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
President-elect Donald Trump has outlined a comprehensive approach to immigration reform, addressing both border security and domestic enforcement. His proposed plan includes actions aimed at reshaping how the United States manages immigration, including physical border defenses and policies affecting both undocumented individuals and visa holders within the country. Here’s an in-depth look at the key
Read MoreOn September 25, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced significant updates to its Policy Manual regarding the “sought to acquire” requirement under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). These changes, outlined in Volume 7, Part A, Chapter 7 of the Policy Manual, address the process of calculating a CSPA applicant’s age, particularly for
Read MoreIf you’re considering applying for an EB-3 visa, you may be wondering whether your family members can come along with you. In this blog, we’ll address this important question and provide you with all the details you need to know about bringing your loved ones with you to the United States. Who Qualifies
Read MoreAppeals Court Hears Arguments Over DACA’s Future: Biden Administration vs. Texas A federal appeals court is deliberating the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a policy protecting over 535,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The Biden administration and DACA recipients are fighting to keep the program intact,
Read More