Are you planning to study, work, or immigrate to Canada? If so, understanding the World Education Services (WES) evaluation process is crucial. A WES evaluation converts your international academic credentials into their Canadian equivalents, ensuring that your qualifications are recognized by Canadian employers, educational institutions, and immigration authorities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about WES Canada evaluations—from what they are and how to apply, to the different types of reports available and whether a WES evaluation is mandatory for your Canada PR application. Let’s dive in and get your journey to Canada started on the right foot!
Table of Content
1. Understanding WES Evaluations
- What is a WES Evaluation? Comprehensive Overview & Benefits
- Alternative Credential Evaluation Services: Can I Get My Education Assessed Without WES?
- WES Degree Equivalency Tool: How to Check Your Foreign Degree Status
2. How to Apply for WES Canada Evaluation
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for WES Canada Evaluation Online
- WES Canada Evaluation Document Requirements: Complete Checklist
- How to Send Documents to WES Canada: A Detailed Guide
1. Understanding WES Evaluations
What is a WES Evaluation? Comprehensive Overview & Benefits
A WES (World Education Services) evaluation is an assessment that converts your international academic credentials into their Canadian or U.S. equivalents. This evaluation is crucial for immigrants, students, and professionals seeking to study, work, or obtain licensure in Canada or the U.S. The benefits include streamlined recognition of your qualifications by employers, educational institutions, and licensing bodies, making it easier to achieve your goals in your new country.
Alternative Credential Evaluation Services: Can I Get My Education Assessed Without WES?
Yes, while WES is one of the most popular credential evaluation services, there are alternatives such as ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada), CES (Comparative Education Service), and IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service). Each service has its own procedures and requirements, so it’s essential to choose the one that best suits your needs, especially if you are applying for immigration or professional licensure.
WES Degree Equivalency Tool: How to Check Your Foreign Degree Status
The WES Degree Equivalency Tool is an online resource that allows you to compare your foreign academic credentials to their Canadian or U.S. equivalents. By entering your degree information into the tool, you can get a preliminary understanding of how your qualifications will be evaluated. This tool is helpful in planning your education or career path in Canada or the U.S. before you apply for a full WES evaluation.
If your degree is not listed there it doesn’t mean it is not equivalent to anything, you will know that in real assessment.
2. How to Apply for WES Canada Evaluation
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for WES Canada Evaluation Online
Applying for a WES Canada evaluation is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Create an Account:
Firstly, visit the official WES website, click on the “Get an Evaluation” green button (Right-hand top-side) or visit the direct link to create an account.
Step 1.1: Select country
Select your country, where will you use your evaluation for example “Canada“
Step 1.2: Start Application
Once you select your destination country for example Canada then clicks on “Start Application” in the column of “ECA Application for IRCC“.
Step 1.3: Write your email
Write an email that you want to register in the email column and click on “Next“, after clicking next you’ll get a one-time verification code in your mailbox.
Step 1.4: Fill the verification which you will receive in your email
Fill in the verification code in the “Verification Code” section and click on the “Submit Code” button.
Step 1.5: Verification completed
If your filling code is correct you’ll get a message “Verification Complete” on your screen, and click on continue to fill in your personal details.
Step 1.5: Fill your personal details
Fill in your all personal details including your first name, last name, date of birth, password, and security question and answer, and click on “Create Account“.
Step 2: Start your application
After clicking on “Create Account” in the previous section, you’ll be redirected to the application page where you need to fill in your personal details such as First Name, Last Name, Date of birth, Gender, Telephone(Your contact number), and click on “Next“.
Step 3: Your education details:
In this section, you have to fill out your education details. If you’re not aware of the document required for the WES Canada evaluation then click on “Document Required” according to your education for example Bachelor or Master. Otherwise, click on “Add Credential” to submit your education details, and fill out the form.
Step 3.1: Save your application
After filling in all your education details in the education details click on “save“.
Step 3.2: Add your credentials
If you want to add more education simply click on “Add Credential” again and fill out the form according to your education, and click on “Next“.
Step 4: Report Recipients.
Recipient 1: Your Residential Address
Simply, click on the “Add Your Address” button to add your current residential address. At this address, the evaluation report will be sent.
Recipient 2: Institution(s) receiving your report
Please add the immigration institution(s) you want to send your report to. There has been a “pre-approved list”. Immigration, refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are selected as a default. If you want to select more institutions(Usually for PNP) simply click on “Add Recipient” and select the name of the immigration institution.
Step 5: Your Evaluation and Fee
You can check the purpose of your evaluation example “Immigration“, and the fee of the WES evaluation.
Step 6: Required document checklist
In this section, a “Document Checklist” will be provided according to your university or college. The way to send documents to WES from the university varies from university to university. At the end of the page click “Next” for the next step. You can visit the official link to know about the document requirements for your assessment.
For example: In the first step, you need to upload your documents by clicking “My Account“. The required documents are a transcript(which must have all the subjects and numbers) or a mark sheet with your final degree. As you can see WES has established a relationship with the Lovely Professional University, so if your university established a relationship with the WES, you can request the university to send your documents electronically (No need to send documents physically).
Step 7: Review your application
Review your application example your personal details, education, and address. If you feel all the details are correct, select all the check boxes and click on “Next“
Step 8: Fee for the WES application
This is the final step where you have to pay your application fee. There are three options to pay for your WES credential application. If you want to pay by credit card select the option accordingly and click on “Submit“.
