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Credential Evaluation Services: We Evaluate Foreign Degrees for U.S. Equivalency

The United States does not accept foreign academic transcripts directly. If you earned your degree outside the US — whether in India, Nigeria, China, Brazil, the Philippines, or any of the other 190+ countries whose educational systems differ from the American model — your credentials must be formally assessed by a recognised credential evaluation service before they can be used for immigration, employment, or university admissions.

Credential evaluation services are specialised organisations that analyse foreign academic qualifications and translate them into their U.S. equivalents. With approximately 195 countries each operating distinct educational systems — and only around 67 listing English as an official language — these services function as essential bridges between international qualifications and the American institutions that need to understand them.

This guide explains what credential evaluation is, when you need it, which evaluation type is right for your purpose, how the process works, what it costs, and how AAE Evaluations compares to other leading providers in 2026.

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What Is a Credential Evaluation Service?

A credential evaluation service is an independent organisation that assesses foreign academic qualifications — degrees, diplomas, transcripts, and certificates — and produces a formal report establishing their U.S. equivalency. The evaluation makes your international education comprehensible and actionable for American institutions, employers, and immigration authorities who are not familiar with your home country’s educational system.

The need for this service exists because educational systems vary profoundly across countries. Grading scales differ. Degree structures differ. Academic standards and institutional accreditation frameworks differ. A three-year bachelor’s degree is standard in many countries — but may not meet the “equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree” standard required for an H-1B visa or graduate school admission without formal evaluation. A credential evaluation service resolves this ambiguity by providing a standardised, professionally verified equivalency statement that American organisations can rely on.

What a Credential Evaluation Examines

A systematic credential evaluation assesses multiple dimensions of your academic background:

Document authenticity — verifying that your transcripts and diplomas are genuine and unaltered
Institutional accreditation — confirming that your institution is recognised by the relevant national education authority
Academic level — determining what level of U.S. qualification your foreign degree corresponds to
Degree equivalency — mapping your qualification to the U.S. degree framework (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
Course content and credit equivalency (for course-by-course evaluations) — assessing how individual subjects map to U.S. credit hours and GPA

Reputable evaluation services employ education specialists with deep expertise in specific countries’ educational systems. These specialists apply established, consistent methodologies — which is why NACES and AICE membership is the primary quality signal when choosing a provider.

Why Foreign Degree Evaluation Matters for Immigration and Employment

For USCIS and immigration: Credential evaluations provide the foundational documentation that USCIS requires for visa applications. For H-1B petitions, USCIS specifically requires a credential evaluation when the beneficiary’s highest degree was earned at a non-U.S. institution — to confirm the degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher, which is the baseline educational requirement for specialty occupation classification. Without this evaluation, USCIS will typically issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) — an avoidable complication that delays your petition and requires additional documentation. The same applies to EB-2 NIW, EB-1, and other employment-based green card categories.

For employers: American hiring managers are often unfamiliar with international institutions and degree designations. A credential evaluation translates your qualifications into a framework they recognise, removes ambiguity about your educational background, and gives both you and prospective employers confidence that you meet the stated qualifications for a position.

For professional licensing: State licensing boards in regulated professions — healthcare, engineering, accounting, education, and others — require credential evaluations before granting practice licences. These evaluations confirm that your foreign education meets the minimum standards required for professional practice in the United States.

When Do You Need a Credential Evaluation?

H-1B, Green Card, and Other Visa Applications

For H-1B visa petitions, a credential evaluation is required whenever the beneficiary’s highest degree is from a non-U.S. institution. The evaluation must confirm U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency or higher. If your degree is from abroad and you do not include a formal evaluation in your petition, USCIS will typically issue an RFE — delaying your case by months. An H-1B expert opinion letter from AAE Evaluations often accompanies this credential evaluation to also establish specialty occupation status.

For employment-based green card applications (EB-2, EB-3), USCIS officers evaluate credential reports alongside your academic records to make eligibility determinations. For EB-2 NIW petitions specifically, the credential evaluation establishes the “advanced degree” prong of eligibility, while a separate expert opinion letter addresses the three-prong Dhanasar test.

