Degree evaluation for TN visa

[Bambarbia]

NAFTA agreement, chapter 16 appendix 1603.d.1.
"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. "

Computer Science Analyst, page 123 on the link which you provided:
--Computer Systems Analyst--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura
Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma 3/ or Post Secondary
Certificate 4/and three years' experience.

[agnelson]

What did you think those '3' and '4' notes were
NAFTA Handbook:
From NAFTA Appendix 1603.D.1

--Computer Systems Analyst--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post- Secondary Diploma [FN3]* or Post Secondary Certificate [FN4]* and three years' experience.

[FN3] "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.

[FN4] "Post Secondary Certificate" means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic institution created by federal or state law.

-- Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:08 pm --

My point is, since you are really ineligible for TN based on what you have reported here, it would be in your best interest to be very co-operative -- and sweeter than honey -- with the officers next time you try, and hope for the best.

I know you must have faced bureaucratic nightmares in your past life that have left you very sensitive to abuse of power, and that a trip to the border is no picnic, but in this case the officer was absolutely correct.

All the best..

[Bambarbia]

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...

[agnelson]

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.

[Bambarbia]

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...

[agnelson]

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: ....

[Bambarbia]

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...

[agnelson]

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.