H-1B Credential Evaluation Service USA
Career Consulting International provides professional H-1B credential evaluation services for foreign nationals and employers across the United States. When a beneficiary holds a degree earned outside the U.S., USCIS needs clear, well-supported documentation showing that the education meets specialty occupation requirements and how it does so.
A missing or poorly prepared credential evaluation for H-1B visa is one of the most common reasons petitions may receive a Request for Evidence, face delays, or get denied even when the applicant is genuinely qualified for the role.
Our evaluations are prepared individually. Each report is built around the specific visa category, position requirements, and the academic background of the applicant, with direct attention to how USCIS officers assess foreign degree submissions during the H-1B adjudication process.
What Is an H-1B Credential Evaluation and Why Does It Matter?
An H-1B credential evaluation is a formal professional assessment that determines whether a foreign degree or combination of education and experience is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in a specific field of study.
USCIS requires that H-1B beneficiaries hold at minimum a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specialty directly related to the offered position. When that degree was earned outside the United States, an independent evaluation is typically needed to confirm equivalency.
Why this matters:
USCIS does not automatically accept foreign degrees as equivalent
Officers cross-reference evaluations against resources such as the AACRAO EDGE database
An evaluation that lacks clear methodology or fails to address the specialty occupation can trigger an RFE
Credential issues are among the most common reasons H-1B petitions face scrutiny
Risks of an inadequate evaluation:
Requests for Evidence that delay processing
Petition denials that affect reapplication timelines
Loss of cap-subject petition slots
Employment disruptions for sponsored workers
A properly prepared H-1B education evaluation service addresses these risks from the outset, with findings that align with how USCIS adjudicators actually review credential documentation.
H-1B Credential Evaluation to Avoid an RFE
One of the most effective ways to protect an H-1B petition is to submit a well-prepared credential evaluation before USCIS raises questions. Education-related Requests for Evidence are among the most common issues in H-1B filings, particularly when the beneficiary holds a foreign degree or a degree in a field that does not directly match the specialty occupation.
A proactive H1B credential evaluation to avoid RFE addresses the questions USCIS is likely to ask before they are formally raised:
Is the foreign degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in a relevant field?
Does the coursework support the specialty occupation requirements?
Is the degree from an accredited institution recognized and accepted in the United States?
Submitting a clear, well-supported evaluation at the time of initial filing reduces ambiguity and gives USCIS officers the documentation they need to adjudicate without issuing a follow-up request. This is especially important for 3-year degrees, interdisciplinary programs, and cases where the degree field does not perfectly align with the job title.
Who This Service Is For
Our H-1B credential evaluation service supports a wide range of clients across the United States. Most come to us because their situation involves a foreign degree, a non-traditional education path, or a prior RFE and they need an evaluation that holds up under USCIS review.
Clients typically include:
Foreign nationals being sponsored for H-1B status whose degrees were earned outside the U.S.
Employers and HR teams that need to verify a candidate's international education against specialty occupation requirements
Immigration attorneys building petition packages and looking for evaluation reports that anticipate USCIS scrutiny
Applicants with 3-year degrees from India, the UK, Australia, or similar systems, where 3-year degree H-1B evaluation is needed to establish U.S. bachelor's equivalency
Applicants without a traditional 4-year degree who qualify through the three-for-one rule by combining education and progressive work experience
Petitioners responding to RFEs where USCIS has questioned H-1B degree equivalency or the connection between the degree field and the offered position
Whether the case is straightforward or involves a complex equivalency determination, our reports are built to address the specific questions USCIS is most likely to raise.
What's Included in Our H-1B Credential Evaluation
Every H-1B education evaluation service we prepare is built around the specific purpose of the report. Each one typically covers:
Full review of academic credentials, degrees, diplomas, transcripts, and supporting records
Document-by-document evaluation for straightforward degree equivalency cases
For complex or interdisciplinary academic backgrounds, we prepare a detailed course by course H-1B evaluation that reviews each subject area individually to build a complete equivalency picture
Analysis of program structure, duration, field of study, and coursework content
Determination of H-1B degree equivalency using clear methodology aligned with U.S. educational frameworks
Assessment of how the education relates to the specific specialty occupation
Where applicable, evaluation of work experience equivalency cases using USCIS three-for-one rule guidelines
A professionally written evaluation report designed for inclusion in an H-1B petition package
Internal quality and compliance review before delivery
Turnaround:
-Standard processing: 3-7 business days
-Expedited processing is available upon request for time-sensitive filings and fast H-1B credential evaluation needs, including RFE deadlines
All reports are delivered in a format appropriate for USCIS submission, employer review, or attorney use.
How Our H-1B Evaluation Process Works
Step 1
Initial Case Review
We confirm the purpose of the evaluation, the visa category, the offered position, and the applicant’s educational background. This ensures the report is aligned with what USCIS will be looking for in the specific petition.
Step 2
Documentation Analysis
Degrees, transcripts, course descriptions, and where applicable employment records are reviewed carefully. For H-1B RFE credential evaluation cases, we also examine the RFE notice to understand exactly what USCIS is requesting.
Step 3
Expert Evaluation
A qualified evaluator assesses the foreign credentials and prepares a supported explanation of how the education compares to a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree. For 3-year degree H-1B evaluation cases, we apply recognized methods that account for differences in program duration, credit structure, and subject coverage.