For F-1 student visas, a credential evaluation helps determine your eligibility for admission to U.S. academic programmes and establishes the appropriate academic placement level — particularly important for credit transfer and advanced standing.

For a detailed breakdown of how credential evaluations interact with each visa type, see our guide on credential evaluation for H-1B visas.

Professional Licensing and Employment

State licensing boards require credential evaluations before granting authorisation to practice in regulated professions. Common examples include:

Engineering — evaluations assessed against NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) standards
Accounting — required for CPA examination eligibility and state licensure
Healthcare — nursing, pharmacy, and allied health professions each have specific licensing body requirements
Teaching — state boards of education require credential evaluations as part of teacher certification processes

Federal government positions also require formal credential evaluations, as the U.S. State Department and federal agencies do not accept foreign educational transcripts directly.

University Admissions and Credit Transfer

U.S. colleges and universities require credential evaluations from international applicants to determine academic preparedness and credit transfer eligibility. Admissions offices use the evaluation to assess whether your institution is recognised by your country’s Ministry of Education, how your prior coursework aligns with their programmes, and how many transfer credits can be applied toward your degree. Most universities require a detailed course-by-course evaluation rather than a basic document-by-document assessment for these purposes.

Types of Credential Evaluation Services

Choosing the correct evaluation type is one of the most important decisions in this process. Ordering the wrong type means delays, wasted cost, and often having to start over.

1. Document-by-Document (Document-Based) Evaluation

A document-by-document evaluation provides an overall assessment of each credential — confirming the institution, degree type, and U.S. equivalency level — without analysing individual courses or calculating a GPA.

Best for: Employment verification, H-1B and general immigration petitions where overall degree equivalency is the primary requirement, and university admissions where credit transfer is not being requested.

Cost range: $55–$165 depending on provider and turnaround speed.

AAE Evaluations service: Academic Evaluation

2. Course-by-Course Evaluation

A course-by-course evaluation provides the most comprehensive assessment available — a subject-level breakdown of your entire academic history including U.S. credit hour equivalents for each course, grade equivalents on the 4.0 GPA scale, upper/lower division designations for undergraduate courses, and overall degree equivalency. This is the most commonly ordered evaluation type, selected by approximately 69% of credential evaluation customers.

Best for: University transfer admissions, graduate school applications, professional licensing boards (CPA, PE, nursing, teaching), and any situation requiring detailed credit and GPA equivalency.

Cost range: $139–$278 for standard processing; higher for expedited service.

AAE Evaluations service: Course-by-Course Evaluation

3. Work Experience + Education Evaluation

This specialised evaluation type combines academic credentials with professional work history, applying the USCIS “three-for-one rule”: three years of specialised, progressive work experience in a relevant field is treated as equivalent to one year of U.S. college education. The “Bachelor’s plus five” rule extends this further — a foreign bachelor’s degree plus five years of relevant professional experience equals a U.S. master’s degree.

Best for: H-1B petitions where the beneficiary’s foreign degree does not directly map to a U.S. bachelor’s degree; demonstrating master’s degree equivalency for EB-2 eligibility.

Documentation required: Detailed employment verification letters from all relevant employers, plus academic records.

AAE Evaluations service: Work Experience Evaluation

For a detailed explanation of how the three-for-one rule works in H-1B petitions, see our guide on work experience evaluation for H-1B visas.

4. Foreign Diploma and High School Certificate Evaluation

Designed for secondary education credentials — GCSEs, A-Levels, Baccalauréat, Abitur, and equivalent qualifications from other national systems. These evaluations help students seeking undergraduate admission establish their secondary education credentials in U.S. terms, and are available in both document-by-document and course-by-course formats. For students with UK A-Levels specifically, see our dedicated guide on the GCE A-Level equivalent in the USA.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Foreign Degree Evaluated

Step 1: Identify Your Evaluation Purpose and Choose the Right Type

Before contacting any evaluation agency, be clear on why you need the evaluation and who will receive it. Your purpose determines your evaluation type — and ordering the wrong type means starting over.

Immigration (H-1B, EB-2 NIW, EB-1, green card): Usually document-by-document unless the petition specifically requires course-level detail
University admission with credit transfer: Course-by-course
Professional licensing (CPA, PE, nursing, teaching): Course-by-course in most cases — confirm with the specific licensing board
Employment verification only: Document-by-document

If you are unsure, contact AAE Evaluations before ordering. Choosing the wrong type wastes time and money.

