Credential Evaluations
If your degree is from an institution based outside the U.S. (including Canada), the U.S. immigration service will require an official credential evaluation of your highest degree,. This is true even with degrees from world class institutions where the instruction and degree are in English.
You only need to have one degree evaluated; the degree related to your Yale appointment. If you have multiple higher degrees you may wish to speak to your OISS adviser to determine which degree is most related to your Yale appointment.
While you may use the credential evaluation service of your choice, make sure that you select a company with official endorsement, such as AICE or NACES. Some popular companies include Academic Credential Evaluation Institute, Education Credential Evaluators, Morningside, Trustforte, World Education Services, These plans are not endorsed by Yale or OISS but have been used by Yale international students and scholars. In all cases, the entire process is completed on line. The fee for this service ranges from $85 to $200 depending on what documents you need reviewed and how quickly you need the report. If you have questions about obtaining an evaluation please contact your adviser in OISS.
NOTE: For clinical-care appointments requiring M.D. and licensure, you may be able to use the ECFGM certificate as your credential evaluation. However for green card processing you cannot use FCVS or ECFMG as your evaluation.
Translations
All documents submitted in any immigration application (including the visas mentioned above) must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. You do not need to hire an official translator or have the documents “notarized.” The translation can be completed by a language department or by any colleague who is fluent in both English and the language of the document. The translation should include, at the end, a statement similar to the one below.
Certification of Accuracy:
I, (Name), residing in the State of Connecticut, being duly sworn, attest that I am fluent in both English and { fill-in language }. I have made a translation to English of the attached { name the document e.g. Birth Certificate } which was written in { fill-in language }. I hereby certify that this is a true and complete translation to the best of my knowledge, ability, and belief.
Signed:
Dated:
