USCIS Credential Evaluation Requirements Explained

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not publish a single mandated format for education evaluations, but officers routinely expect certain things. An evaluation that explains the foreign education system, confirms the authenticity and recognition of the institution, and states the U.S. equivalent gives an officer a defensible basis to approve the petition.

• ✓ A clear statement of the U.S. equivalent of your credential.
• ✓ An explanation of the foreign country’s educational system.
• ✓ Verification that the institution is recognized in its home country.
• ✓ A course-by-course analysis where useful, including credits and GPA.
• ✓ A narrative of the education obtained and its relevance to the occupation.
• ✓ Certification: signed, stamped and dated by the evaluator.

Officers discount evaluations that rely on unverified materials. IAECES verifies documents by collecting your original uploads and, for diplomas, a short video verification of the original document. Evaluators review authenticity and completeness, and will follow up if anything cannot be verified.

For H-1B and similar categories, USCIS may combine your education with relevant work experience to meet the degree requirement. We evaluate your academic credentials; USCIS then applies the combination under its own guidance. Your evaluation should therefore describe your studies precisely, so the officer can weigh the educational component accurately.

Every non-English document needs a certified translation. IAECES provides certified translations by ATA-member translators at a flat rate per page, integrated into your evaluation so there is no separate paperwork to manage.