Form I-140 Translation RequirementsEmployment-Based Petition Packet · 24-Hour Delivery
Per-document Certificate of Accuracy. Every supporting document in your Form I-140 packet translated word-for-word and formatted for USCIS field-office acceptance — with form-specific RFE-prevention review before delivery.
Every Form I-140 order reviewed by Natalia Vega
Senior Certified Translation Reviewer
Last updated: May 18, 2026
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Reviewed by
Natalia Vega, Senior USCIS Translation Reviewer
USCIS form-anchored translation · Form I-140 employment-based packets · Academic credential translation with grade preservation
11 years in certified translation · ATA member since 2017 · High-volume I-140 credential reviewer
Employment-based I-140 packets are our highest-revenue USCIS workflow — diploma and transcript translation with grade preservation is the daily review work
On I-140 transcripts, the single most damaging translation choice is converting grades to a U.S. GPA. Credential evaluators need the original scale preserved — that's the input they work from. A 'helpful' GPA conversion destroys the evidence they need and can stall the entire I-140 process.View full profile
Does USCIS Require Translation or Credential Evaluation for Form I-140?
Both — but they are separate steps. USCIS requires certified English translation of any foreign-language supporting document in the I-140 packet, per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Credential evaluation — converting your foreign degree to a U.S. equivalent — is performed by an outside agency (WES, ECE, or another NACES member) and is required for many EB-2/EB-3 applicants relying on a foreign degree. Translation comes first; the credential evaluator uses our translation as input to build the evaluation report.
Each translated document needs its own signed certification statement. Single 'blanket' certifications covering multiple I-140 documents have been flagged in Requests for Evidence at higher rates since 2020.
Form I-140 · 06/07/2024
Currently accepted. Verify against USCIS Forms Updates before filing.
Last verified
May 18, 2026 by our editorial team
Official source
uscis.gov/i-140Form I-140 Filing Packet: What Goes Inside and What Needs Translation
Form I-140 is the immigrant petition for alien workers, filed by an employer (or by the applicant in self-petitioning categories like EB-1A and EB-2 NIW) to classify the applicant as eligible for an employment-based green card. Per the current 06/07/2024 edition of the form and 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), every non-English supporting document in the I-140 packet must include a complete certified English translation with its own signed Certificate of Accuracy.
We handle all document types we translate for employment-based filings — academic credentials, employment evidence, and the publication and award evidence that supports EB-1 extraordinary-ability petitions. The signature I-140 translation challenge is preservation: original grades, original job titles, and original technical terminology must all be carried into English exactly as issued.
The Filing Packet Map below shows the documents that typically appear in an I-140 packet, which part of the form references them, and the page in the USCIS instructions where the requirement is described. If a row is in a language other than English, you need translation for I-140 to be complete.
| Document | Translation? | Form Reference | Instructions Page | Translation Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign diploma (highest degree) | Required | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 6 | certified diploma translation |
| Academic transcript (matching the diploma) | Required | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 6 | certified transcript translation |
| Foreign employment letters (qualifying experience) | Conditional | Part 6 (additional info) | p. 11 | certified affidavit translation |
| Foreign pay records and employment certificates | Conditional | Part 6 (additional info) | p. 11 | certified bank statement translation |
| Recommendation letters (foreign-language) | Conditional | Part 6 (additional info) | p. 11 | — |
| Evidence of extraordinary ability (EB-1A: publications, awards, media) | Conditional | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 7 | certified legal contract translation |
| Foreign credential evaluation (WES, ECE, or NACES report) | English only | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 7 | — |
| Foreign passport bio page | Conditional | Part 4 (information about applicant) | p. 9 | certified passport translation |
| Foreign academic publications or patent grants (EB-1A / EB-1B) | Conditional | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 7 | — |
| Citation reports for academic publications (EB-1B / EB-2 NIW) | Conditional | Part 2 (petition type) | p. 7 | — |
| Two passport-style photos | Photo only | Part 7 (signature) | p. 13 | — |
| Form I-140 itself | English only | — | — | — |
Foreign diploma (highest degree)
Required
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 6
certified diploma translation →Required on every I-140 packet. The diploma establishes the qualifying degree for EB-2 (advanced degree or its equivalent) and EB-3 (baccalaureate). For EB-1 extraordinary ability, the diploma supports the credential context. Translation must preserve the exact degree title in the source language — no false English equivalency to a U.S. degree.
