US Immigration with Diplomas from Spain: The Role of Academic Evaluations

Every year, around 4,000 people from Spain become green card holders in the U.S. Another 12,000 people, on average, come from Spain to the U.S. as temporary arrivals for work, study, business, or tourism. That means the number of Spaniards who come to the United States and need immigration lawyers and academic evaluations is not zero. And that’s without mentioning non-Spaniards who got their degrees in Spain. If you’re part of a Spanish-speaking law firm, they probably amount to a percentage of your clientele.

Degrees from Spain are somewhat complex to evaluate and compare to U.S. credentials because there are at least 5 types of credentials in higher education. That’s why an experienced partner like MotaWord for both evaluations and translations is exactly what you need to support your professional law practice.

In this article, we’ll go over the importance of credential evaluation services for degrees from Spain. We’ll also go over the different types of credentials awarded in Spain, how to evaluate them, and a few more details about Spain's higher education system. Let’s get right into it!

Understanding Degrees from Spain

Spain has a solid reputation when it comes to higher education. The country offers a wide range of degree programs, and students from all over the world go there to study. Behind the scenes, the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation of Spain (ANECA) is the one making sure those programs meet strict quality standards. If a university wants its degrees to be officially recognized, it needs to pass ANECA’s review. That’s how Spain keeps its degrees in line with both national and international expectations.

The main law that governs Spanish universities is called the Ley Orgánica de Universidades (LOU). It was passed in 2001 and plays a big role in how the system is structured. The LOU was designed to bring Spain in line with the Bologna Process, which is Europe’s effort to make higher education more consistent across countries. That’s where things like the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) come into play.

Thanks to this alignment with the Bologna Process, Spain’s degrees follow the three-cycle format: Grado, Máster, and Doctorado. If you’ve worked with European academic records before, this should look familiar. But the LOU also includes national-level rules that reflect Spain’s specific priorities. So while the overall structure is European, the system still has local details you need to watch for.

This mix of international standards and Spanish-specific rules is exactly why evaluating Spanish degrees isn’t always straightforward. You need to know what you’re looking at.

How to Evaluate Higher Education Degrees from Spain

Spain’s higher education system uses the Bologna Process framework, which breaks degrees into three levels: Título de Graduado (Bachelor’s), Máster Universitario (Master’s), and Doctorado (Doctorate). The structure is pretty similar to what we have in the U.S. A Grado takes four years, a Máster can take one to two, and a Doctorado takes several more.

But here’s where things get tricky. Spain only adopted this system fairly recently. Before that, their degrees looked very different. If you’re evaluating older diplomas, you’ll probably run into titles like Diplomado, Arquitecto Técnico, Ingeniero Técnico, Licenciado, Ingeniero, and Arquitecto. These were the standard first university degrees before the switch, and most were discontinued around 2009 or 2010.

Out of that group, only Licenciado and Ingeniero generally match up with a U.S. Bachelor’s or even a Master’s degree. The rest usually don’t. That means you need to pay attention to dates and titles if you’re making credential decisions based on Spanish transcripts.

Another thing to watch for is Títulos Propios. These are postgraduate credentials offered by universities, but they’re not officially recognized by the Spanish government. You’ll see names like Máster, Técnico, Diploma, Especialista, Experto, or Graduado. Some last six months, others up to two years. They can be valuable in the job market, but they’re not equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree.

The big giveaway is the word "Universitario." If a diploma says Máster Universitario, it’s an official degree with full government recognition. If it just says Máster, it’s a Título Propio, and that’s not going to meet the standard for a U.S. Master’s equivalent. That distinction matters a lot.

USCIS Requirements for Degrees from Spain

If you're submitting academic credentials from Spain to USCIS, certified translations are a must. Anything that’s not in English needs to be translated accurately and certified. That’s where MotaWord comes in. Our certified translation service keeps things fast, professional, and fully compliant.

But translations aren’t the only thing USCIS cares about. Your documentation also needs to be clear, complete, and organized. That means proof of authenticity, full supporting documents, and making sure everything lines up with the specific visa category you're working with.

Immigration attorneys should also be paying close attention to where the degree came from. Not every university or program in Spain carries the same weight. Knowing the accreditation status of the school can make or break how those credentials are viewed by USCIS.

That’s why teaming up with MotaWord and our experienced academic evaluation team can raise the bar for your practice. We bring the academic and linguistic knowledge, and you bring the legal strategy. Together, you make sure your clients’ Spanish degrees are properly understood and fairly represented.

FAQs: Spanish Degrees and U.S. Immigration Cases

Can a Spanish degree be used for professional licensing in the U.S.?

It depends on the profession. Some licensing boards may accept foreign degrees, but most require a credential evaluation from a recognized service. Additionally, some professions may require further testing or coursework in the U.S., regardless of the degree's origin.

Are there regional differences in Spanish universities that affect credential evaluations?

Yes. While national standards apply, the quality and recognition of programs can vary between autonomous communities. Some universities may have stronger reputations or more rigorous academic standards, which can affect how a degree is perceived during evaluation.

Does the medium of instruction (language) impact how a Spanish degree is evaluated?

No. Credential evaluators focus on the content and structure of the academic program, not the language of instruction. However, USCIS will still require a certified English translation for any non-English documents.

What happens if a Spanish university is private and not government-accredited?

If the institution is not recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, degrees from that university may not be considered valid for official purposes like immigration or further education in the U.S. It might be different when looking for a job (not work-related visas), as a Titulo Propio might provide practical experience and be considered an asset for potential employers.

Can multiple degrees from Spain be evaluated together in one report?

Yes. If a client holds more than one Spanish credential (for example, a Grado and a Máster), most credential evaluation services can include them in a single report.

Supporting Your Practice with Reliable Credential Expertise

Working with Spanish academic credentials isn’t just about translation. It’s about understanding a system that has evolved, varies by degree type, and includes both official and unofficial programs. If you’re representing clients from Spain or anyone with a Spanish degree, the right approach can save time, avoid USCIS rejections, and ensure your legal filings are accurate and complete.

MotaWord helps you cover all the bases. From certified translations to in-depth credential evaluations, we support immigration professionals like you with the tools and expertise needed to handle Spanish academic documentation confidently.

When precision matters — and in immigration law, it always does — we’re here to help.