What Is FIS (Foundation for International Services) and What Services Does It Offer?

Updated

FIS, short for Foundation for International Services, Inc., is a credential evaluation and document services provider that has operated since 1978. It describes itself as a leading provider of international credential evaluations, translations, and expert opinions, and it is a charter member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). If you hold educational credentials or documents from outside the United States and need them interpreted for a U.S. institution, employer, licensing body, or immigration purpose, FIS is one of the organizations you can use. Its services are aimed at international professionals, students, companies, and institutions.

What FIS Does

FIS focuses on three core service lines, according to its website:

  • Credential Evaluations — Documents your educational level and expertise by converting foreign credentials into a form U.S. organizations can understand.
  • Translations — Provides meaning and context for documents in virtually any language.
  • Expert Opinions — Letters that strengthen a credential evaluation, described by FIS as a university professor's recommendation.

The organization positions these services as a way to gain a competitive edge for employment, university admission, and certifications.

Who Uses FIS Services

FIS states that its evaluations are used for:

  • Immigration
  • Employment
  • Admission into U.S. universities
  • Meeting licensing or certification requirements

That makes FIS relevant if you are an immigrant, a job seeker with foreign credentials, a student applying to a U.S. school, or a professional who needs to satisfy a licensing board. Companies and institutions also use FIS to evaluate credentials on behalf of applicants or employees.

How the Process Works

FIS describes a simple, upload-based workflow on its site:

  1. Review pricing — FIS publishes a pricing page ("View Pricing") so you can see its "competitive pricing structure" before committing.
  2. Upload your documents — The site advertises a "Quick & Easy Upload" step to get started.
  3. Receive your evaluation or translation — FIS emphasizes "reliable delivery" and says it helps thousands of people each year.

The exact document requirements depend on your country and credential type. FIS's own news section, for example, addresses what documents it needs to evaluate Chinese credentials, which suggests requirements vary by origin country.

Why the NACES Membership Matters

FIS identifies itself as a charter member of NACES. NACES is a membership association of credential evaluation services, and membership signals that a provider meets the association's standards. For readers choosing an evaluator, this is a checkable credential: you can verify NACES membership independently rather than relying on a provider's own claims.

What Users Say

FIS publishes testimonials on its site, including comments such as "Evaluation request very smooth and professional," "It helped me to finish the evaluation of degree and transcripts, really helpful," and "FIS took care of me in a scary and long process." These are self-reported customer reviews, so treat them as marketing rather than independent verification. They do indicate the kinds of situations people bring to FIS: degree and transcript evaluation, and stressful, time-sensitive processes.

When FIS Is a Reasonable Choice

Consider FIS if:

  • You need a credential evaluation for immigration, employment, university admission, or licensing.
  • You need documents translated as part of that process.
  • You want a provider with a long operating history and NACES membership.

Before committing, check the pricing page for current fees, confirm the specific documents your target institution or agency requires, and verify that FIS evaluations are accepted by the organization you are submitting to. Requirements differ by purpose, and acceptance is ultimately decided by the receiving body, not the evaluation service.