Overview
Foreign credential evaluation is the process of assessing degrees, diplomas, and academic credits earned outside the United States and determining their U.S. equivalency. This is performed by specialized third-party evaluation agencies. In immigration applications, a credential evaluation report serves to demonstrate that the applicant holds the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher — a fundamental requirement for visa categories such as H-1B, EB-2/EB-3, and NIW. USCIS generally recognizes evaluation reports issued by members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). For Chinese credentials, evaluation agencies typically require degree verification through CDGDC (now managed by CSSD/CHESICC through the 学信网 platform). Evaluations are generally available as a basic assessment (Document-by-Document) or a detailed assessment (Course-by-Course); a document-by-document evaluation is usually sufficient for immigration purposes.
When You Need a Credential Evaluation
- H-1B work visa — to demonstrate that the applicant holds the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher
- EB-2 employment-based immigration — to establish a U.S. master's degree equivalent or bachelor's degree plus 5 years of progressive experience
- EB-3 employment-based immigration — to establish a U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent
- NIW (National Interest Waiver) — to demonstrate an advanced degree or exceptional ability
- EB-1B Outstanding Professor/Researcher — to establish academic background
- TN visa — to demonstrate that the applicant meets education requirements for a specific profession (Canadian/Mexican citizens)
- Professional licensing applications (e.g., PE engineering license, CPA) often require credential evaluations
- Holders of three-year degrees (e.g., Chinese three-year diplomas, Indian three-year bachelor's degrees) need evaluation to determine U.S. four-year bachelor's equivalency
Application Process
Select an Evaluation Agency
Choose a NACES or AICE member organization. Leading agencies include: WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), FIS (Foundation for International Services), IERF (International Education Research Foundation), and Josef Silny & Associates. WES is the most commonly used agency for immigration applications.
Obtain Degree Verification (Chinese Credentials)
Chinese degrees must be verified through CSSD/CHESICC (formerly CDGDC) via the 学信网 platform (www.chsi.com.cn). Apply for both the degree verification report and academic credential verification report, then authorize delivery to the evaluation agency. This is a prerequisite for Chinese credential evaluation.
Prepare and Submit Documents
Typically required documents include: copies of degree certificates, transcripts, degree verification reports (for Chinese credentials), and a copy of the passport identity page. All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified translations. Submit the application and payment through the agency's online portal.
Agency Review and Analysis
The evaluation agency verifies document authenticity, analyzes the educational system and curriculum, and maps the foreign credential to the U.S. educational framework to determine the equivalent degree level.
Receive the Evaluation Report
Upon completion, the agency issues a formal evaluation report stating the U.S. equivalency of the foreign credential (e.g., "equivalent to a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States"). Reports may be delivered by mail or electronically.
Timeline Reference
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| China Degree Verification (CSSD) | 15–20 business days |
| Document Mailing and Receipt | 1–2 weeks |
| WES Standard Evaluation | 7 business days after receipt |
| WES Rush Evaluation | 3 business days after receipt |
| ECE Standard Evaluation | 10–12 business days after receipt |
| Total (Including Verification) | 4–8 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credential evaluation agencies does USCIS accept?
USCIS does not maintain an official "approved" list of evaluation agencies, but in practice, reports from NACES and AICE member organizations are most widely accepted. NACES members include: WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), IERF (International Education Research Foundation), FIS (Foundation for International Services), Josef Silny & Associates, SpanTran, Global Credential Evaluators, Academic Evaluation Services, and A2Z Evaluations, among others. WES is the most commonly used agency for immigration applications. It is advisable to use an agency recommended by your attorney to ensure the report is accepted by USCIS.
What is a Chinese four-year bachelor's degree equivalent to in the U.S.?
A Chinese four-year bachelor's degree (学士学位) is typically evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree. A Chinese three-year college diploma (大专) usually does not equate to a U.S. bachelor's degree and may need to be supplemented with work experience to meet requirements (e.g., under the H-1B "3 years of work experience equals 1 year of education" rule). A Chinese master's degree is generally equivalent to a U.S. master's degree. Chinese five-year undergraduate programs (e.g., medicine, architecture) may be evaluated as a bachelor's or master's degree depending on curriculum content.
How much does a credential evaluation cost?
WES charges approximately $160 for a Document-by-Document evaluation and $205 for a Course-by-Course evaluation. ECE charges approximately $135 for a basic evaluation and $195 for a detailed evaluation. Rush services typically cost an additional $50–$80. Additionally, Chinese degree verification through CSSD/学信网 costs approximately RMB 300. Total costs are generally in the range of $200–$400 (including verification and shipping).
Do I need a Course-by-Course or Document-by-Document evaluation for immigration?
Most immigration applications (H-1B, EB-2, EB-3) require only a Document-by-Document evaluation confirming the foreign credential's U.S. degree equivalency. A Course-by-Course evaluation analyzes individual courses and is generally used for academic admissions, professional licensing, or when demonstrating that specific coursework aligns with a specialty occupation. If an H-1B petition involves degree-occupation match issues (e.g., the applicant's degree field is not perfectly aligned with the job duties), a Course-by-Course evaluation may be more helpful.
Has CDGDC stopped handling degree verification? Where should I go now?
Yes. Chinese degree verification services have been transferred from CDGDC (China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center) to CSSD (formerly CHESICC/学信网). All academic credential and degree verifications are now unified on the 学信网 platform (www.chsi.com.cn). Applicants need to register an account on 学信网, apply for online verification reports for both academic credentials and degrees, and then authorize delivery to the evaluation agency (e.g., WES).
What if my credential is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree?
If a foreign credential does not directly equate to a U.S. bachelor's degree (e.g., a three-year diploma), several options are available: (1) USCIS allows work experience to substitute for education — typically, three years of progressive professional experience equates to one year of university education; (2) complete additional coursework in the U.S. or online to earn equivalent credits; (3) apply for visa categories that do not require a specific degree (e.g., O-1 or EB-1A, which are based on ability rather than academic credentials). Consult with an attorney to determine the best strategy.
Related Services
Keywords
Need Foreign Credential Evaluation Services?
Book a free consultation and let us create a personalized plan for you.