Step 2: Select a NACES or AICE Member Agency

The U.S. Department of State recognises evaluations from NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators) member organisations. Most U.S. universities, employers, and government agencies require evaluations from these accredited bodies. The U.S. Department of Education does not formally regulate the credential evaluation industry — making NACES or AICE membership the primary quality gate.

Confirm your specific target institution accepts your chosen agency before ordering. Some universities or licensing boards specify particular providers by name. For a detailed comparison of major providers, see our WES vs AAE Evaluations guide and our guide on how to choose credential evaluation services.

Step 3: Gather and Submit Required Documents

Most credential evaluations require:

Official degree certificate or diploma — showing your awarded qualification and graduation date
Official academic transcripts — listing all courses completed and grades received
Government-issued photo ID — a current passport is standard
Certified English translations — required for all documents not issued in English

Documents must typically meet specific authenticity standards: institutional letterhead, official ink stamps or raised seals, and authorised signatures. Many agencies require official transcripts to arrive in sealed envelopes directly from your institution, or via verified electronic delivery platforms such as Digitary Core, MyCreds, or Parchment. Check your specific provider’s country-by-country requirements before submitting — requirements vary significantly.

Avoid common submission errors: do not add PINs or expiry dates to electronic documents, do not send personal login credentials to evaluation agencies, and do not submit photocopies in place of official documents. For a complete document preparation checklist, see our step-by-step international evaluation guide.

Step 4: Track the Evaluation Process

Once submitted, your documents pass through four stages:

Document imaging — documents are digitised and entered into the evaluation system
Authentication review — validity, institutional recognition, and format are verified
Secondary verification — direct confirmation with your issuing institution, where required
Comparative analysis — your credentials are assessed against U.S. degree standards by country specialists

Monitor your application status through your agency’s online portal. If additional documents are requested, respond promptly — most agencies give you 60 days before the application expires and requires full resubmission.

Step 5: Receive and Deploy Your Report

Your evaluation report is delivered electronically (and physically, if requested) to you and to any designated recipients — universities, licensing boards, or USCIS. The report can be used for multiple purposes simultaneously — admissions, employment, licensing, and immigration filings. Additional certified copies for different recipients can be ordered within the report’s validity window.

Required Documents and Submission Guidelines

Transcripts and Diplomas

Official documents must be issued directly by your educational institution in sealed envelopes with the institution’s name and an official stamp or seal across the envelope flap — or transmitted via a verified electronic platform. Most agencies do not accept photocopies or applicant-submitted scans. Original physical documents are typically returned after evaluation.

Certified English Translations

All non-English documents require certified, word-for-word translations. These must be completed by a professional translator affiliated with a university, certified translation agency, or professional translation service — not by the applicant. Every translation must include:

A certified statement of accuracy
The translator’s full name, credentials, and contact information
The date of translation
Specification of both source and target languages

Some agencies additionally require notarisation of translations. Request two sets of sealed original documents from your institution — one for the evaluation and one to be opened for translation purposes.

Digital Submission Methods

Electronic document submission is now widely available and eliminates postal delays. The three primary digital channels are:

Online platforms — Digitary Core, MyCreds, OpenCerts, or Parchment
Secure direct transmission — SFTP or API between institutional systems
Email with verification — accepted by some agencies for specific document types

Always include your evaluation agency reference number when submitting digital documents to ensure they are correctly associated with your application.

Cost, Turnaround Time, and Validity in 2026

Current Pricing Range

Evaluation Type	Typical Market Range	AAE Evaluations
Document-by-document	$55–$182	Competitive — see pricing
Course-by-course	$139–$278	Competitive — see pricing
Work experience + education	$150–$350+	See pricing
Rush / expedited (additional)	$50–$200+	24-hr and 48-hr options

For a detailed breakdown of hidden fees common across the industry — including delivery charges, additional copies, and translation costs — see our post on 5 hidden fees in credential evaluation services.

