How do I get my foreign degree evaluated in the US?

To get your foreign degree evaluated in the U.S., you need to use a NACES or AICE member service like WES or ECE, gather your official documents (transcripts, diplomas, translations), and submit them through the chosen service's online application for a report comparing your education to U.S. standards, which is required for work, school, or immigration.

How to evaluate a foreign degree in the USA?

Applicants can request an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

How can I verify my bachelor's degree in the USA?

The National Student Clearinghouse is the trusted source for education verification offering U.S. degrees and attendance records. We offer immediate online verifications, integrated Web services option for high-volume requestors, and 24/7 availability.

How do employers verify foreign degrees?

Common options include:

• Direct contact with your university. Some HR teams email or call the registrar to confirm graduation details.
• Third party verification. Employers hire companies that specialize in checking foreign transcripts and institutional records.
• Credential evaluations. ...
• Document authentication.

How much does a Naces evaluation cost?

NACES evaluation fees vary by agency and report type, generally ranging from $100 for basic evaluations to over $200 for comprehensive course-by-course analyses, with additional costs for rush processing or specialized reports like nursing licensure. For example, a course-by-course report might be around $195 (ECE), while a general report could be $100-$135 (ECE, EP). Always check directly with NACES member agencies like WES, ECE, IEE, or SpanTran for their current pricing.
 

Step by Step Guide for Degree Evaluation EB2 NIW

How do I know if my degree is accredited in the USA?

To check the accreditation status of an institution, visit the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions.

How long does it take to evaluate a foreign degree?

Please note that foreign credential evaluation services typically take three to six weeks to provide evaluation reports.

Which one is better, Icas or WES?

ICAP is especially valuable for applicants whose reports will go to multiple recipients or who plan to reuse their reports. You submit one set of documents and WES delivers them to all your recipients—both when we issue your report and when you request duplicates.

How to evaluate foreign degree in Canada?

An Educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a Canadian one. There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes.

How long does NACES evaluation take?

NACES Member. Foreign Credential Evaluation Services. ECE provides trusted credential evaluation reports for education, employment, licensure, and immigration in around 5 business days. With 45+ years of experience and NACES charter membership, we ensure excellence, integrity, and personalized care.

How do companies check if you have a bachelor's degree?

There are three generally accepted methods:

• Contact the schools or higher learning institutions directly.
• Ask the candidates to provide a copy of their diploma or transcripts.
• Work with a third-party background check service.

How to get your degree verified?

You can verify your educational qualifications on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD) via SAQA VeriSearch at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . If you are an employer, you can also confirm the qualifications of your employees on the database.

Is a WES evaluation worth it?

Yes, a WES evaluation is often worth it, especially for studying or working in the U.S. or Canada, as it verifies your foreign credentials, translates them into local equivalents (like GPA), and adds legitimacy for employers, schools, and immigration, though it can be a costly and time-consuming process with occasional processing delays. Its value comes from simplifying applications, meeting licensing requirements, and providing a universally recognized assessment of your academic background, which doesn't expire. 

How long does WES evaluation take?

A WES evaluation typically takes 7 business days to several weeks after all required documents are received and verified, but the timeline varies significantly; standard evaluations might be faster (around 7 days), while specific types like WES ECA for immigration or complex cases (ICAP) can take 20-35 business days or longer, depending on document delivery, volume, and verification, with electronic delivery often quicker than mail. 

What documents do I need for NACES?

Diploma/ Degree Certificate (if you've completed the program) Transcripts/ Grade Reports/ Examination Certificates that include all the courses completed or subjects examined along with the grades or results received for each. Some transcripts list coursework by years or academic terms.

How much to pay for a WES evaluation?

WES evaluation fees vary by report type, with a basic Document-by-Document evaluation around $100-$115 USD, and a Course-by-Course evaluation around $160-$182 USD, plus extra costs for express delivery, ICAP, or additional reports. The International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) offers benefits like verified transcripts for future use and costs extra, while specific evaluations like those for Canadian immigration (ECA) have different fee structures.
 

Does Canada accept WES evaluation?

World Education Services (WES) is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs). An ECA is used to evaluate degrees and diplomas earned outside of Canada. View a sample ECA.

Is Icas accepted in Canada?

ICAS Assessment Reports are widely accepted across Canada, by employers, by colleges and by Canadian and U.S. customs and immigration officials. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that the type of report you request will meet the requirements of the institution, organization, agency or employer.

How much does a foreign credential evaluation cost?

Foreign credential evaluation costs typically range from $100 to $300+, with basic evaluations around $90-$150 and comprehensive course-by-course analyses costing $150-$250 or more, depending on the provider (like WES, ECE, IEE) and required detail, plus potential extra fees for shipping, rush services, or translations. More complex evaluations for specific professions or immigration (like H-1B) can reach $600 or higher.
 

How do employers verify international degrees?

How Do Employers Verify Educational Background Check?

• Contacting Educational Institutions. ...
• Using Third-Party Verification Services. ...
• Requesting Transcripts or Diplomas. ...
• Online Databases. ...
• Diploma Mills Screening. ...
• Confirming Credentials for International Education. ...
• Social Media Screening. ...
• Analyzing the Website of the College.

What if my degree is not accredited?

Degrees from unaccredited colleges may not qualify graduates for employment, state licensure, or graduate school, and may even be illegal to claim in job applications in some states like Oregon.

What are the three types of accreditation?

The three main types of accreditation are Regional, National, and Programmatic (or Specialized), which validate the quality of entire institutions (regional/national) or specific programs (programmatic) like nursing or engineering, with regional often seen as the "gold standard" for traditional universities, national focusing on career/vocational schools, and programmatic certifying individual departments within a larger school.