Recognition and value of your foreign educational qualifications and work experience is crucial when planning to study, work, or immigrate to a new country. Getting a foreign education evaluation is an essential step in this process.

International evaluation services play a crucial role in interpreting these credentials in terms of the host country’s education or professional standards. This article provides a comprehensive guide on these services, their importance, and how they operate.

Why International Evaluation Services?

International evaluation services, also known as foreign credential evaluation services, are organizations that specialize in assessing the equivalency of educational qualifications, professional experience, and skills acquired outside the host country. They convert these credentials into the host country’s educational or professional system, thereby facilitating easier access to higher education, employment, or immigration processes.

These services play a significant role in a globalized world where mobility for education, work, and immigration has become increasingly common. They serve as a bridge in understanding and valuing different educational systems and professional experiences worldwide, highlighting the importance of international education.

Significance of Credential Evaluation

Credential evaluation is an important step for individuals planning to study, work, or immigrate to a new country. It helps in:

1. Educational equivalency: Universities and colleges require credential evaluations to understand an applicant’s academic qualifications and their equivalence in their educational system. This assists in the admission process, ensuring the applicant’s academic standing is accurately recognized.
2. Employment: Employers require evaluations to understand an applicant’s educational background and work experience, thereby ensuring the candidate meets the job requirements. This often includes a foreign degree evaluation to verify the applicant’s qualifications.
3. Immigration: Immigration authorities require evaluations to assess if the applicant meets the educational requirements for certain visa categories.
4. Professional Licensure: Various professional licensing boards require evaluations to ensure that foreign-trained professionals meet the educational standards of the profession in the host country, often as part of the professional certification process.

Different Types of Evaluations

There are several types of evaluations offered by international evaluation services, each catering to different needs:

1. General Evaluation: This identifies, describes, and provides U.S. or Canadian equivalency for each credential.
2. Course-by-Course Evaluation: This outlines the institution(s) attended, dates of attendance, credentials earned, and the U.S. or Canadian education equivalent. It also details individual courses taken with semester units and an overall grade point average where applicable, making it a vital component of transcript evaluation. Utilizing a GPA calculator can further clarify academic standing.
3. Work Experience Evaluation: This pairs relevant professional experience with education to meet the standards set by immigration services.
4. Expert Opinion Letter: This is for cases that necessitate the opinion of an expert in a specific field or occupation, often involving applied research.

The Evaluation Process

The process of credential evaluation involves several steps:

1. Determine the type of report needed: The applicant must first understand the type of report required, which largely depends on the purpose of the evaluation – be it for education, employment, immigration, or professional licensure. Familiarizing oneself with evaluation guidelines is crucial in this process.
2. Fulfill Documentation Requirements: The applicant must provide all necessary documents as per the evaluation service’s requirements. These typically include academic transcripts, degree certificates, and proof of work experience, collectively referred to as educational records.
3. Apply for Evaluation: The applicant applies for the evaluation online, submits the required documents, and pays the processing fee.
4. Evaluation and Report Generation: The evaluation service assesses the credentials and generates a detailed report indicating the U.S. or Canadian equivalency of the foreign credentials, a process known as foreign diploma evaluation.

Choosing the Right Evaluation Service

Choosing the right international evaluation service is crucial for obtaining accurate and recognized evaluations. Several factors should be considered, including:

1. Membership in professional associations: Services that are members of professional associations like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) are usually reliable and adhere to established standards in credential evaluation. Opting for a NACES approved agency can ensure the credibility of the evaluation.
2. Experience and reputation: Services with a track record of providing high-quality evaluations and having a good reputation among clients are preferable.
3. Turnaround time: The time taken by the service to complete the evaluation and generate the report is an important factor, especially for time-sensitive applications.
4. Customer service: Good customer service, including timely communication and responsiveness to queries, is a crucial factor in choosing an evaluation service.

Application Process

The application process for credential evaluation involves several steps:

1. Determine the type of evaluation needed: : Depending on the purpose (education, employment, or immigration), determine the type of evaluation required, such as a NACES evaluation, to ensure it meets your specific needs.
2. Gather required documents: Collect all necessary documents as per the evaluation service’s documentation requirements.
3. Apply online: Complete the online application form, submit the required documents, and pay the evaluation fee.
4. Receive your evaluation report: Upon successful evaluation, you will receive your evaluation report detailing the U.S. or Canadian equivalency of your foreign credentials, providing a gateway to opportunities in the United States.

Documentation Requirements

The documentation required for a credential evaluation can vary depending on the country of origin of the credentials and the type of evaluation sought. Generally, academic credential evaluators may require the following documents:

1. Academic transcripts: These should be official and show the grades obtained in each subject.
2. Degree certificates: Official copies of degree certificates or diplomas should be provided.
3. Proof of work experience: If the evaluation involves work experience, documents such as job descriptions, letters of recommendation, and proof of employment may be required.
4. Translation of documents: If the original documents are not in English, certified translations may be required.

Pricing Structure

The cost of obtaining a credential evaluation can vary depending on the type of evaluation, the complexity of the case, and the turnaround time required. Some services offer a tiered pricing structure based on the type of evaluation and the processing time. Additional fees may apply for rush service, extra copies of the evaluation, or electronic delivery options.

Expert Opinion Letters

Expert opinion letters, often essential for immigration petitions, are typically crafted by university professors or industry experts, including international consultants, to provide valuable support for complex or unique cases.

Dealing with Requests for Evidence

An RFE, or Request for Evidence, is a notice from USCIS requesting additional evidence to make a decision on a case. It’s important to respond to an RFE in a timely and comprehensive manner. International evaluation services often assist in preparing strong responses to RFEs, leveraging their expertise and understanding of credential evaluations.

Translation Services

Many international evaluation services also offer translation services. This is particularly useful when the original documents are not in English. The service typically provides certified translations that are accurate and suitable for credential evaluations.

About EEE OF AMERICA

EEE OF America stands out as a leading provider of international evaluation services, including as a distinguished education evaluator. Offering comprehensive solutions for foreign credential evaluations, our array of services encompasses Education Evaluations, Work Experience Evaluations, Position Evaluations, Expert Opinion Letters, and Certified Translations.

Annually, we assist thousands of clients, including immigration lawyers, corporate legal departments, educational institutions, and individuals. Our team collaborates with university professors and industry experts to deliver expert opinion letters that bolster USCIS petitions, address RFEs, or support appeals.

Adhering to USCIS and AACRAO EDGE standards, our evaluations are recognized by universities, professional licensing boards, government agencies, and educational institutions, solidifying our reputation as premier education and credential evaluators.

In conclusion, international evaluation services, particularly those adept at handling international academic credentials, are pivotal in recognizing and valuing foreign credentials.

They facilitate smoother transitions for individuals aiming to study, work, or immigrate to a new country. Opting for a reliable and experienced service like EEE of America ensures accurate and timely evaluations, significantly easing the process.

Remember, understanding the value of your international credentials is the first step towards a successful career or educational journey in a new country. Engaging with proficient foreign credential services can be a game-changer in this respect.