Foreign Credentials Evaluation

The foreign credentials evaluation for H-1B applicants is required by USCIS when the highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain their own evaluation. Department of State Regulations require J-1 scholars have earned a minimum of a Bachelor's.  Once the evaluation is received, the applicant will upload the document to the H-1B “Educational & Employment History” e-form in iTerp or forward to assigned ISSS advisor.  The applicant be able to use this evaluation for other employment and immigration needs in the future. The University of Maryland uses the following agencies to complete these evaluations: 

1. Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc.
2. Arizona International Credential Evaluators (AZICE) (Instructions // Application)

The applicant should be prepared to submit the following documents to the credentials evaluator (documentation may differ by evaluation agency):

• The applicant’s CV  (Curriculum Vitae) including all tertiary level degrees awarded
• An official Bachelor’s diploma in the original language with certified English translations 
• An official Bachelor’s transcript in the original language with certified English translations
• An official Master’s diploma in the original language with certified English translations
• An official Master’s transcript in the original language with certified English translations
• An official Ph.D. degree in the original language with certified English translations

If a translation of a document is needed,  we have more information here.