How to Evaluate Foreign Degrees for U.S. Employment and Education

If you’re an international student or professional aiming to study or work in the United States, one of the most important steps in your journey is to evaluate your foreign degree. Whether you’re applying for a university program, a visa, or a job, credential evaluation helps U.S. institutions and employers understand your academic background in terms of U.S. educational standards.

In this article, we’ll guide you through what foreign degree evaluation is, how it works, when you need it, and how to choose the right service.

What Is Foreign Degree Evaluation?

Foreign degree evaluation is the process of assessing your academic qualifications—such as diplomas, transcripts, and degrees—from a non-U.S. institution and determining their equivalence in the U.S. education system.

This process is typically done by a credential evaluation agency. They analyze the curriculum, credit hours, grades, and educational structure of your home country and translate them into the U.S. academic framework.

Why You Need to Evaluate a Foreign Degree

Whether you’re applying for a student visa, employment, or immigration, evaluating your foreign degree is often mandatory. Here’s where it’s needed:

1. For U.S. University Admissions

Most universities in the U.S. require international applicants to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation to understand what level of education you’ve completed and how it compares to U.S. standards.

2. For Employment Opportunities

Employers, especially those hiring under work visa categories (like H1B), often require academic credential evaluations to confirm that your degree meets U.S. job qualification requirements.

3. For Professional Licensing

If you’re entering regulated fields like engineering, medicine, teaching, or accounting, professional boards in the U.S. require academic evaluation USA to verify if your qualifications meet their licensure requirements.

4. For Immigration & Green Card Petitions

Immigration attorneys often request a credential evaluation as supporting documentation for green card categories like EB-2, EB-3, and others. It’s especially common when filing petitions that involve advanced degrees or exceptional ability.

Types of Credential Evaluations

There are three main types of academic evaluations. Understanding the difference is key to choosing the right one:

1. Academic Evaluation

• Provides a general equivalency of each diploma or certificate.
• Best for employment or immigration purposes where detailed subject-by-subject analysis isn’t required.

2. Course-by-Course Evaluation

• Breaks down each subject, credit hours, and grade.
• Required by most universities and professional boards.
• Helps in credit transfer for further education in the U.S.

3. Work Experience Evaluation

• Combines academic credentials and verified professional experience.
• Frequently used for H1B visa petitions.

What Documents Are Needed?

To evaluate your foreign degree, you typically need the following:

• Degree or diploma certificate (original and/or copy)
• Mark sheets or transcripts of all semesters/years
• English translations if documents are not in English
• Copy of passport or identity proof
• Resume or CV (for work experience evaluations)

How the Evaluation Process Works

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get your degree evaluated in the U.S.:

Step 1: Choose a Recognized Credential Evaluation Agency

Look for a company that is a member of trusted associations like NAFSA, and TAICEP. One such reliable agency is Document Evaluation, which specializes in helping students and professionals with credential assessments.

Step 2: Submit Your Documents

You’ll be required to upload or send your academic documents along with an application form. Some agencies also offer rush processing.

Step 3: Evaluation and Review

Qualified credential evaluators analyze your documents. They use country-specific education databases and grading systems to determine the U.S. equivalent.

Step 4: Receive Your Evaluation Report

You will receive a formal report that details your degree equivalency, GPA conversion, and credit hours. This can be sent to universities, employers, or immigration attorneys.

How to Choose the Right Credential Evaluation Agency

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a provider for academic evaluation USA:

• Reputation & Accreditation
  Make sure the agency is affiliated with recognized professional bodies.
• Fast Processing Times
  Choose agencies that offer flexible timelines (standard and rush delivery options).
• Customization Options
  Some providers offer specialized evaluations for immigration, licensure, or H1B petitions.
• Customer Support
  Look for agencies that offer clear communication, guidance, and post-delivery support.
• Digital & Hard Copy Reports
  Ensure they provide secure digital and/or physical delivery options for your reports.

Pro Tip: Don’t DIY Your Degree Evaluation

Avoid using informal or free online tools to convert your degree or GPA. These may not reflect official standards and are not accepted by universities or government agencies. Always rely on professional agencies for accurate and recognized credential evaluation reports.

Why Trust Document Evaluation?

Document Evaluation is a trusted agency based in Phoenix, Arizona, helping thousands of international applicants with:

• Credential evaluations for USA jobs and universities
• Expert opinion letters for RFE (Request for Evidence) responses
• Academic and course-by-course evaluations
• Work experience evaluations for H1B and EB visa petitions

The agency is affiliated with NAFSA and TAICEP, ensuring your evaluation is accepted by top institutions and immigration bodies.

Whether you’re aiming for higher education, a promising job, or a better future in the U.S., the first step is to evaluate your foreign degree. It builds credibility, aligns your qualifications with U.S. standards, and clears a critical hurdle in your application process.

Instead of taking risks with unclear or unverified agencies, go with a professional credential evaluation service like Document Evaluation—your trusted partner for a smooth academic and immigration journey.

Ready to evaluate your foreign degree?
👉 Get started with Document Evaluation