Five years of progressive experience not documented

What this objection usually means

When the petitioner relies on a bachelor's degree plus experience, the officer needs employer letters proving at least 5 years of post-degree experience that grew in responsibility and relates to the specialty.

What has tended to answer it

Employer letters on letterhead with dates, titles, duties and progression; experience that clearly relates to both the degree and the endeavor.

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

The rule

“Progressive experience in a field unrelated to the bachelor’s degree does not equate to an advanced degree in that field.”

USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Pt. F, Ch. 5(D)(1)

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

  Even if the Petitioner established possession of a foreign equivalent bachelor's degree, he must also demonstrate at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty. users found that the Petitioner did not demonstrate possession of at least five years of progressive, postbaccalaureate experience in his field.

  Read decision AUG052026_01B5203
• Dismissed2026-07-23Business & finance

  Accordingly, because of the evidentiary deficiencies discussed above, the Petitioner offered has not established that she is an advanced-degree professional either based on having attained five years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience in a specialty or based on having earned a master's degree.

  Read decision JUL232026_04B5203
• 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
• Dismissed2026-05-14Engineering

  In sum, the record does not demonstrate that the Petitioner has at least five years progressive experience following his bachelor's degree as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

  Read decision MAY142026_02B5203
• Dismissed2026-05-07Business & finance

  SCOPS also determined that the Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence showing that he had at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in his specialty.

  Read decision MAY072026_03B5203
• Dismissed2026-04-21Engineering

  Without resolving these ambiguities and inconsistencies, the record does not establish whether the Petitioner followed his bachelor's degree with at least five years of progressive experience in the specialty, as required by the regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). 2

  Read decision APR212026_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
• Remanded2026-04-24Clinical & health

  Specifically, SCOPS stated that the EB-2 classification "requires that the petitioner have a bachelor's degree plus five (5) years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, a master's degree, or the foreign equivalent, which the petitioner does not have."2 Upon de novo review, we will withdraw SCOPS' determination on this issue and conclude that the Petitioner is a member of the professions holding an advanced degree.

  Read decision APR242026_02B5203
• Remanded2026-03-02Business & finance

  Citing 8 C.F.R. § 204.S(g)(l), SCOPS determined that the Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence showing that he had at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in his specialty.

  Read decision MAR022026_03B5203
• Remanded2025-08-12Public service & social

  To determine whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: his education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or 3 The evaluation does not detail how the evaluator reached such a conclusion. 4 In the alternative, 8 C.F.R. ~204.5(k)(3)(i) pennits the submission of an official academic record showing that the individual has a U.S. b…

  Read decision AUG122025_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
• Remanded2024-10-23Business & finance

  Because the Petitioner had not completed his MBA program at the time of filing, to be eligible for EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional, he must establish he holds a U.S. baccalaureate degree (or foreign equivalent) followed by at least five years of progressive, postbaccalaureate experience in the specialty, which together is considered equivalent to a U.S. master's degree.

  Read decision OCT232024_01B5203