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Understanding how a foreign degree compares to a U.S. degree is one of the most important steps for anyone pursuing immigration, higher education, or professional opportunities in the United States. The U.S. relies on strict credential evaluation standards to ensure that foreign academic qualifications align with American degree structures, rigor, and accreditation. However, because every country follows its own educational system, determining equivalency can be confusing without professional guidance. Document Evaluation’s comprehensive country-by-country equivalency guide was created to help applicants navigate this process with confidence and clarity.
Foreign degree equivalency plays a crucial role in several major pathways, including H-1B visa petitions, EB-2 National Interest Waiver filings, professional licensing, and university admissions. When foreign graduates submit applications to U.S. employers, immigration authorities, or colleges, they are required to provide proof that their academic background is comparable to a U.S. degree. This verification helps USCIS officers, academic institutions, and credential reviewers determine whether applicants meet the necessary requirements for their intended purpose. Without an accurate equivalency assessment, an application can face delays, requests for evidence (RFEs), or even denials.
Each country structures its education system differently, which is why a standardized, country-specific equivalency evaluation is essential. For example, some countries award three-year bachelor’s degrees, while the U.S. typically requires four years. Others emphasize professional diplomas or technical qualifications that may translate differently when compared to American degree frameworks. Similarly, Master’s and doctoral programs vary widely across regions. A country-by-country comparison helps applicants understand how their degree aligns with U.S. academic expectations and what additional documentation may be required.
The guide provided by Document Evaluation breaks down these differences in an accessible way, allowing readers to understand how their educational background is likely to be interpreted by U.S. evaluators. Whether your degree comes from India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Mexico, China, Europe, or the Middle East, the guide explains how evaluators determine equivalency using factors such as credit hours, accreditation standards, course content, academic level, and program rigor. This structured approach helps applicants anticipate what type of U.S. degree their foreign education will be considered equivalent to.
For immigration purposes—especially H-1B, EB-2, and EB-3 visa petitions—degree equivalency is a critical requirement. USCIS often requests expert evaluations to verify that an applicant’s foreign education meets the minimum degree requirement for a specialty occupation or advanced degree professional category. If an applicant’s documentation is unclear or incomplete, USCIS may issue an RFE. A clear understanding of degree equivalency helps applicants prepare the correct documentation the first time, reducing delays and improving approval chances. Document Evaluation’s guide also highlights how professional experience may be used in certain cases to satisfy academic requirements, a nuanced factor that immigration applicants often overlook.
In addition to immigration needs, degree equivalency evaluations are widely required in the fields of healthcare, engineering, accounting, information technology, and academia. Licensing boards and employers must confirm that an applicant’s foreign qualifications are sufficient for U.S. professional standards. The guide provides insights into how various industries interpret foreign degrees and what type of evaluation reports may be needed—such as course-by-course evaluations, document-by-document reviews, or detailed expert opinion letters.
One of the strengths of Document Evaluation’s guide is its focus on simplifying a complicated process. Many applicants feel overwhelmed when gathering transcripts, diplomas, course lists, and institutional accreditation information. The guide outlines what documents are commonly required, how to verify authenticity, and how evaluators use these materials to determine equivalency. It also explains common mistakes applicants make, such as submitting unofficial documents or assuming that degree titles alone are sufficient proof of equivalency.
Document Evaluation has earned a reputation for providing professional, accurate, and reliable assessments that are accepted by universities, employers, and USCIS. The guide reflects the same level of detail and integrity. Its goal is to help applicants avoid confusion, save time, and take an informed approach when preparing for immigration
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