In a recent Memo issued by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, it was viewed that a three-year university course of study relating to a bachelor’s degree followed by a PONSI (Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction of the American Council on Education’s Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials) recognized post-graduate diploma is deemed equivalent to a four year US Bachelor’s degree.

An alien in the above scenario can also combine that equivalent degree with five years of progressive experience in the specialty to satisfy the “advanced degree” requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

However in the matter of filing an EB-2 petition based on “advanced degree” category, the above view was not contemplated to be the same.

Source: AILA and BCIS Memo dated July 23, 2003