“Can I use my Indian Degree to get admission to the United States?”
We often hear this question and the answer is “Yes”.
Well, the Global Credential Evaluation Services Market Size is projected to reach a CAGR of 9.1% during 2024-2032.
So, by having your Indian degree evaluated, you can take a significant leap towards your dreams.
Whether you’re a student or an immigrant or seeking employment after graduation, here’s how you can navigate your future from India to the USA through credential evaluation services.
Let’s explore this in detail-:
What is Credential Evaluation and Why is it Important?
Credential Evaluation is a type of service usually conducted by 3rd party organizations that are proficient and specialized in transcript evaluation.
This evaluation compares the professional & academic qualifications, degrees, and certificates that you’ve earned in one country to that standard in another.
The process of credential evaluation is imperative for international students and professionals who are moving abroad due to certain reasons-:
Academic Admission
US colleges and universities must have an in-depth understanding of your professional and academic background to determine your eligibility for admissions.
Employment Opportunities
Employers in the US need to have a clear understanding of overall background and that increases the likelihood of securing job opportunities that align perfectly with your expertise and proficiency.
Immigration Process Support
Help individuals provide evidence of their educational qualifications while seeking immigration process support.
How Can I Get My Indian Degree Evaluated in the USA?
To get your Indian Degree evaluated in the US, you must –
- Research and choose the most accredited agencies
- Gather the right and official documents like degree certifications, transcripts, or a course description
- Ensure that all certificates and documents have been translated by a certified translator.
- Fill out the application form, and attach the documents in the mail according to the respective guidelines
- Pay the fees and track the status of your application online.
How Do US Universities Evaluate My 3-Year Indian Bachelor's Degree?
The process of evaluating a 3-year Indian Bachelor’s Degree varies among different US universities. However, the Indian education system famously has a 10+2+3 scheme, meaning 10 years of first-stage schooling (take a secondary school certificate exam)
+ 2 years of second-stage schooling (high school certificate exam)
+ 3 years of bachelor’s degree study.
Typically, evaluation is often done course by course or document-by-document, having its own set of policies and criteria.
As of 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs statistics indicate that over 1.5 million Indian students are studying internationally. So in the coming decade, will the US host 2 million international students? According to a new analysis from the international research firm HolonIQ it is anticipated to have a 4.6% compound annual growth rate through 2034. This will result in a foreign enrolment base of nearly 1.8 million students by that year. And, without any doubt, India followed by China will be the biggest driving force for abroad education.
What Are The Stages Of High School In The US?
Recent Changes (2022- 2026):
The landscape of Indian degree evaluation has evolved significantly in recent years. Here are the key changes affecting Indian students:
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUGP): India introduced a new 4-year undergraduate degree structure under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Multiple Exit Options: Students can now exit with certificates (1 year/40 credits), diplomas (2 years/80 credits), general degrees (3 years/120 credits), or honours with research (4 years/160 credits)
- Better Global Recognition: The 4-year honours degree is designed to align more closely with international standards, potentially improving direct recognition in US universities
Enhanced Documentation Requirements (2023–2025)
- Stricter Financial Verification: US institutions now require more thorough and verifiable financial records, including tax returns, bank statements, and clear sponsorship proofs
- Digital Transcript Verification: Increased emphasis on digitally verified transcripts directly from Indian universities to evaluation agencies
- UGC Approval Validation: Greater scrutiny on whether online degrees are from UGC-approved institutions
Immigration-Related Changes (2023–2026)
- USCIS Education Evaluations: More stringent requirements for education equivalency documentation for work visa applications
- Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: Increased scrutiny on credential authenticity for OPT and H-1B visa processes
Types of Credential Evaluations
Here are the types of credential evaluation to consider-:
| Criteria | Course-by-Course Evaluation | Document-by-Document Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Offers | Provides a more detailed analysis of an applicant’s educational credentials | Provides a summary of the applicant’s educational background |
| Purpose | Academic admissions, course transfer, advanced standing | Employment, immigration, professional licensure |
| Content Analyzed | Individual courses, grades, credits | Overall degree and educational level |
| Report Includes | US equivalent of each course, GPA calculation | US equivalent of the overall degree, institutional accreditation |
| Typical Requirements | Transcripts, syllabus/course descriptions, degree certificates | Transcripts, degree certificates |
| Processing Time | Longer due to detailed analysis | Shorter due to less detailed analysis |
| Cost | Quite higher | Comparatively Lower |
| Ideal for | Graduate institution applications, transfer requests, and licensing boards (except for CPA) | USA immigration, first-year admissions, and job applications |
5 Steps to Get Your Indian Degree Evaluated
Here’s the step-by-step guidance for getting your Indian Degree evaluated -:
1. Determine the Purpose
Determine the purpose of getting your credentials evaluated.
Whether it’s for employment, getting a professional license, further education, or immigration. Identifying the purpose will influence the type of evaluation you need.
2. Choose a Recognized Evaluation Company
Choose a recognized and trusted evaluation agency like ERES.
Ensure that the agency is accredited by a recognized body, such as NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). Additionally –
- Compare the fees charged by different agencies. Get a complete breakdown of costs & what’s included
- Evaluate turnaround time and clarify if there’s any additional fee for an even quicker evaluation
- Check online reviews, read testimonials, and read the case studies from their website
- Book an appointment with HR to ask for preferred evaluation services
- Don’t forget to consider their specialization and proven experience with an Indian degree
3. Gather Required Documents
Collect all the necessary documents for evaluation purposes. This typically includes -:
- Transcripts
- Syllabus
- Degree Certificates
- Marksheets
- Diplomas
- Any other academic records
Tips to Ensure Your Documents Are in Correct Place
- Translation
Make sure you’ve collected all the original copies of the documents. Also, note that all your documents must be translated into the English language by certified translators without fail.
