US degree evaluation: how work experience counts

USCIS does not read a foreign diploma on its own terms: it needs a translation into the American system. That is what an evaluation does, and it often decides whether you meet the degree requirement.

When you need an evaluation

The USCIS rules for a work visa name several ways to prove education: an evaluation by a specialised service, an opinion from a university with a programme for granting credit for experience, results of recognised exams and professional certification.

The 3-for-1 rule

If the degree falls short, the rules at 8 CFR 214.2(h) let you make it up with experience. Each missing year of study takes three years of relevant work or specialised training.

Not every kind of experience counts. It must include the theory and practice of the profession, work alongside degree-holding colleagues and recognition of your expertise.

A bachelor's and 5 years' experience

A master's equivalent needs a bachelor's and at least five years of experience in the specialty. For the EB-2 category the rules at 8 CFR 204.5(k) require the experience to be progressive, with growing responsibility. This opens the way to the EB-2 NIW for people without a master's.

Which documents to prepare

Usually you need the diploma with its transcript and grades, and for an experience evaluation, employer letters with duties and dates. The exact list is set by the service doing the evaluation.

For USCIS, documents in a foreign language are filed with a full English translation and the translator's signed statement that it is complete and accurate. An evaluation of the diploma alone, or of the diploma together with experience, can be ordered separately: education evaluation and education and experience evaluation.