Step 9: Track your application for WES evaluation
Once the documents have been sent to WES officials, you can track your application using your reference number. In some cases, WES directly verifies your university documents. You can see the notification in your WES account. You can also ask the university to respond to their emails, which may incur an additional fee from the university.
Step 10: Receiving your WES report
Once the evaluation process is completed, you will receive an electronic copy in your WES account. The result will also be sent to your registered address. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can choose to file an objection.
WES Canada Evaluation Document Requirements: Complete Checklist
To ensure a smooth evaluation process, you’ll need the following documents:
- Official Transcripts: These must be sent directly from your educational institution to WES.
- Degree Certificates: Copies of your diploma or degree certificate may also be required.
- Translations: If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide a certified translation.
- Proof of Identity: In some cases, you may need to provide a copy of your passport or national ID. Always check the specific document requirements for your country and credential type on the WES website.
Wes Canada evaluation depends on the college or the university. You can simply visit wes document required official link to get the details according to your college. Use the official Documents Required Tool to check what types of documents you need for WES evaluation according to your qualification and university.
How to Send Documents to WES Canada: A Detailed Guide
To send your documents to WES Canada: Visit University or Collage
- Request Your Transcripts: Contact your educational institution to send your transcripts directly to WES. They should be sealed and signed by the issuing institution.
- Submit Documents Electronically: Some institutions can send transcripts electronically. Check with WES to see if this option is available for your school.
- Mailing: If mailing, ensure that documents are sealed and sent to the correct WES address provided in your application.
- Track Delivery: Use a reliable courier service that provides tracking to ensure your documents reach WES safely.
Read all instructions on what documents to send and to which address. Get your transcripts from your university or any other document listed according to your education. Visit your university for sealed and certified transcripts. The fee process varies from university to university.
You can also ask your university if they can send your transcripts directly to WES by using the “Academic Records Request Form” on the website. Before visiting, check if your university needs its own form also completed to release your documents. (do this after you get your WES reference number as you will need it if you are providing a WES address to the university to send your transcripts to, if you are collecting your transcripts yourself for mailing you can still get the reference number later).
On the other hand, If your institution does not have a digital arrangement with WES yet, then you can request to contact WES to explore possible electronic delivery methods. Some of the universities or collage only can send the marks sheets or transcripts by post to WES.
Make sure your transcripts are valid. Transcripts must include: all subjects taken, grades earned for each subject and for each year you were in the program. Semester transcripts are not valid for grading. Transcripts should be sealed and signed with the university stamp.
If your university doesn’t provide a transcript by subject, ask if you can get all your mark sheets certified by the university and they will sign and stamp all the photocopies and put them in one envelope and stamp them as transcripts. This is usually called document verification at the university
3. WES Canada Reports & Fees
Types of WES Canada Reports Explained: Which One Do You Need?
Types of WES Canada Reports Explained: Which One Do You Need?
WES Canada offers two main types of evaluation reports:
- Document-by-Document Report: Provides a description of each of your credentials, including the name of the credential, the awarding institution, and its Canadian equivalent.
- Course-by-Course Report: Includes detailed information about each course, such as grades, credits, and a Canadian equivalent grade. This report is often required for further education purposes. Choose the report type based on your goals—immigration, employment, or further education.
WES Canada Evaluation Fee: How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a WES Canada evaluation depends on the type of report you need:
- Document-by-Document Report: Approximately CAD $100-150.
- Course-by-Course Report: Around CAD $200-250. Additional fees may apply for expedited services, extra copies, or mailing services. It’s advisable to check the latest fee schedule on the WES website before applying.
WES Credential Evaluation Processing Time: How Long Does It Take?
The processing time for a WES evaluation varies but typically takes about 7-10 business days once all required documents are received. However, delays can occur if documents are not submitted correctly or if additional verification is needed. To avoid delays, ensure all documents meet WES requirements and track your application status online.
4. Post-WES Evaluation Information
WES Evaluation Report Validity: How Long is It Valid?
A WES evaluation report is generally valid indefinitely. However, for immigration purposes under the Express Entry system, the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report is valid for five years. After this period, you may need to renew or request a new evaluation if required by the immigration authorities.
Renewing Your WES ECA Report: A Simple Guide
To renew your WES ECA report:
- Log In to Your WES Account: Access your account on the WES website.
- Request Renewal: Look for the option to renew or extend the validity of your ECA report.
- Pay the Renewal Fee: Follow the instructions and pay the applicable fee.
- Receive Your Updated Report: Once processed, your updated ECA report will be available for use in your immigration application.
Sign in to My Account and select “Place Duplicate IRCC Order” from your control panel. Ordering additional copies of the ECA will extend the validity period for another five years.
Is WES Canada Evaluation Mandatory for Canada PR? Everything You Need to Know
Yes, a WES Canada evaluation is mandatory for applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and other immigration streams within the Express Entry system. The WES ECA report is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equivalent to a Canadian one. Without this evaluation, you cannot claim education points in your immigration application.
In conclusion, navigating the WES evaluation process is key for anyone aiming to study, work, or immigrate to Canada. By understanding the steps involved, from account creation to document submission, you can ensure a smooth evaluation experience. Start your WES journey today and take a significant step towards achieving your educational or professional goals in Canada. For further assistance, consult the WES website or our related resources. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or share your experiences!