i-944 Education

[stasypu 4]

Hello, guys! 

I have a question on the education part for this new form i-944. 

The instructions say that the education should be evaluated:

"Foreign education should include an evaluation of equivalency to education or degrees acquired at accredited colleges, universities, or educational institutions in the United States."

 

I have a degree from a Russian university (it is master's) but I do not have the diploma with me here, just copies (though with apostille).

Did anyone go through that already? Is it a must? I have a bunch of other certificates as well.

Anyone having more information about this?

 

Thank you.

[irishoxford 38]

Stasypu,

I'm taking them at their word and getting my transcripts verified (+ made equivalent) for both high school and undergraduate education (from the U.K.), even though my Master's degree university, a U.S. university, evaluated and made equivalent my undergraduate degree (Oxford) in-house.  

I'm just not taking any chances that that won't be enough for USCIS, especially when this form is new. 

J  

      

[Liam2021 583]

Guys, the i-944 only asking if you have any degree outside US. If yes, just fill in with the name of the school or university and that it. No need to evaluated it. Evaluated your foreign degree is needed if you decide go back to school in US or apply for a job which required college degree.

[stasypu 4]

1 hour ago, H&T said:

Guys, the i-944 only asking if you have any degree outside US. If yes, just fill in with the name of the school or university and that it. No need to evaluated it. Evaluated your foreign degree is needed if you decide go back to school in US or apply for a job which required college degree.

Yes, but what about this line?

 

"Foreign education should include an evaluation of equivalency to education or degrees acquired at accredited colleges, universities, or educational institutions in the United States."

[Just Paul 4,595]

20 minutes ago, stasypu said:

Yes, but what about this line?

 

"Foreign education should include an evaluation of equivalency to education or degrees acquired at accredited colleges, universities, or educational institutions in the United States."

seems pretty self explanatory

 

[LBee1592 17]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

seems pretty self explanatory

 

Might be a dumb question, but, to you what does it imply? 

I'm just making sure that I understand this right.

[Just Paul 4,595]

2 hours ago, LBee1592 said:

Might be a dumb question, but, to you what does it imply? 

I'm just making sure that I understand this right.

You follow the instructions literally. 

 

In many cases forms are used for different purposes.   I don't see anything in the instructions to say it is optional.

 

If you are in a rush you could file without it and see if you get a RFE.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[Sami58 17]

7 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

seems pretty self explanatory

 

 

5 hours ago, LBee1592 said:

Might be a dumb question, but, to you what does it imply? 

I'm just making sure that I understand this right.

I would’ve gotten my credentials evaluated here in the US and attach a copy of it with my application. You just can’t “chance” anything with USCIS. They are hunting for grounds of denial. Don’t give them one. 

[LBee1592 17]

8 minutes ago, Sami58 said:

 

I would’ve gotten my credentials evaluated here in the US and attach a copy of it with my application. You just can’t “chance” anything with USCIS. They are hunting for grounds of denial. Don’t give them one. 

 

3 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

You follow the instructions literally. 

 

In many cases forms are used for different purposes.   I don't see anything in the instructions to say it is optional.

 

If you are in a rush you could file without it and see if you get a RFE.

Thank you very much guys for your advice, I will not risk it and take the time to manage to provide an evaluation!

[Sami58 17]

5 hours ago, LBee1592 said:

 

Thank you very much guys for your advice, I will not risk it and take the time to manage to provide an evaluation!

You’re welcome. I don’t know which state you’re in but here it NYC it’s $100 each plus 10 business days to have your credentials evaluated. Of course they have an expedited process ranging between $50 and $175 depending on how soon you want to have it but this is in addition to the initial $100 a piece 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️. Good luck. Just evaluate the most recent certificate.. e.g, Evaluate the masters and not the bachelors unless you have money to burn 🤷🏾‍♀️

Edited March 14, 2020 by Sami58

[LBee1592 17]

7 hours ago, Sami58 said:

You’re welcome. I don’t know which state you’re in but here it NYC it’s $100 each plus 10 business days to have your credentials evaluated. Of course they have an expedited process ranging between $50 and $175 depending on how soon you want to have it but this is in addition to the initial $100 a piece 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️. Good luck. Just evaluate the most recent certificate.. e.g, Evaluate the masters and not the bachelors unless you have money to burn 🤷🏾‍♀️

Thank you!! 

I am in Phoenix, AZ

I had found one that says 7 to 10 business days on their website, but when I asked, they said 3 weeks so I am kind of worried because I did not want to wait that long and I really want to avoid getting an RFE but their rush fees are outrageous lol 

Yes, you're right, I am just going to get the most recent stuff evaluated. 

[stasypu 4]

7 hours ago, Sami58 said:

You’re welcome. I don’t know which state you’re in but here it NYC it’s $100 each plus 10 business days to have your credentials evaluated. Of course they have an expedited process ranging between $50 and $175 depending on how soon you want to have it but this is in addition to the initial $100 a piece 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️. Good luck. Just evaluate the most recent certificate.. e.g, Evaluate the masters and not the bachelors unless you have money to burn 🤷🏾‍♀️

Did you have yours translated? Also, did you provide originals? My originals are in Russia, will have to ship them here firts, I guess.

I translated my education documents myself (I am a translator), hope that works. 

I've heard WES is a good company, but I live in California, it will take time to ship it to NY and back.

[Sami58 17]

1 minute ago, stasypu said:

Did you have yours translated? Also, did you provide originals? My originals are in Russia, will have to ship them here firts, I guess.

I translated my education documents myself (I am a translator), hope that works. 

I've heard WES is a good company, but I live in California, it will take time to ship it to NY and back.

I did not need mine evaluated for the i485 since I applied last August but I needed it evaluated for a federal job. 

[stasypu 4]

1 hour ago, Sami58 said:

I did not need mine evaluated for the i485 since I applied last August but I needed it evaluated for a federal job. 

Which company did you use?

Did you provide originals?

I found only one company so far that accepts copies (SpanTran), gonna call them on Monday.

[Sami58 17]

19 minutes ago, stasypu said:

Which company did you use?

Did you provide originals?

I found only one company so far that accepts copies (SpanTran), gonna call them on Monday.

I went to them with my original. I used Globe Language Services. It’s a company in Manhattan opposite the Federal Plaza. They photocopied it and gave me back my original so I’m assuming that you can take copies to them as well.