Does a 5-year bachelor of engineering count as an advanced degree for EB-2 NIW?

There is no automatic answer. Under EB-2 NIW, whether a foreign degree qualifies as an advanced degree depends on an equivalency analysis, not simply on the length of the program. A bachelor’s degree in engineering earned abroad may be recognized as comparable to an advanced degree by U.S. standards, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authority.

In practice, this equivalency is typically assessed through an educational credential evaluation, conducted by specialized evaluators. They review the full scope of your academic background to determine how it compares to degrees granted in the United States, considering factors such as:

• The content and curricular structure of the program.
• The academic institution and its recognition.
• The academic workload and nature of the course of study as a whole.

Rather than assuming your credentials do or do not qualify, the prudent path is to obtain a credential evaluation and confirm how your degree is read in the context of EB-2 NIW. It is worth checking the current requirements with USCIS and working with a specialist to prepare this documentation.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.