Academic transcript (matching the diploma)
Required
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 6
certified transcript translation →Required alongside the diploma — credential evaluators (WES, ECE, NACES members) compare the diploma and transcript against each other. Translation must preserve every course, every grade, and the original grading scale exactly. Do NOT convert grades to a U.S. GPA or omit 'minor' courses; the credential evaluator performs the equivalency analysis.
Foreign employment letters (qualifying experience)
Conditional
Form reference: Part 6 (additional info)
Instructions: p. 11
certified affidavit translation →Required when the applicant relies on foreign employment to establish the qualifying experience for the visa category (e.g., 5 years of progressive experience for EB-2, 2 years for EB-3 skilled). Foreign job titles must be translated literally — no false English equivalency, since USCIS uses job titles to verify the experience matches category requirements.
Foreign pay records and employment certificates
Conditional
Form reference: Part 6 (additional info)
Instructions: p. 11
certified bank statement translation →Supplementary evidence that the foreign employment was full-time and continuous over the claimed period. Pay records, social security contributions, and employment certificates from foreign authorities need certified translation when not in English. Numerical data preserved exactly; currency conversion annotated, not substituted.
Recommendation letters (foreign-language)
Conditional
Form reference: Part 6 (additional info)
Instructions: p. 11
Used heavily in EB-1 packets to establish extraordinary ability or sustained acclaim. Recommendation letters must be translated word-for-word, preserving the writer's voice and the specific examples they cite — USCIS reads these letters for substantive content, not boilerplate.
Evidence of extraordinary ability (EB-1A: publications, awards, media)
Conditional
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 7
certified legal contract translation →Required for EB-1A petitions. Foreign-language journal articles, patent grants, award certificates, media coverage, and citation reports all need certified translation. Technical and academic register must be preserved — terms of art in the applicant's field cannot be flattened into general English without losing evidentiary weight.
Foreign credential evaluation (WES, ECE, or NACES report)
English only
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 7
Credential evaluation reports are issued in English by the evaluator and do not need translation. The translation work is the diploma and transcript that the evaluator uses as input — we translate those, the evaluator builds the report.
Foreign passport bio page
Conditional
Form reference: Part 4 (information about applicant)
Instructions: p. 9
certified passport translation →Most national passports include English biographic data and do not need translation. Translation is required for older or specialty passports where the bio page is not in English, particularly to reconcile name transliteration with the diploma and transcript.
Foreign academic publications or patent grants (EB-1A / EB-1B)
Conditional
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 7
Required when foreign-language publications or patents are cited as evidence of extraordinary ability or outstanding research. Translation preserves technical terminology, mathematical notation references, and field-specific conventions exactly — a translator with subject-matter familiarity is essential here.
Citation reports for academic publications (EB-1B / EB-2 NIW)
Conditional
Form reference: Part 2 (petition type)
Instructions: p. 7
Citation reports from foreign academic databases may need translation if the database interface and reference titles are not in English. Citation counts and Hirsch index figures are preserved numerically; only the surrounding metadata (journal names, article titles) needs translation.
Two passport-style photos
Photo only
Form reference: Part 7 (signature)
Instructions: p. 13
Photographs only — no translation required. Photo specifications must meet USCIS requirements (visa-style, recent, 2x2 inches, white background, taken within 30 days of filing).
Form I-140 itself
English only
Form reference: —
The form is in English. Completed sections are written in English by the petitioning employer or self-petitioner (EB-1A, EB-2 NIW). Translation does not apply.
The single most impactful I-140 translation decision is how to handle the transcript. Original grades must be preserved exactly — every course, every grade in the source-language scale, and the institution's grading legend. Do not convert to a U.S. GPA. The credential evaluator (WES, ECE, NACES member) performs the equivalency analysis from the preserved original, and a converted transcript destroys the evidence they need to do that analysis correctly.