Step 4
Quality and Compliance Review
Each report is reviewed internally before release. We check for clarity, methodological consistency, and alignment with how USCIS officers expect documented analysis to be presented in an H-1B petition package.
Step 5
Final Delivery
The completed report is delivered in a professional format ready for petition submission, RFE response, or attorney review.
Why Choose Career Consulting International?
Foreign degree evaluation H-1B cases require more than a form letter. USCIS officers are trained to identify evaluations that rest on general conclusions rather than genuine analysis, and a report that cannot explain its reasoning clearly is unlikely to be well received.
Career Consulting International, operating through TheDegreePeople.com, approaches each case with that reality in mind:
Extensive experience with H-1B specialty occupation evaluations across a wide range of fields
Direct familiarity with how USCIS reviews credential evaluation for H-1B visa petitions
Proven handling of 3-year degree H-1B evaluation cases from India, the UK, Nigeria, and other countries where degree structures differ from U.S. norms
Experience addressing H-1B RFE education equivalency issues after USCIS has raised specific concerns
Careful handling of experience-based equivalency cases for applicants who combine education and work history, supported by documented analysis that meets USCIS review expectations
Ethical evaluation methodology. We do not issue unsupported conclusions
Secure handling of all personal and academic documentation
Clear communication throughout the process, with no unexplained delays
Many clients and attorneys come to us when they need more than a standardized report. They are looking for an evaluation built around the actual demands of the petition, and they have often found that Career Consulting International handles those cases more effectively than larger, higher-volume services.
Common H-1B Scenarios We Handle Nationwide
3-Year Bachelor's Degree Cases
Applicants from countries where a bachelor's degree is three years in duration including India, the UK, and Australia often face questions about whether their degree is equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree. For example, an Indian degree equivalent to US bachelor H1B evaluation requires detailed structural analysis showing how the program content, credit hours, and academic level compare to a U.S. four-year program. Our 3-year degree H-1B evaluation reports address these cases clearly and consistently.
Degree and Field Mismatch
When an applicant holds a degree in a field that does not directly match the specialty occupation title, USCIS may question whether the education supports the role. We address H-1B degree equivalency in context, explaining how coursework and knowledge areas connect to the job's actual requirements.
Education and Work Experience Combination
Under USCIS regulations, three years of specialized, progressive work experience can substitute for one year of U.S. college-level education. When an applicant's academic background falls short of a full four-year degree, this pathway allows us to build an H-1B education and experience equivalency case using documented employment history. Each evaluation of this type explains precisely how the experience was assessed and why it meets the regulatory threshold.
H-1B RFE Response Support
If USCIS has issued an RFE questioning educational qualifications, a properly prepared H-1B RFE credential evaluation can be a central part of the response package. We work with applicants and attorneys to address the specific concerns raised by USCIS, not just general equivalency.
Interdisciplinary or Broadly-Titled Degrees
Degrees in fields such as Business Administration, Information Technology, or Engineering Management may face additional scrutiny when the specialty occupation is narrowly defined. We analyze course content and training to support H-1B specialty occupation eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an H-1B credential evaluation?
An H-1B credential evaluation is a formal assessment of a foreign applicant's educational qualifications. It determines whether their degree or combination of education and experience is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in a field related to the offered specialty occupation position.
Is a credential evaluation required for every H-1B petition?
Not always. However, when the beneficiary holds a foreign degree evaluation H-1B scenario, meaning a degree earned outside the U.S., USCIS often expects supporting documentation. An evaluation is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of an RFE or denial.
How does the 3-year degree H-1B evaluation work?
A 3-year degree H-1B evaluation analyzes the structure, duration, and content of the foreign program and compares it to what a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree covers. The report explains, with supporting evidence, why the degree meets or does not meet equivalency requirements.
What is the H-1B education and work experience equivalency rule?
Under USCIS guidelines, three years of specialized, progressive work experience can count as the equivalent of one year of U.S. college-level education. When an applicant does not hold a full four-year degree, this rule allows a combination of education and experience to satisfy the bachelor's equivalency requirement, provided it is properly documented and explained.
How long does an H-1B credential evaluation take?
Standard evaluations are typically completed within 3 to 7 business days. If a petition deadline or RFE response window is approaching, expedited processing is available on request. Timelines depend on document readiness and case complexity.
How much does an H-1B credential evaluation cost?
Pricing depends on the type of evaluation and the turnaround required. We structure fees around the scope of each case rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rate. Contact us directly for a fee estimate specific to your situation.
Can I submit an H-1B credential evaluation online?
Yes. Our process is fully accessible online. Clients submit documents securely through our platform and receive the completed evaluation report in a digital format ready for petition use.
What happens if USCIS issues an RFE about my education?
An H-1B RFE credential evaluation prepared specifically to address the concerns in the RFE notice is often the most effective response. We review the RFE language carefully and prepare an evaluation that directly responds to the questions USCIS has raised.
Move Forward With Confidence
An H-1B credential evaluation is a document that USCIS officers will examine closely. Clarity, proper methodology, and alignment with specialty occupation requirements all influence how an evaluation is received.
Career Consulting International prepares every report with that expectation in mind, not as a routine document, but as a piece of evidence that needs to hold up under review.
If you are uncertain whether your credentials qualify, or if you have already received an RFE, a confidential case review can help clarify your options before you take the next step.