In today’s globalized world, many individuals seek opportunities beyond their home countries, leading to a significant increase in the number of foreign employees in the United States. 

One critical aspect of this process is ensuring that one’s academic credentials are recognized and valued by U.S. employers, which necessitates degree verification. This is an essential step in confirming the authenticity and equivalency of a foreign degree to its U.S. counterpart. 

Despite its importance, many foreign degree holders encounter challenges in getting their education recognized, as navigating the best foreign degree evaluation in the USA can be complex and daunting. 

This article aims to shed light on the importance of degree verification and the challenges foreign degree holders face in the U.S.

Why is Degree Verification Important?

Degree verification is crucial for employers and employees to ensure the credibility and legitimacy of an individual’s academic qualifications. The necessity of foreign degree verification arises for several reasons.

First, it helps employers ascertain that the prospective employee has the required educational background and skills for the job. This is particularly important as it ensures that the candidate is adequately qualified and can contribute effectively to the organization.

Secondly, it safeguards the employer from legal issues from hiring an individual with fraudulent or non accredited qualifications. For the employee, having a verified degree increases their credibility and improves their chances of securing a job.

Legal And Professional Requirements

Lastly, legal and professional requirements in certain fields, such as medicine, engineering, and law, mandate the verification of foreign degrees to ensure that the individual meets the necessary standards and qualifications to practice in the United States. Foreign degree verification is essential for maintaining professional standards, legal compliance, and a fair and competitive job market.

How To Validate A Degree From Another Country In The U.S.?

Navigating the professional landscape in the United States often requires individuals to validate their foreign degrees, a process that can seem overwhelming without proper guidance. 

Understanding how to validate a degree from another country in the U.S. is crucial for any professional seeking opportunities in the American job market.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Make sure you have accurate and complete documentation of your academic qualifications. This includes your degree certificate and your transcripts, which should detail the courses you have taken and the grades you received. 

These documents must often be translated into English and may require notarization or authentication.

Step 2: Select a Credential Evaluation Service

Choose a credential evaluation service. These agencies specialize in assessing foreign academic qualifications and determining their equivalence in the United States. Choosing an agency recognized and accepted by employers, educational institutions, and licensing boards is essential.

Understanding this process and the role of various agencies and organizations is critical to successfully validating your foreign degree in the United States.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Navigating the job market in a new country comes with its own set of challenges. A common question arises: Do U.S. companies check your degree? 

The answer is, more often than not, yes. Employers in the United States frequently verify the educational qualifications of prospective employees as part of their hiring process. Verifying that the candidate has the required abilities and expertise for the position is a standard procedure.

A. Common Obstacles 

• Language barriers
• Unfamiliarity with the U.S. educational system
• Selecting an appropriate credential evaluation agency
• Delays or complications in obtaining necessary documents

B. Solutions and Tips

• Start the process early and gather all necessary documents well in advance
• Seek assistance from a translation service if language is a barrier
• Familiarize yourself with the U.S. educational system and requirements for your specific field
• Choose a reputable credential evaluation agency recognized by U.S. employers and educational institutions

Being proactive and well-prepared will help ensure a smoother verification process and increase your chances of success in the U.S. job market.

Tips for Ensuring a Smooth Verification Process 

Having your foreign degree verified and recognized by U.S. employers can be daunting. Still, with the right approach, it can be made significantly smoother.

A. Useful Tips and Recommendations

• Research: Start by researching the specific requirements for your field and the employers you are interested in. Some professions have specific accreditation bodies, and some employers may have preferred credential evaluation services.

• Documentation: Gather all your academic documents, including transcripts, diplomas, and other relevant certificates. Ensure that they are translated into English and notarized if necessary.

• Choose the Right Agency: Select a reputable credential evaluation agency like ERES that U.S. employers and educational institutions recognize.

• Follow-Up: Don’t hesitate to follow up with the evaluation agency or your prospective employer if you haven’t heard back within the expected time frame.

B. Role of Proactive Communication and Preparation 

Proactive communication and preparation are crucial to ensuring a smooth verification process. By researching requirements, gathering documents, selecting the right agency, and following up diligently, you can demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to potential employers. 

Being proactive also helps identify and address potential issues before they become significant obstacles.

Final Words

Validating a foreign degree in the U.S. is vital for career success. Although the process may seem complex, with diligence and proactivity, it is entirely manageable. 

Understanding the requirements, preparing thoroughly, and choosing the right credential evaluation agency is crucial. 

Remember, your effort in understanding how to validate a degree from another country in the U.S. will lay the foundation for a rewarding career in the United States.