Foreign Credential Evaluation Service
6 Mar
If you have a degree, diploma, or certificate from outside the United States, you will likely need a foreign credential evaluation at some point. Whether you’re applying for a job, pursuing further education, or filing an immigration petition, a credential evaluation translates your academic achievements into terms that US employers, universities, and government agencies understand.
This guide explains everything you need to know — what a credential evaluation is, when you need one, how the process works, and how to choose the right evaluation agency.
A foreign credential evaluation is a report prepared by an independent agency that compares your education from another country to the US education system. The report states the US equivalency of your degree or diploma — for example, whether your three-year bachelor’s degree from India is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree, or whether your secondary school certificate is equivalent to a US high school diploma.
The evaluation is not a translation of your documents. It is an expert analysis that considers the institution you attended, the length and content of your program, the grading system used, and how your qualification is regarded in your home country.
There are three main situations where a credential evaluation is required or strongly recommended.
Most immigration petitions filed with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require proof that your foreign education meets certain US standards. This applies to a wide range of visa categories.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa — To qualify, you must demonstrate that you hold a degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. A credential evaluation, and in some cases an expert opinion letter, provides this proof.
EB-2 and EB-3 Employment-Based Immigration — These categories require that the beneficiary holds specific educational qualifications. A credential evaluation establishes the US equivalency of your foreign degree.
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Researcher — While the focus is on your achievements, a credential evaluation provides foundational documentation of your educational background.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) — Applicants must demonstrate an advanced degree or exceptional ability. A credential evaluation and expert opinion letter support this requirement.
O-1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability — Similar to EB-1, a credential evaluation documents your educational qualifications as part of the overall petition.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa — For L-1A (managers and executives) and L-1B (specialized knowledge workers), a credential evaluation may be required to establish qualifications.
Family-Based Immigration — In some cases, credential evaluations are submitted as supporting documentation.
Many US employers require foreign-educated candidates to provide a credential evaluation as part of the hiring process. This is especially common in regulated industries such as healthcare, engineering, accounting, and education, where specific degree requirements must be met.
Even in industries without formal licensing requirements, employers use credential evaluations to understand what level of education you have completed and whether it meets their job requirements.
If you are applying to a US college or university, the admissions office will typically require a credential evaluation to understand your prior education. For undergraduate admissions, you will need a high school diploma evaluation. For graduate programs, you will need an evaluation of your bachelor’s degree and transcripts.
A course-by-course evaluation is particularly useful for university admissions because it converts your individual subjects into US credit hours and calculates a GPA on the 4.0 scale. This helps the university determine your eligibility and award transfer credits for courses you have already completed.
Evaluation agencies typically offer several types of reports depending on your needs.
A document evaluation provides the US equivalency of your degree or diploma. It includes the name of the institution you attended, the dates of attendance, a description of your program, and the US equivalent credential. This type of evaluation is most commonly used for immigration and employment purposes where a detailed breakdown of coursework is not required.
Best for: Immigration petitions, employment verification, professional licensing (in some cases).
Typical cost: Starting around $85 per credential.
A course-by-course evaluation includes everything in a document evaluation, plus a detailed listing of each subject you completed, the US credit hour equivalent for each course, individual grade conversions, and an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. This type of evaluation resembles a US transcript.
Best for: University and college admissions, transfer credit evaluation, employment in fields where specific coursework must be demonstrated.
Typical cost: Starting around $180 per credential.
An expert opinion letter is a detailed letter written by a qualified expert that provides a professional opinion on the equivalency of your education and, in some cases, your work experience. These letters are commonly required for H-1B visa petitions to demonstrate that your qualifications meet the specialty occupation requirements, and for EB-2 NIW cases to establish exceptional ability.
Best for: H-1B visa petitions, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O-1, L-1A, and L-1B visa petitions.
If you completed your secondary education outside the United States and need to demonstrate US high school equivalency — for example, for college admissions, military enlistment, or certain employment requirements — a high school diploma evaluation provides this.
Best for: College and university admissions, military enlistment, employment.
The process is straightforward and can usually be completed entirely online.
Step 1: Submit your application. Most agencies allow you to apply online. You will provide your personal information and details about the education you want evaluated.
Step 2: Send your documents. You will need to provide copies of your degrees, diplomas, transcripts, mark sheets, or certificates. Many agencies accept scanned copies sent by email — original documents are generally not required.
