Degree not shown to be a U.S. advanced degree equivalent

What this objection usually means

The officer was not persuaded that the petitioner's degree equals a U.S. master's degree or higher, often because the credential evaluation was thin, contradicted, or based on combining several credentials.

What has tended to answer it

A detailed credential evaluation that explains its method, official transcripts and diplomas, and consistency between the evaluation, the CV and the forms.

General patterns drawn from past decisions, not legal advice for your case. Ask a licensed immigration attorney how this applies to you.

The rule

“An advanced degree is any U.S. academic or professional degree or a foreign equivalent degree above that of baccalaureate.”

USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Pt. F, Ch. 5(A)(2)

Quoted from the USCIS Policy Manual current as of Sept 23, 2026. Check the online manual before filing.

Where it sank the appeal

Recent dismissed appeals raising this objection

• Dismissed2026-08-05Business & finance

  Without such evidence, the record does not establish that the Petitioner's foreign education constitutes a qualifying advanced degree or the foreign equivalent of a United States baccalaureate degree. 2 See Flores v.

  Read decision AUG052026_01B5203
• Dismissed2026-08-03Business & finance

  Thus, the Petitioner has not established that he holds the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

  Read decision AUG032026_01B5203
• Dismissed2026-07-28Energy, environment & agriculture

  The record, however, does not include evidence sufficient to show that the Petitioner's academic credential is the foreign equivalent above that of a U.S. bachelor's degree.

  Read decision JUL282026_03B5203
• Dismissed2026-07-08Business & finance

  However, because SCOPS has not yet properly evaluated whether he has a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree and 5 years of progressive experience to qualify as an advanced degree professional, or whether he qualifies as an individual of exceptional ability, we will reserve the issue of EB-2 classification for consideration in future proceedings.

  Read decision JUL082026_06B5203
• Dismissed2026-07-07Engineering

  Here, the record lacks sufficient evidence to demonstrate the Petitioner's eligibility based on a single advanced degree ( foreign equivalent of a U.S. master's degree) or combination of a bachelor's degree with five years of progressive experience in the specialty. 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

  Read decision JUL072026_06B5203
• Dismissed2026-06-08Business & finance

  This criterion requires evidence of "membership in professional associations" and "profession" is defined as the occupations listed in section 10l(a)(32) of the Act, as well as any occupation for which a United States baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent is the minimum requirement for entry into the occupation.4 However, the Petitioner has not asserted, and the record does not otherwise demonstrate, that the NNA requires its members to possess the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.

  Read decision JUN082026_01B5203

Where the petitioner still won or got a remand

Sustained or remanded decisions where this issue was discussed: read them to see what answered it

• Remanded2026-05-05Engineering

  Instead, SCOPS noted the Petitioner's submission of a credential evaluation and then, without further discussion or explanation, concluded that "the petitioner does not have" "a bachelor's degree plus five ( 5) years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, a master's degree, or the foreign equivalent."

  Read decision MAY052026_01B5203
• Remanded2025-12-18Engineering

  The Petitioner states that, as indicated on the labor certification, it will not accept less than a bachelor's or foreign equivalent degree and 60 months of experience for the offered position.

  Read decision DEC182025_01B5203
• Remanded2025-12-01Business & finance

  Relying on the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE) database, SCOPS determined that "the Petitioner's academic record does not appear to be equivalent to a 'Doctor ofDental Surgery degree' in the United States as claimed in the academic evaluation provided."2 SCOPS also determined that, although the endeavor of working as a dental surgeon requires a doctoral degree in the United States, the Petitioner does not have a United States doctoral degree or a foreign equivalent as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(…

  Read decision DEC012025_05B5203
• Remanded2025-07-29Business & finance

  On remand, SCOPS should fully analyze whether the Petitioner has established his eligibility for EB- 2 classification as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree given that his stated intent to work as an aquaculture consultant does not appear to require at least a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent for entry.

  Read decision JUL292025_01B5203
• Remanded2025-06-27Business & finance

  The record, however, is not sufficient to demonstrate the Petitioner has either the foreign equivalent above that of a U.S. bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree followed by five years of progressive experience in the same specialty.

  Read decision JUN272025_04B5203
• Remanded2025-01-14Business & finance

  While we recognize AACRAO EDGE as a reliable source of information regarding foreign educational credentials, the information relied upon by the evaluator does not support her conclusion that the Beneficiary's two-year postgraduate diploma in management is the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.

  Read decision JAN142025_02B5203