Credential evaluation (WES, ECE), H-1B and STEM OPT strategy, professional licensing, and the document preparation (apostille + certified translation) that US employers and licensing boards require. For internationally educated professionals navigating the US job market.
Step 1 of 4
What is your current immigration/work authorization status in the US?
Foreign-educated professionals often spend months applying without knowing their degree is not recognized in their field without a credential evaluation. We help you get your documents apostilled, evaluated, and translated to meet US employer and licensing board standards.
Internationally trained physicians, nurses, and pharmacists face rigorous state licensing board requirements. Each board has specific apostille and translation requirements for foreign diplomas, transcripts, and certifications. We prepare the complete document package.
Technology professionals in the US on OPT or seeking H-1B sponsorship need to demonstrate their foreign degree equivalent. Credential evaluations and properly apostilled transcripts are the foundation of strong H-1B petitions.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign academic credentials for evaluation | University or educational institution in origin country | Originals or certified copies for credential evaluation | US employers and licensing boards typically require a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization (WES, ECE, Josef Silny, etc.) for foreign degrees. The evaluation compares your degree to the US equivalent. You will need apostilled transcripts and diplomas from your home country for the evaluation. |
| Apostilled academic transcripts and diploma | Apostille authority of the origin country + university registrar | 5–15 business days depending on origin country | Most credential evaluation agencies (WES, ECE) require official transcripts sent directly from the university AND apostilled copies. We coordinate the apostille of your academic documents for submission to US evaluation agencies. |
| Certified English translation of academic documents | Certified translator (USCIS-standard Certificate of Accuracy) | 24–48 hours | All foreign academic documents submitted to US employers, licensing boards, and credential evaluators must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This is different from a "sworn translation" — it requires a Certificate of Accuracy signed by the translator. |
| Work authorization documentation (EAD, H-1B approval, green card, etc.) | USCIS | Current and valid | US employers are legally required to verify work authorization for all new employees (Form I-9). Ensure your work authorization document is current. If your authorization is tied to employer sponsorship (H-1B), the job search process must account for the visa transfer process. |
The first step for any internationally educated professional in the US is understanding how their foreign degree compares to US credentials. A credential evaluation from a NACES-member agency (WES, ECE, Josef Silny) provides a formal assessment. We help you prepare the apostilled, translated documents required by the evaluation agency.
Licensed professions in the US (medicine, nursing, engineering, architecture, law, teaching, accounting) have state-specific licensing boards that evaluate foreign credentials separately from general academic credentials. Requirements vary significantly by state and profession. We provide the document preparation — apostille, certified translation — that licensing boards require.
International professionals often face two simultaneous challenges: proving their credentials are equivalent to US degrees AND finding an employer willing to sponsor a work visa if needed. We advise on industries and employers with strong international hiring records, and how to position a foreign credential in a US resume.
If you need employer sponsorship, we advise on the main work visa categories (H-1B for specialty occupations, O-1 for extraordinary ability, EB-3 for skilled workers, TN for Mexican and Canadian professionals) and what documentation is typically required. We coordinate the document preparation side — the legal advice comes from a licensed immigration attorney.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
A credential evaluation is an official assessment by a NACES-member agency (like WES or ECE) that compares your foreign degree to its US equivalent. You need one if: you are applying to US graduate schools, seeking professional licensing in a regulated field (medicine, engineering, nursing, law), applying for H-1B sponsorship (the petition must demonstrate degree equivalency), or when a US employer specifically requests it. For most private-sector jobs that do not require a license, a credential evaluation is optional but can strengthen your application.
Yes. WES and most NACES-member credential evaluation agencies require that the documents sent directly from your foreign university be official certified copies, and for countries that are Hague Convention members, apostilled documents are typically required or strongly recommended. We coordinate the apostille of your transcripts and diploma so they meet WES and other evaluator standards.
OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a 12-month work authorization period for F-1 student visa holders after graduation. STEM OPT is a 24-month extension available to graduates of STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) — bringing the total to 36 months. H-1B is an employer-sponsored specialty occupation visa for a maximum of 6 years (with possibility of extension while a green card is pending). H-1B requires employer sponsorship and is subject to an annual cap with a lottery. Most international graduates use OPT/STEM OPT to work while their employer sponsors an H-1B.
For an H-1B petition, the employer's immigration attorney typically needs: your foreign degree diploma (apostilled if from a Hague country), official transcripts (apostilled), certified English translations of all foreign documents, and any professional licenses or certifications from your home country. We prepare the full document package — apostille and certified translation — so you can focus on the job offer and the legal petition.
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