Turnaround Times by Provider

Provider	Standard Processing	Expedited Options
AAE Evaluations	3–10 business days	24-hour and 48-hour available
WES	7+ days (often 17–28 days total)	Limited rush options
ECE	3–5 business days (up to 10 currently)	5-day guaranteed (+$80)
IEE	3 business days standard	Rush ($50), Special ($100), Same-day ($200)
SpanTran	10 business days	Rush available

For time-sensitive immigration filings or admissions deadlines, AAE Evaluations’ 24-hour and 48-hour options provide the fastest NACES-member service currently available.

How Long Credential Evaluations Remain Valid

AAE Evaluations credential evaluations do not expire. Your earned credentials do not change over time, and our evaluation reports reflect a permanent equivalency determination. Most other providers maintain different validity policies — ECE reports remain valid for five years from issuance; Educational Perspectives keeps files active for six months with reactivation available for up to one year.

That said, receiving institutions set their own policies on how long they will accept an evaluation report. For USCIS and immigration purposes, a validity window of 2–3 years is generally recommended — but always confirm with the specific agency before submitting. For a complete overview of validity considerations, see our international evaluation guide.

Comparing the Best Credential Evaluation Services in 2026

AAE Evaluations

AAE Evaluations is a NACES-member credential evaluation service that has processed over 150,000 cases across 43+ nationalities. Our primary advantages are speed, immigration specialisation, and pricing transparency.

Turnaround: 3–10 business days standard; 24-hour and 48-hour expedited options
Pricing: Competitive across all evaluation types — see current pricing
Specialisation: Deep expertise in H-1B, EB-2 NIW, EB-1, O-1, and L-1 immigration documentation; STEM field evaluations
Full documentation stack: Credential evaluations, expert opinion letters, work experience evaluations, and course-by-course evaluations available as a coordinated single engagement
Report validity: Does not expire

World Education Services (WES)

WES is North America’s largest credential evaluation service — a NACES founding member with over 50 years of operation, processing 200,000+ certificates annually. WES evaluations are accepted by 2,500+ institutions and employers across North America.

Turnaround: 7+ business days standard; real-world total process often 17–28 days
Pricing: $182 (document-by-document), $233–$278 (course-by-course)
Strengths: Broadest institutional name recognition; largest educational institution database (48,000+)
Limitation: No immigration-specific expert opinion letters; slower processing

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

ECE is a well-regarded NACES member with over 45 years of experience, strong general acceptance across U.S. and Canadian institutions, and a course-by-course evaluation that is their most popular service (69% of customers).

Turnaround: 3–5 business days standard (up to 10 currently); 5-day guaranteed for +$80
Pricing: $100–$275 depending on evaluation type
Strengths: Strong reputation, particularly for academic admissions

For a detailed head-to-head comparison of WES and AAE Evaluations specifically, see our comprehensive WES vs AAE Evaluations guide.

Which Provider Should You Choose?

Your selection should be guided by three questions:

Does your target institution or agency accept this provider? — Confirm before ordering
What is your deadline? — If speed is critical, AAE Evaluations’ 24/48-hour options are unmatched among NACES members
Do you need immigration-specific expert opinion letters alongside the evaluation? — Only AAE Evaluations provides both credential evaluations and the full suite of immigration expert letters under one roof

How AAE Evaluations Supports Your Full Immigration Documentation Needs

One of AAE Evaluations’ most significant practical advantages is that we provide the complete documentation stack for employment-based immigration petitions — not just credential evaluations in isolation.

For most immigration petitions, a credential evaluation alone is not sufficient. You also need:

An expert opinion letter establishing specialty occupation status (H-1B) or addressing Dhanasar criteria (EB-2 NIW)
Potentially a work experience evaluation if you are relying on the three-for-one rule
For extraordinary ability petitions, EB-1 expert opinion letters or O-1 advisory letters

AAE Evaluations coordinates all of these documents as a single engagement — ensuring consistency across every document in your petition package and eliminating the coordination complexity of working with multiple providers. For more on what each immigration visa requires beyond a credential evaluation, see our guides on USCIS expert opinion letter requirements in 2026 and expert opinion letters for EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O-1, H-1B, and L-1 visas.

Contact AAE Evaluations to discuss your specific situation, or view our full service and pricing information to plan your evaluation.