Step 3: Make payment. Payment can typically be made by credit card or debit card. Some agencies also accept wire transfers and other payment methods.
Step 4: Receive your evaluation. Standard processing is typically around 5 business days. You will receive an electronic copy in PDF format, and most agencies also mail hard copies. Rush services are available if you need faster turnaround.
Not all credential evaluation agencies are the same. Here are the key factors to consider.
The most important factor is whether the evaluation will be accepted by the institution or agency you are submitting it to. For immigration purposes, USCIS does not require that evaluation agencies belong to any specific association. What matters is the accuracy, completeness, and credibility of the evaluation report itself. That said, you should always check with the receiving institution to confirm they will accept the evaluation.
If you are working against a deadline — whether it is a university application deadline, an immigration filing date, or a job start date — turnaround time is critical. Look for agencies that offer standard processing of around 5 business days with rush options available for urgent cases.
Evaluation fees vary between agencies. Compare not just the base price, but also what is included. Some agencies charge extra for hard copies, electronic delivery, or rush processing, while others include these in the standard fee. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden charges.
The evaluation process can be confusing, especially if it is your first time. Choose an agency with responsive customer support — ideally available by phone, email, and during convenient hours.
Ask how long the agency keeps your records on file. This is important because you may need additional copies of your evaluation report in the future, and you don’t want to have to resubmit all your documents again.
The specific documents depend on the type of evaluation you are requesting, but generally you will need:
For a document evaluation — copies of your degree, diploma, or certificate for each program completed.
For a course-by-course evaluation — copies of your degree plus academic transcripts or mark sheets showing individual subjects, grades, and credit hours.
For an expert opinion letter — copies of your educational documents plus, in many cases, your resume or CV and any relevant work experience documentation.
Important: Most agencies accept clear, legible scanned copies. You do not need to send original documents, and reputable agencies will advise you not to, as they cannot be held responsible for loss or damage.
If your documents are in a language other than English, you will need certified English translations. Many credential evaluation agencies offer translation services as well, which can save time and money by having everything handled in one place.
Every country has a unique education system, and credential evaluations must account for these differences. Here are a few common examples:
India — The Indian education system follows a 10+2+3 structure for most bachelor’s degrees. The question of whether a three-year Indian bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a four-year US bachelor’s degree depends on factors including the institution’s accreditation status (particularly NAAC grading), the specific program completed, and the division of graduation. Many three-year Indian degrees from well-accredited universities are evaluated as equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
Philippines — The Philippines follows a system similar to the US, with four-year bachelor’s degrees being common. Most Filipino bachelor’s degrees are evaluated as equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
Nigeria — Nigerian university degrees typically require four to five years of study. Most are evaluated as equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree, though specific equivalency depends on the institution and program.
China — Chinese bachelor’s degrees are typically four years in duration and are generally evaluated as equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
How long does a credential evaluation take? Standard processing is typically around 5 business days for an electronic copy. Rush services are available for faster delivery.
How much does a credential evaluation cost? Document evaluations typically start around $85, and course-by-course evaluations start around $180. Expert opinion letters and translation services are priced separately.
Do I need to send original documents? No. Clear, legible scanned copies are sufficient. Do not send original documents.
Is a credential evaluation the same as a translation? No. A translation converts your document from one language to English. A credential evaluation is an expert analysis that determines the US equivalency of your education. You may need both if your documents are not in English.
Can I use one evaluation for multiple purposes? In many cases, yes. However, different institutions may have different requirements. For example, a university may require a course-by-course evaluation while an employer may only need a document evaluation. Check with each receiving institution.
What if my degree is not equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree? If your education does not directly equate to a specific US degree, an evaluation agency can assess a combination of your education and work experience to establish equivalency, particularly for immigration purposes. An expert opinion letter may also be appropriate in this situation.
If you need a foreign credential evaluation, the process is simpler than you might think. You can apply online, submit scanned copies of your documents, and receive your evaluation report within days.
Evaluation World provides document evaluations, course-by-course evaluations, expert opinion letters, and certified translation services for immigration, employment, and university admissions. With responsive customer service and a standard 5-business-day turnaround, we make the process fast and straightforward.
Apply online now or contact us at admin@evaluationworld.com or call +1 (302) 504-4700.
This article was last updated in March 2026. Immigration requirements and policies can change — always verify current requirements with the relevant authorities or consult an immigration attorney for your specific case.
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