May 24
A common question is, “Do I need an education evaluation to qualify for an H-1B visa?”
H-1B visa occupations are professional-level jobs that require a U.S. bachelor’s degree, the equivalent or higher. Applicants with a foreign degree must prove it is equivalent to a specific U.S. degree by completing a Foreign Credential Evaluation, commonly called an H-1B education evaluation.
The Foreign Credential Evaluation contains the education credentials, field(s) of study, and the higher education institution description. The report includes the evaluator’s opinion on whether the foreign degree is the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
If the H1B visa applicant does not have a degree, they may utilize the 3-for-1 rule, which counts every three years of work experience as one year of academic study in a related field.
8 C.F.R. §214.2 (h)(4)(iii)(D)(5), the 3-for-1 rule, states: “For purposes of determining equivalency to a baccalaureate degree in the specialty, three years of specialized training and/or work experience must be demonstrated for each year of college-level training the alien lacks.”
To prove work experience equivalency, the H-1B applicant must complete a Foreign Credential Evaluation from a specially qualified evaluator (typically a person associated with a college or university.) The evaluation will include the H-1B applicant’s job titles, industry, and duties of previous employment. Any higher education coursework that the applicant enrolled in is also part of the evaluation, including the school’s name and location, the classes, and the study duration.
The Credential Evaluation report must also include a degree equivalency statement consisting of the evaluator’s name, title and organization, the name of the evaluation agency and the applicant’s equivalent degree.
For example:
Dr. Albert Einstein of Princeton University, on behalf of Relativity Evaluation Services, found Mr. Smith’s BS Degree in Horticulture from Oxford University in England to be equivalent to a four-year degree in Horticulture at an institution of Higher Education in the United States.
Recent Immigration Articles
Check out these articles below
A recent report by Michael Sainato from The Guardian highlights how President Trump’s latest immigration rules are creating serious issues for both workers and businesses in the United States. Published on July 29, 2025, the article shows the real-world effects of cutting work visas and permits, affecting many people’s daily lives and the overall economy.
Read MoreIncreased Public SupportAmerican public opinion toward immigration has grown more positive than it’s been in decades. A new Gallup poll shows 79% of Americans view immigration as a “good thing,” the highest share in 25 years. This shift in sentiment comes even as political leaders debate stricter policies, indicating a broad public appetite for legal
Read MoreInternational students applying for or renewing a J-1 exchange visa in 2025 should be aware of several important changes introduced this year. Below is a concise guide focusing only on 2025 developments, including a brief pause in visa interview scheduling, new social-media screening rules, and special prioritization for J-1 physician applicants. Follow this guidance to
Read MorePast Trump Administration Efforts (2018–2020) During his first term, President Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of ending birthright citizenship – the constitutional guarantee under the 14th Amendment that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen. In October 2018, Trump said he intended to issue an executive order to redefine or restrict birthright
Read More