foreign degree credential evaluation for h-1b visa: is it mandatory?
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
![Page 2: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
A U.S. Bachelor’s degree
or its equivalent in their specialty.
![Page 3: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
The regulations allow you to have the
equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree.
![Page 4: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
1. A 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited or
recognized foreign university or college will
generally be considered equivalent to a U.S.
bachelor’s degree.
NOTE: If you have less than a 4-year degree, U.S.
immigration allows you to ‘combine’ your degrees
if you have multiple degrees.
![Page 5: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
2. Regulations also allow you to
or in some cases use work experience only,
to meet the equivalency requirement.
NOTE: For H1B purposes, 3 years of progressive
work experience in the field will be considered the
equivalent of one year of U.S. university study.
![Page 6: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
VisaPro has developed a FREE Visa Eligibility tool.
![Page 7: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
![Page 8: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
A ‘Credential Evaluation’ for an H1B visa is the procedure that seeks to determine the equivalency of foreign
degrees and/or experience with education in the U.S.
![Page 9: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Since H1B visa requires that applicants have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, USCIS must have evidence that your
foreign degree is ‘equivalent’ to a particular U.S. degree.
A Credential Evaluation establishes whether or not your foreign degree is ‘equivalent’ to a particular U.S. degree.
![Page 10: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Harry, a British national is seeking a job in the US as an
electrical engineer. He completed an apprenticeship as an
electrician 18 years ago. The apprenticeship was extensive
with approximately 2 years of classroom work together
with on-the-job training. The classroom work covered the
theory and physics of electricity as well as the technical
aspects of the job.
1
![Page 11: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
With Harry’s apprenticeship and 18 years of progressive
experience leading to his current job in South Africa as an
electrical engineer, education credential evaluators and the
USCIS found that
.
He got his H1B petition approved and is happily
working in the US.
1
![Page 12: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
The equivalency to a united states bachelor’s or
advanced degree can be determined by one or more of
the following 5 methods.
![Page 13: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
1
An assessment from an official university employee who has
the power to grant college-level credit for training and/or
experience in the specialty at a recognized college or
university which has a program for granting such credit
based on an individual's training and/or work experience.
![Page 14: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
The recognized college-level equivalency examination
results or special credit programs, such as the Program on
Non collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI); or College
Level Examination Program (CLEP).
2
![Page 15: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
An assessment of education by a trustworthy
credential evaluation service that specializes in
assessing foreign education evaluation for H1B.
3
![Page 16: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Proof of certification or registration from a nationally
accredited professional association or society for the
specialty that is well-known to grant certification or
registration to people in the occupational specialty that
have attained a certain level of proficiency in the specialty.
4
![Page 17: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
A determination by the USCIS that the degree required by
the specialty occupation is equivalent and has been
acquired through a combination of education, focused
training, and/or work experience in areas related to the
specialty and that the foreign national has achieved
recognition of proficiency in the specialty occupation as a
result of such experience and training.
5
![Page 18: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Michael graduated from what he thought was a well-known university in Sweden with a degree in computer
science. He was seeking a job in the IT industry in the US as a software engineer. He did not want to spend the money on an evaluation and did not believe that he
needed a credential evaluation because his degree was in computer science (and everybody knows what that is) and
it was from a ‘reputable’ university.
2
![Page 19: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Unfortunately for Michael, the USCIS officer reviewing his case disagreed and asked for a credential evaluation in a
Request for Evidence.
When Michael sought out the credential evaluation, he found out that his degree program was not ‘accredited’ by
his own country’ education system and would not be deemed equivalent to a U.S. degree.
2
![Page 20: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Michael’s employer had to withdraw the H1B petition.
2
![Page 21: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
VisaPro attorneys have handled complex foreign credential
evaluations for H1B visas involving degrees
from around the world.
We can assist you with procuring the most suitable evidence
by and the
![Page 22: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
which Credential Evaluation works best for you
with VisaPro’s FREE H1B Filing Consultation at:
![Page 23: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
About VisaPro
VisaPro was established in October 2002 with a dream to
provide exceptional U.S. immigration legal services at
reasonable costs to companies and individuals around the globe
and today we are proud to say that we have succeeded.
VisaPro offers services in the following areas:
Investor and Entrepreneur Advisory Services
Work Visas: E-3, H-1B, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O, P-1, P-3, TN
Investor Visas: E-1, E-2, EB-5
Green Cards
Employer Immigration Compliance
![Page 24: Foreign Degree Credential Evaluation For H-1B Visa: Is It Mandatory?](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042818/55af6ace1a28abed308b4635/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Washington, DC
1050 17th Street NWSuite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
New York
520 White Plains Road Suite 500
Tarrytown, NY 10591
1100 S Hope St.Suite 103
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Los Angeles
Contact Us
“I have had the pleasure of working with the staff at VisaPro. Their knowledge, professionalism
and overall pleasantness made my job much easier. They assisted me every step of the way in
applying for an H1B Visa, I could not imagine getting through this process without them. I would
highly recommend VisaPro to anyone applying for a Visa. I would most definitely use VisaPro
again”
Beverly Brawer,
United States Luggage Company LLC