR compliance.
Professional Licensing – Necessary by US licensing boards to evaluate foreign education for professional standards. It assists in degree equivalency & required coursework evaluation. Licensing evaluations are common in licensed professions such as engineering, teaching, & more.
What are the USCIS Expectations from Credential Evaluations?
In order to conform to USCIS standards, you need to include the following as part of your Credential evaluation:
- US equivalent of the Degree
- Provide references to the Credentialing agencies
- Explain how you arrived at your results
- Who is the person doing the evaluation and their credentials
- Length of education and Level of Education
- If applicable, provide an Experience based equivalent
If you submit a Generic evaluation to USCIS, it may result in a Request for Additional Evidence (RFE).
Why Universities Require Evaluations?
Colleges & universities need an evaluation of an applicant’s academic credentials to ensure:
- Admitted candidates satisfy the minimum requirements for admission
- The coursework they have completed is equivalent to coursework completed at a US institution of higher education
- Credits completed from non-US educational institutions can be transferred to US colleges or universities
- The calculation of grade point averages or GPAs is accurate
- When an applicant provides a list of his or her coursework, the institution requires the evaluation be done on a course-by-course basis.
Credential Evaluation vs Academic Evaluation (Comparison)!!
| Aspect | Credential Evaluation | Academic Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Education Equivalency | Coursework analysis |
| Use | Immigration, employment, licensing | University admission |
| Detail Level | Summary or detailed | Highly Detailed |
| Experience Inclusion | Possible | Rare |
| USCIS Acceptance | Yes | Limited |
In practice, many agencies use the terms interchangeably, but purpose determines the report type.
To understand how foreign degrees are formally compared with U.S. education standards, explore our Academic Credential Evaluation Service, which explains degree equivalency methods accepted by USCIS, universities, and employers.
Types of Credential Evaluation Reports!!
Document-by-Document Evaluations
Include the following:
- Provides degree level equivalent, the Institution status of recognition, graduation date, program length
- Documented proof for immigration (petitions), Employment verifications, USCIS petitions.
Course-by-Course Evaluations
Include the following:
- Individual course titles/US semester credit equivalents/grade conversion
- Documented evidence of university admissions, transferrable credits, Licensing Boards
Education and Work Experience Evaluations
Include the following:
- Evaluations of candidates whose degree was earned in a timeframe shorter than what would be expected in the US, where work experience supplemented an education
- H-1B visa and EB-3 cases
Procedure Used in Credential Evaluation!
The Credential Evaluator uses the following methodology to evaluate educational credentials:
- National education frameworks
- Accreditation Bodies
- Status of the institution
- The structure of the curriculum
- Length of the program
- Admission Requirements
The Credential Evaluator references the following:
- Government Education Ministries
- International Education Databases
- US Equivalency Standards
These sources provide defensible and trustworthy conclusions.
Documents Required for Credential Evaluation!
Common documents include:
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Provisional certificates
- Official translations
- Employment letters (for experience-based cases)
Incomplete documentation is a major cause of delays.
Processing Time and Cost for Credential Evaluation!
| Services | Economy | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 5-7 Days | 3-4 Days | 1-3 Days |
| Academic Equivalency Evaluation | $119 | $179 | $299 |
| Course by Course Evaluation | $419 | $519 | $619 |
| Academic and Experience based Equivalency Evaluation | $449 | $499 | $549 |
What are Country-Specific Considerations?
Countries have different educational organisation structures that Evaluators look at including:
- Degree Hierarchies
- Credit System Structures
- Authorities for Recognition of Credentials
- Program Intensity
Educators need country-specific expertise to provide the most accurate credential evaluation report.
What are the Common Credential Evaluation Mistakes?
- Selecting an inappropriate credential evaluation type
- Using an unapproved credential evaluation service
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Relying on credential evaluations for immigration
- Failing to align credential evaluations with visa requirements
These types of errors typically result in RFEs or denials.
Reasons Credential Evaluations Get Rejected!