Foreign job titles deserve similar care on employment letters. USCIS uses the job title to verify the experience matches the EB category requirements — a 'helpful' translation that converts a foreign job title to a U.S. equivalent may inflate or deflate the actual responsibilities, creating eligibility questions where none existed. Translate literally; annotate with a translator's note where the literal could mislead.
For EB-1A petitions, foreign-language publications, citation reports, and awards establish the extraordinary-ability standard. Generalist translators often flatten technical and academic register, losing the field-specific terminology that makes the evidence credible. We route EB-1 evidence to subject-matter specialists when the field-specific terminology matters — biomedical, engineering, computer science, economics — so the translation reads as serious scholarly work rather than as a general summary.
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Upload every supporting document from the map above. We translate each one with its own signed Certificate of Accuracy per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) and deliver in 24 hours.
Start Form I-140 OrderCommon Languages for Form I-140 Document Translation
Form I-140 packets most commonly involve source documents in Chinese (mainland and Taiwanese academic credentials), Hindi (Indian degrees and transcripts), Korean, Russian, and Spanish. EB-2 and EB-3 packets from Indian and Chinese applicants represent the bulk of our I-140 volume — these are typically H-1B holders transitioning to permanent residence. Our certified Chinese translation services handle a significant share of I-140 credential packets.
For the diploma + transcript pair that anchors every I-140 packet, Chinese diploma translation is our most common single deliverable. Indian credentials typically arrive in English, but academic transcripts from regional institutions often include Hindi or regional-language elements — Hindi transcript translation preserves these elements without flattening the original grading scale.
For the qualifying-experience evidence (employment letters, pay records), Korean employment letter translation is a common deliverable for Korean EB-2/EB-3 applicants where the original employment letter is in Korean. Russian and Spanish packets round out the top source languages. Documents in scripts not listed are handled by native-speaker translators at the same $24.95/page rate. Browse all language services.
Forms Commonly Filed with I-140
I-140 establishes the employment-based green card eligibility. The forms below either accompany I-140 to speed processing, or follow I-140 to complete adjustment to permanent resident status.
Form I-485
Adjustment of Status
Follow-on or concurrent
Green-card application for applicants inside the U.S. Diploma and transcript translations carry forward.
Form I-765
EAD
Concurrent with I-485
Work authorization while I-485 is pending.
Form I-131
Advance Parole
Concurrent with I-485
International travel while I-485 is pending.
Form I-907
Premium Processing
Concurrent speed boost
Filed with I-140 to get a 45-day decision. Payment-only — no additional translation evidence.
How to Get Your Form I-140 Documents Translated — Step by Step
- 1
Confirm the form edition
Check the Form Edition Tracker above. The 06/07/2024 edition is currently in use; verify against USCIS Forms Updates before assembling the packet.
- 2
Identify your EB category and evidence scope
I-140 supports three categories: EB-1 (extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher, multinational executive), EB-2 (advanced degree or exceptional ability, including the National Interest Waiver), and EB-3 (skilled worker or professional).
Each category drives a different evidence packet — credentials and experience for EB-2/EB-3; extraordinary-ability evidence for EB-1. Identify the category before commissioning translation so the packet scope is right the first time.
- 3
Upload diploma + transcript together
Submit the diploma and the matching transcript from the same institution covering the same degree program. Credential evaluators compare them against each other.
Submitting one without the other delays the entire I-140 process. Our team flags single-document academic uploads at intake and asks for the matching companion.
- 4
Native speakers experienced with academic credentials
Your documents go to translators who are native speakers of the source language and who regularly handle I-140 credential packets.
For EB-1 publications and technical evidence, we route to subject-matter specialists who preserve technical and academic register — biomedical, engineering, computer science, economics.
- 5
Per-document certification with grade preservation
Each document is translated word-for-word and arrives with its own signed Certificate of Accuracy. No blanket certifications.
Transcripts preserve every course, every grade, and the original grading scale exactly — no conversion to U.S. GPA. The institution's grading legend is included as part of the translation.
- 6
Credential-evaluation handoff (if applicable)
For EB-2/EB-3 applicants who need a credential evaluation, our translation is the first step. The evaluation by WES, ECE, or another NACES member agency is a separate service that uses our translation as input.