- Notarization
Verify your document’s authenticity through notarization. Ensure it has been performed by a government-licensed Notary Public.
Checklist of Documents
Ask your respective evaluation agency and prepare a checklist of documents so you don’t miss any before submission.
4. Submit Your Application
Confirmation: Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with details on tracking your application status.
Incorrect Documents: Double-check that you are submitting the correct documents in the required format.
Payment Issues: Ensure your payment goes through and keep a receipt or confirmation of the payment.
Late Submission: Submit your documents promptly to avoid delays, especially if you have deadlines for applications or visa processes.
Once you’re ready with your documents, complete the application process for credential evaluation. Most of the agencies have an online submission system.
So, register on the evaluation service’s website, create an account, and fill out the form entering your personal information, educational background, and the type of evaluation you need.
Pay the evaluation fees and proceed for further document verification, if your evaluation agency demands.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌Incomplete Application -> ✅Ensure all documents are filled correctly and completely
- ❌Incorrected Document -> ✅Double check all documents before you hit the submit button
- ❌Payment Error -> ✅Maintain a receipt or voucher to confirm the payment
- ❌Late Submission -> Collect, arrange, and submit all necessary documents promptly without fail
5. Follow Up and Await Results
Typically, it takes 2 to 4 weeks to get your Indian Degree evaluated. However, it varies from agency to agency and the specific requirements.
However, certain services demand an additional fee to speed up the time to a few days.
You can always track the status of your application just by logging in. Ask your agency to provide you with that link.
The Final Words
How to Evaluate Indian Degree in USA 2025
- Choose a NACES/AICE accredited agency
- Verify your university’s UGC approval status, especially for online degrees
- Gather official documents: transcripts, degree certificates, marksheets, and course syllabi
- Ensure English translation by certified translators if documents are in regional languages
- Submit application online through the agency’s portal with required fees ($100-$300 typically)
- Request direct university submission if required by the evaluation agency
- Track your application through the agency’s online system
- Receive digital and physical reports within 2-4 weeks (or faster with expedited service)
- Prefer agencies that understand the new NEP 2020 four-year degree structure
- Verify the agency is accepted by your target US institution before applying
- For immigration purposes, ensure the agency is USCIS-approved
To get your Indian Degree evaluated in the US, you must:
- Research and choose the most accredited agencies
- Gather the right and official documents like degree certifications, transcripts, or a course description
- Ensure that all certificates and documents have been translated by a certified translator
- Fill out the application form, and attach the documents in the mail according to the respective guidelines
- Pay the fees and track the status of your application online
Indian Credential Evaluation for U.S. Universities
What Universities Look For:
- Course-by-course equivalency: Detailed analysis showing US credit and grade equivalents
- Accreditation verification: Confirmation that your Indian institution is recognized
- GPA calculation: Conversion of Indian percentage/CGPA to US 4.0 scale
- Degree equivalency: Whether your 3-year bachelor’s equals US bachelor’s or requires additional qualifications
Evaluation Types for University Admission:
- Course-by-Course: Required for graduate admissions and transfer credits (more detailed, higher cost)
- Document-by-Document: Sufficient for some undergraduate first-year admissions (general overview, lower cost)
3-Year vs 4-Year Bachelor’s Degrees:
- 3-Year Degrees (10+2+3): Often evaluated as equivalent to US bachelor’s for graduate admission, but some universities may require additional coursework or a one-year diploma/master’s
- 4-Year Honours Degrees (NEP 2020): Better alignment with US standards, stronger recognition for direct graduate admission
- Master’s Degrees: Indian master’s degrees (1-2 years post-bachelor’s) are typically recognized as equivalent to US master’s degrees
Timeline for Indian Degree Evaluation USA
Standard Processing Timeline:
Week 1-2: Document Preparation
- Gathering official transcripts and certificates: 3-7 days
- Translation and notarization (if needed): 2-5 days
- Application submission: 1 day
Week 2-4: Evaluation Processing
- Agency receives and verifies documents: 1-3 days
- Credential analysis and report preparation: 7-14 days
- Quality review and final approval: 2-4 days
- Report delivery (digital + physical): 1-3 days
Total Timeline: 2-4 Weeks (Standard Service)
Expedited Options Available:
- Rush Service: 5-7 business days ($50-$100 additional fee)
- Priority Service: 3-5 business days ($100-$150 additional fee)
- Express Service: 2-3 business days ($150-$200 additional fee)
Factors That May Delay Processing:
- Incomplete documentation
- Documents requiring translation
- University verification delays
- High application volume during peak admission seasons (October-February)
Pro Tips for Faster Processing:
- Apply at least 6-8 weeks before your university deadline
- Use digital transcripts and e-verification when possible
- Choose agencies familiar with your specific Indian university
- Pay for expedited service if you have urgent deadlines
Navigating through the credential evaluation process from India to the US can be challenging and complex.
However, with a trusted agency and the right approach, you can streamline the process and make your dreams come true.
Whether you’re aiming for higher education or seeking a job opportunity, confidently assemble your documents and a well-done credential evaluation will pave the way for your journey.
If you’re stuck in between the process or looking for a trusted partner, ERES is here to help!
Book an appointment and let our experts handle the hassle. Call us now!