Conclusion

Credential evaluation is not optional if you are pursuing immigration, employment, professional licensing, or university admission in the United States with a foreign degree. It is the foundational documentation that bridges your international qualifications and the American institutions that need to understand them.

The key decisions are straightforward once you know what to look for:

Choose a NACES or AICE member — and confirm your target institution accepts them before ordering
Select the right evaluation type — document-by-document for general immigration and employment; course-by-course for credit transfer, graduate admissions, and licensing boards; work experience evaluation if you are relying on the three-for-one rule
Start early — standard processing takes 3–15 business days; factor in document collection from your institution and any translation requirements
For immigration petitions, plan for a full documentation stack — credential evaluations and expert opinion letters serve different evidentiary purposes and are both typically required

AAE Evaluations provides all of these services as a coordinated offering — fast, accurate, NACES-member credential evaluations alongside the full range of immigration expert letters. Start your evaluation today or explore our complete service offerings.

Credential Evaluation Services Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I get my foreign degree evaluated for use in the United States?

Choose a NACES or AICE member credential evaluation agency — confirm your target institution accepts them first — and submit your official academic documents including transcripts, degree certificates, and certified English translations if required. The evaluation service analyses your credentials and produces a report stating their U.S. equivalency. For full step-by-step guidance, see our international evaluation guide. AAE Evaluations offers 24-hour and 48-hour processing for urgent needs.

Q2. How much does a credential evaluation cost in 2026?

Document-by-document evaluations typically range from $55 to $182 and course-by-course evaluations from $139 to $278, depending on the provider and processing speed. Expedited options add $50–$200+ to the base cost. Always calculate total cost including delivery, additional copies, and translation fees. AAE Evaluations’ all-inclusive pricing is available on our pricing page. For a guide to extra charges to watch for, see our post on hidden fees in credential evaluation services.

Q3. When do I need a credential evaluation?

You need a credential evaluation when: applying for a U.S. work visa or green card (H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, O-1, L-1) where your degree is from a non-U.S. institution; applying to a U.S. university as an international student; seeking transfer credit recognition; applying for professional licensure in a regulated field (engineering, nursing, accounting, teaching); or applying for federal employment where the State Department does not accept foreign transcripts directly.

Q4. How long does the credential evaluation process take?

Standard processing ranges from 3 to 15 business days after all required documents are received, depending on the provider and evaluation type. AAE Evaluations completes most evaluations in 3–10 business days with 48-hour and 24-hour expedited options for urgent filings. WES typically takes 7+ business days with a real-world total process often running 17–28 days. Peak seasons (December–January and July–August) add 5–10 days across most providers.

Q5. Are foreign degrees valid in the United States?

Yes — foreign degrees are generally recognised in the United States, but their equivalency to U.S. degree levels must be formally established through a credential evaluation. Without this evaluation, U.S. institutions, employers, and USCIS have no standardised basis for assessing your qualifications. A credential evaluation does not change your degree — it documents what it is worth in the U.S. framework. For immigration purposes specifically, the evaluation must come from a credible, independent source such as a NACES or AICE member.

Q6. Do I need both a credential evaluation and an expert opinion letter for my H-1B or EB-2 NIW petition?

In most employment-based immigration cases, yes — both are required and serve different evidentiary purposes. A credential evaluation establishes that your foreign degree is equivalent to the required U.S. degree level (typically a bachelor’s or master’s). An expert opinion letter addresses visa-specific criteria — for H-1B, it establishes that the position qualifies as a specialty occupation and that you meet the educational requirements; for EB-2 NIW, it addresses the three Dhanasar prongs. AAE Evaluations provides both services and coordinates them as a single engagement for consistency. See our full guide on USCIS expert opinion letter requirements in 2026.

Q7. How long does a credential evaluation report remain valid?

AAE Evaluations credential evaluation reports do not expire — your earned credentials do not change, and our equivalency determination is permanent. Most other providers maintain validity windows: ECE reports are valid for five years; some others for shorter periods. Receiving institutions set their own policies independently — for USCIS filings, a 2–3 year window is generally recommended. Always confirm validity requirements with your specific receiving institution or agency before submitting. For more on report validity and reuse across multiple purposes, see our international evaluation guide.