We do not perform the credential evaluation ourselves — that's an evaluator's job — but our format aligns with what every major NACES member expects.
Many EB-2/EB-3 applicants pair their I-140 translation with credential evaluation through WES or ECE. We can deliver the translation in a format the evaluator accepts directly, shortening the overall timeline from upload to credential report.
SSL upload. Files deleted from active storage after 90 days unless you request retention.
Translation-Related RFEs on Form I-140
These are the translation-related Request for Evidence patterns we have seen most often on I-140 packets, with what USCIS typically asks for and how to prevent the issue before filing.
Pattern 1 — Transcript translated with grades converted to U.S. GPA instead of preserving original
- What USCIS asks
- USCIS asks for a translated transcript that preserves the original grading scale exactly — every course title, every grade in the source-language scale, and the institution's grading legend — without conversion to U.S. GPA. The credential evaluator (WES, ECE, NACES) performs the equivalency analysis from the preserved original.
- Why it happens
- Well-meaning translators sometimes 'helpfully' convert grades (e.g., a Chinese percentage to a U.S. letter grade or GPA) to make the transcript easier to read. This destroys the evidence the credential evaluator needs to do their analysis correctly — and USCIS treats the converted transcript as non-compliant.
- How to prevent
- Use a translator who preserves grades in the original scale and includes the institution's grading legend as part of the translation. Our transcript translations keep every course, every grade, and every notation exactly as issued — equivalency is the credential evaluator's job, not the translator's.
Pattern 2 — Diploma submitted without transcript (or vice versa)
- What USCIS asks
- USCIS or the credential evaluator asks for the matching transcript when only the diploma is submitted, or for the matching diploma when only the transcript is submitted.
- Why it happens
- Applicants sometimes assume the diploma alone establishes the degree — it doesn't, for credential evaluation purposes. Evaluators need both to perform the equivalency analysis: the diploma confirms the credential was awarded, the transcript shows the coursework that supports it. Submitting one without the other delays the entire I-140 process.
- How to prevent
- Submit both the diploma and the transcript from the same institution covering the same degree program. Our team flags single-document academic uploads at intake and asks for the matching companion before starting the translation.
Pattern 3 — Foreign job title translated with false English equivalency
- What USCIS asks
- USCIS asks for a re-translated employment letter that preserves the original foreign job title literally — without converting it to a U.S. job-title equivalent — so the qualifying experience can be evaluated against the visa category requirements.
- Why it happens
- Translators sometimes convert a foreign job title to a U.S. equivalent the reader will recognize. But USCIS uses the job title to verify the experience matches the EB category requirements — a converted title may inflate or deflate the actual responsibilities, creating eligibility questions where none existed.
- How to prevent
- Translate foreign job titles literally — for example, a Chinese 工程师 stays 'engineer' literally rather than being elevated to 'senior engineer.' Where the literal translation could mislead, a translator's note clarifies the scope. Our employment-letter translations preserve titles exactly with annotation rather than equivalency.
Pattern 4 — Single blanket certification covering multiple translated documents
- What USCIS asks
- USCIS asks for a separate signed translator's certification statement for each translated document, attesting to the accuracy and completeness of that specific document.
- Why it happens
- Some translation providers issue one combined Certificate of Accuracy covering an entire I-140 packet — particularly tempting given the document breadth (diploma, transcript, multiple employment letters, publications). USCIS has flagged this practice in Requests for Evidence at higher rates since 2020.
- How to prevent
- Confirm with your translation provider that each translated document arrives with its own signed Certificate of Accuracy. Our deliverables include one Certificate of Accuracy per document by default.
Pattern 5 — EB-1 publication translation that loses technical or academic register
- What USCIS asks
- USCIS asks for a re-translated publication or technical document that preserves field-specific terminology and the academic register of the original — so the evidence accurately represents the applicant's contribution to the field.
- Why it happens
- Generalist translators sometimes flatten technical and academic publications into plain English, losing the field-specific terminology that establishes the applicant's expertise. EB-1A petitions in particular depend on translated publications reading as serious scholarly work to support the extraordinary-ability standard.
