official evaluation of education from a Credential's Evaluation

An H-1B visa evaluation of education from an evaluation agency for a foreign degree may not necessarily be mandatory, but it is recommended, and may save the petitioner from receiving a request for further information on the equivalency of the degree. A USCIS officer may not necessarily question a foreign PhD or Masters degree, but would commonly challenge a baccalaureate degree from a foreign country which does not have an evaluation attached to it. Simple evaluations of education only range in the approximate figure of $100 and most evaluation agencies are able to send back the evaluation result within a week. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.

It is not necessary if your degree is from a US school.  Each evaluation company sets its own prices and works at its own pace.