Degree evaluation for TN visa

Page 16-13 of NAFTA:

"Post-Secondary Diploma" means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post-secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. "


U.S. Department of State:
Education Requirement- The applicant's employer must submit proof that the applicant meets the minimum education requirements or has the alternative credentials set forth in NAFTA agreement, chapter 16 appendix 1603.d.1. Evidence of professional qualifications may be in the form of degrees, certificates, diplomas, professional licenses, or membership in a professional organization. Degrees, diplomas, or certificates received from an educational institution outside the United States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation service specializing in evaluating foreign documentation.

The U.S. Network for Education Information “The U.S. government does not recommend or endorse any individual credential evaluation service or group of services, and does not conduct evaluations or make recognition decisions.”

Yes, I-275's major was completely stupid letter from Employment Agency where I an "Web UI Developer". Now I have letter from Direct Client with detailed job requirements (such as manage engineers, file patents etc.).

I need to double-check Diploma-related things... there were 10 mistakes, and "degree translation" was 0.5 of a problem...

All the paragraph you have underlined is saying is that if you have a foreign degree or diploma or certificate form outside NA, its needs to be evaluated.

But the criteria for TN for CSA requires tha the diploma be from NA.

Do you think you are the first person on these forums that has been rejected on this basis?

.. and by the way, if the words "manage engineers" is seen by the officer, you can look forward to another rejection and another I-275.

A TN cannot manage anyone or anything.

I'm thinking you shoud get H1-B. I'm afraid you will never get a TN.

Thanks agnelson,
I think I understand now... Bachelor&Master (from Russia) are accepted with degree evaluation by accredited institution. 2-years Diploma (from Russia) is not accepted.

BTW, I have had accredited evaluation where it is cleanly written "Bachelor". And, "Master" in Letter of Employment. It caused additional questions...

-- Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:29 pm --

Ok, it is not "manage"...
"Lead a team of motivated engineers for product development"...

INS specifically asked job title to be CSA. I think it is mistake. Profession/Occupation is not the same as Job Title...

INS specifically asked job title to be CSA. I think it is mistake. Profession/Occupation is not the same as Job Title...

I agree, but at this point, you are best to follow their directions as best you can.

Typically one would write, candidate for job position XYZ requests TN under the CSA category, given that his duties wil be as follows: ....

Thanks agnelson!

Yes...
Employer hired "best in San Francisco" attorney, and now intead of "Web UI Developer" I have "Software Engineer"... it costed me a lot to explain that "Software Engineering Consultant" is more suitable for outsorsing (staffing), and to get additional letter from Client "he is an exceptional Computer Systems Analyst"...

INS specifically put into report that they need letter from Employer and they don't accept letters from Staffing Companies.

Of course I am nervous and emotional, they want me to start next Monday.

I found big list (6-7 institutions in Canada) who do credential evaluaions, all are non-profit departments of Universities. All need official transcript / mark sheet which I lost 15 years ago. Only one (ICAS of Canada) can write letter to Ministry of Edication of Russia on my behalf, and it will take few months...

My understanding is that NAFTA needs degree in Canada, or credentials evaluation by an institution who gives such degree (University). So that my evaluation from Evaluation World won't work.

Yes, better is to apply for H1B in this case; if they really need me they can do it in 15 days...

May be I'll try at Niagara, to avoid extra-costs on booking tickets...

if you are going to get anywhere in US immigration world, you will need to get your official transcripts, and a line-by-line translation, so I would be working on that, independent of trying to get my TN right now.

They don't need word-by-word translation; they do need credential evaluation indeed... and they (mistakenly) put into report "translation"...


-- Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:20 pm --

Diploma is translated as Diploma indeed... and Degree is evaluated as double-PhD... Computer Sciences + Mathematical Economics...

As I said, if you want to get further into US immigration, you will need a translation. i'm talking I-140 and Green card here.

Seriously, for soemone who has been absolute failure at getting anywhere at the border, you would do better to listen a little more and argue less. You would not have a denial on your record had you followed this advice earlier.

My understanding of "translation" is "certified translation from Russian into English" which I have, and Diplom is translated as Diploma, word-to-word.

My understanding of "credential evaluation" is "his diploma is equal to Bachelor degree in Science in U.S." which I also have.

Sorry, I can't understand what "degree translation" means...

BTW, major reason of TN Rejection was Letter of Employment not listing explicitly Computer Systems Analyst related duties, and me not realizing that programmers (or developers) do not belong to that category.

Minor issue was that I didn't have original of evaluation report with me; I only had PDF sent to me via Email from accredited institution (24-hours rush service) which I printed (on photo paper).

Most of us who have gone on to immigrate to US, thru the PERM, I-140 and AOS process, have had to submit a transcript of our records. My degree is in English and so is my transcript, so they can read what it says.

Your transcript may not be so easy to read. As I said earlier, the transcript translation is for FUTURE immigration purpose, not for TN.

Obvioulsy you are not going to get a copy of your transcript translated this weekend for use at the border for TN. This is meant as a gentle nudge to get this done at your leisure rather than later when you get a 60-day letter demanding an english version of your transcript.

You'll find that sticking to your guns, and to your definitions will not get you far with US immigration -- I think you've found that already, no?