How can you demonstrate that the costs of an academic evaluation reflect the quality of the analysis?

In the EB-2 NIW, what matters in an Academic Evaluation is its content and the credibility of the evaluator, not how much you paid for it. The USCIS does not use the cost of a service as a measure of quality.

For that reason, treating price as evidence of quality is a risky approach. A more expensive service is not, in itself, more reliable, and a less expensive one is not necessarily worse. What makes a difference is the substance of the analysis.

To choose wisely, look at factors such as:

• The reputation and recognition of the credential evaluation agency.
• The methodology used and the consistency of the analysis of your documents.
• The clarity of the report in demonstrating the equivalence of your credentials to United States standards.

If you need to justify expenses in a response to an RFE, document them transparently, but without treating the cost as a visa criterion. When in doubt, it is worth checking the USCIS updated guidance and working with a qualified specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.