How to document an academic credential evaluation in your EB-2 NIW case?

It helps to recalibrate the focus: in an EB-2 NIW case, the cost of an academic credential evaluation is not something USCIS weighs. What can strengthen your case is the evaluation itself, when it translates degrees earned outside the U.S. into the American academic standard.

A credential evaluation is most useful for demonstrating that your educational background is equivalent to an advanced degree recognized in the United States. It is the content of the report, not what you paid for it, that adds value to the petition.

If a credential evaluation makes sense for your profile, what is worth documenting includes:

• The equivalency report issued by a credential evaluation agency.
• The diplomas, transcripts, and certificates that formed the basis of the analysis.
• An explanation of how your educational background connects to the work of national importance you are proposing.

Keeping receipts from the evaluation may serve your personal records, but it is not required evidence and does not constitute a merit argument. To confirm whether a credential evaluation is advisable in your specific case, consult USCIS guidance or an immigration professional.

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Victoria Harper

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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.