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!
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”).
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. |
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 (Bachelor’s, Master’s Explained)
| 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. |
Tip – Combine 3 year Indian bachelor’s + master’s to meet H-1B bachelor requirement.
Bangladesh to U.S. Degree Equivalency Guide (Bachelor’s, Master’s Explained)
| 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: Bachelor’s, HND, and Master’s Comparison
| 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: Nursing, Engineering & Bachelor’s Guide
| 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): Bachelor’s & Master’s Match
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 |
Common Bologna aligned countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden & Denmark
UK to U.S. Degree Equivalency: Bachelor’s with Honors & Master’s Compared
| 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: Bachelor’s & Master’s Alignment
| Canadian Degree | US Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 4 year Bachelor | US Bachelor’s |
| Master’s | US Master’s |
Canada has very close academic alignment with the US
Australia to U.S. Degree Equivalency: Bachelor’s & Master’s Explained
| 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.
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.
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 |
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.
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!
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.