A Credential Evaluation can easily be rejected or questioned for many reasons which are notable as below:
- Use of a Non-Credible or Unqualified Evaluator
- Incorrect Degree-to-Degree Equivalent Conclusion
- Lack of Methodology or Explanation
- Institutional Recognition Missing
- Evaluation Does Not Meet Visa Requirements
In Immigration Cases, the USCIS Will Look for Clarity, Credibility, and Compliance.
How to Avoid Credential Evaluation RFEs?
To minimize the risk of receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) related to an educational credential evaluation, you should:
- Utilize evaluations that are specifically designed for each visa class.
- Clearly state the evaluators’ qualifications.
- Include sources that are known and accepted in the industry as credible educational reference materials.
- Make sure that the degree equivalency is consistent with the USCIS criteria.
- Do not use evaluations that are generic or created using templates.
- A properly crafted evaluation will address USCIS’s concerns before they have a chance to arise.
If USCIS questions the credibility or methodology of a credential evaluation, a properly structured RFE Response Service can help address concerns and reduce the risk of denial.
Role of Expert Opinion Letters in Credential Evaluation!
Expert opinion letters are an important part of credential evaluation because they:
- Provide the Professional Context for Academic Qualifications
- Provide Field-Specific Interpretation of Educational Qualifications and Professional Experience
- Validate the Expert Credentials of the Evaluator as an Independent Third Party
In addition, expert opinion letters can enhance the credibility of the credential evaluation and provide evidence to overcome potential challenges, particularly in the H-1B, EB-2 NIW, EB-1A and O-1 contexts.
In complex immigration cases, a professionally drafted Expert Opinion Letter adds legal and academic credibility to credential evaluations, particularly for H-1B, EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, and O-1 petitions.
Myths & Misconceptions About Credential Evaluation!
Common Misunderstandings Regarding Credential Evaluation Include:
- USCIS Will Only Accept Evaluations from WES.
- Any Agency That Provides an Evaluation Will Be Sufficient for Immigration Purposes.
- The Evaluation of Credentials Guarantees A Visa Approval.
A Foreign Credential Has The Same Value as A Degree Obtained in The United States. USCIS reviews both the content of the credibility of the Evaluation provided.
How Credential Evaluation Impacts Visa Approval?
Credential evaluation directly impacts the visa results by assisting with:
- Establishing legal eligibility.
- Supporting claims of specialty occupations.
- Validating the individual’s professional qualifications.
- Creating overall credibility for the petition
The stronger the evaluation, the less likely it will result in a Request For Evidence (RFE) and slower processing times, and better chances of approval however, a weak evaluation can risk an otherwise strong case.
Role of Credential Evaluation in the Long-Term US Plans!
The ongoing role of credential evaluation supporting an individual’s long-term US plan is:
- For green card applications
- Career advancement
- Opportunity for higher education
- Professional licensing
- Employer sponsorship
In Closing!
Credential evaluation is a basic aspect of immigration, education, and employment in the United States. With an accurate and compliant evaluation, your foreign education can be explained properly, represented to employers accurately, and be legally supported
As a broad area of credential evaluation, there are many specialized subjects within this area which require the skills and knowledge of professionals who know how to conduct these evaluations accurately, consistently, and appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Yes, credential evaluation is compulsory for employment based visas and green cards, including H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, EB-1, & O-1 visas.
USCIS does not issue credential evaluations but accepts credential evaluations issued by skilled & separate credential evaluators for foreign education equivalency.
Most USCIS cases need document-by-document credential evaluation. In some cases, education and work experience evaluation may also be used.
Yes, credential evaluation is much needed for H-1B visa petitions to show that a foreign degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree in a specialty occupation.
Yes, credential evaluation is necessary to verify even if the applicant qualifies in terms of education for EB-2 (advanced degree or equivalent) or EB-3 (professional/skilled worker) visas.
Credential evaluation is not necessary for EB-1 or O-1 visas, but it is sometimes used as additional evidence to verify academic credentials and professional experience.