- How to prevent
- Use a translator with subject-matter familiarity in the applicant's field. For technical publications, our reviewers include domain specialists (biomedical, engineering, computer science, economics) who preserve terms of art rather than generalizing them.
Sample Certification Statement for Form I-140 Translations
The U.S. Department of State publishes a suggested certification statement format that authoritative translation providers align with. Our Certificate of Accuracy satisfies that format and includes the credentials and contact information USCIS and credential evaluators expect.
State Department suggested format
"I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________."
Source: U.S. Department of State — Information about Translating Foreign Documents
Our Certificate of Accuracy
Issued on company letterhead. Signed by the translator with credentials and contact information. Dated to the day of translation.
A separate certification is attached to each translated document — never a single blanket certification for the I-140 packet, no matter how many credential and employment records it includes.
Accepted by every USCIS field office and by every NACES member credential evaluator (WES, ECE, others). If a translation is rejected for a translation-related reason, we reissue at no cost or issue a refund.
Translation Cost for Form I-140 Packets
Form I-140 translation starts at $24.95 per page. I-140 packets are credential-heavy: the diploma plus a multi-page transcript plus employment letters typically run $200 to $500. EB-1A packets with publication and citation evidence can exceed $800 depending on volume.
See what is included in every certified translation — the same Certificate of Accuracy, native-speaker translator, and credential-evaluator-aligned formatting applies to every I-140 deliverable.
Typical packet estimate (base: $24.95/page)
- Diploma (highest degree) (1–2 pages)$24.95 – $49.90
- Academic transcript (multi-page) (3–8 pages)$74.85 – $199.60
- Foreign employment letter (each) (1–3 pages each)$24.95 – $74.85 per letter
- Foreign pay records / employment certificates (2–8 pages)$49.90 – $199.60
- EB-1A publication (single) (4–12 pages)$99.80 – $299.40
- EB-1 award certificate or media coverage (1–3 pages)$24.95 – $74.85
- Recommendation letter (foreign-language) (1–3 pages)$24.95 – $74.85 per letter
Typical I-140 packet total: $200 – $800+ (varies with category and evidence breadth)
Exact price confirmed after we review your documents — before you pay.
Form-specific translation packets typically cost $30–$60 per page at competitors. Our $24.95 base rate includes per-document certification, unlimited revisions, the USCIS acceptance guarantee, and formatting accepted by every NACES member credential evaluator.
Form I-140 — Related Resources
Related immigration guide
Work Visa translation guide →Goal-anchored guide to employment-based translation covering H-1B, L-1, O-1, and the EB green card pathway — same domain, framed by the work visa journey rather than by USCIS form number.
Other translation services
- Certified translation services
The full picture of what is included in every certified translation we deliver.
- Document translation services
Every document type we translate for USCIS and other authorities.
- WES credential evaluation requirements
World Education Services accepts our translations as input to their credential evaluation reports.
- Compare requirements across USCIS forms
Cross-form comparison guide for all major USCIS forms.
Official sources
- USCIS Form I-140 official page — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Form I-140 instructions (PDF) — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) — Translation Requirements — eCFR
- Information about Translating Foreign Documents — U.S. Department of State
Frequently Asked Questions About Form I-140 Translation
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Should transcript grades be converted to U.S. GPA for Form I-140?
Ready to Translate Your Form I-140 Packet?
Upload your I-140 supporting documents — diploma, transcript, foreign employment letters, pay records, and for EB-1 packets your publications, awards, citations, and media coverage. We translate every page with a separate signed Certificate of Accuracy, preserve original grades and job titles exactly, and route technical EB-1 evidence to subject-matter specialists.
Standard turnaround is 24 hours. If a translation is rejected for a translation-related reason, we correct it at no extra cost or refund your payment.
Still have questions about your packet? Reach us anytime — a real person responds, not a bot.
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CertTranslate provides certified translation services only. We do not provide legal advice, immigration consulting, form-filing assistance, or credential evaluation. Credential evaluation is a separate service performed by NACES member agencies (WES, ECE, others). For questions about your specific filing or strategy, consult a licensed immigration attorney. Consult USCIS.gov for the current Form I-140 edition and instructions.