A Comprehensive Guide on WES Evaluation

Every international student is aware of the challenges and rigorous application process that come with pursuing higher education abroad.

Aspirants from Canada and the United States, however, have a swift evaluation process, making it easy for them to equate their studies with the education system of the United States.

World Education Services (WES) provides credential evaluation for individuals from around the world seeking to pursue further studies in the United States.

The evaluation report provided by them is noteworthy and accepted in institutes in Canada and the United States.

What is WES Evaluation?

A WES evaluation represents an academic credential evaluation conducted by World Education Services. This non-profit organisation assesses credentials for international students and immigrants wishing to study or work in the United States and Canada.

It makes your academic credentials, such as degrees, diplomas, and transcripts, understandable and acceptable to employers, educational institutions, and immigration authorities by translating them into their equivalents in the US or Canada.

 WES evaluations are especially important for students applying to WES USA or Canada immigration programs, where the WES evaluation cost and process depend on the type of service chosen.

Types of WES Credential Evaluation

The main WES types of evaluation are designed to meet different academic and professional needs:

Document-by-Document: Provides a summary of each credential (degree, diploma, etc.), which is helpful for job requirements or immigration purposes.

Course-by-Course: Includes detailed course-level information, such as credits earned and GPA equivalency, and is recommended for graduate admissions.

WES Evaluation Processing Fees

The WES evaluation cost depends on the type of credential report selected, as well as any additional services, such as delivery or rush processing.

• WES Basic evaluation starts at USD 115 for Document-by-Document (Basic)
• WES Basic Course-by-Course (Basic) is USD 182
• If you upgrade to ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) while the evaluation is still in progress, the additional cost is USD 51.

Additional Fees include:

• Standard delivery: USD 13
• Courier / international courier: USD 84
• Sealed envelope (per envelope): USD 8
• Duplicate reports (ordered at application): USD 34
• Updating a finished assessment (e.g., upgrading type, adding credentials) 90 USD

WES Evaluation Processing Time

The WES processing time begins only after all required documents are received, verified, and accepted. According to WES:

• Credential evaluations typically take seven business days to complete once documentation and payment are verified for both U.S. and Canadian assessments.

• Processing may take longer if additional steps are needed, such as document verification or communication with issuing institutions.

Students with urgent deadlines can opt for the WES rush service, which significantly reduces the overall processing time for WES.

Who is eligible for WES? 

If any of the following apply to you, you can apply for a credential evaluation:

• You are an international student planning to study in the United States or Canada, and your university requires a Course-by-Course or ECA assessment, depending on the destination.
  
• You are a skilled professional or immigrant applying through programs like Express Entry, where an educational credential assessment is necessary for verification. Explore Canada PR pathways.
  
• You have completed at least one post-secondary program and can submit the required documents, such as official transcripts and degree certificates from recognised institutions.

WES Requirement for USA and Canada

• A WES evaluation is not always mandatory, but in most cases, it becomes a crucial step for studying, immigrating, or working abroad.

• United States (Admissions & Jobs): To verify that degrees earned abroad are comparable to those earned in the US educational system, a WES credential evaluation report is required by many US colleges and employers.
  
  When professionals apply for jobs in the United States, it verifies their qualifications. It ensures that students in the United States will have their academic background taken into consideration during the admissions process. Learn how to work with a US student visa.
  
• Canada Immigration, Universities & Licensing Bodies: When applying for permanent residence in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Earning points in the Express Entry system is needed, and WES is one of the designated organizations authorized to award ECAs.
  
  A WES credential review is also required by many Canadian universities and professional licensing bodies, in addition to immigration, to assess eligibility for advanced academic programs or regulated professions. 

Documents Required for WES Credential Evaluation

You must submit a set of academic and identity documents. A list of frequently Essential documents is provided below:

• Degree Certificate: A copy of the certificate, either provisional or final, attesting to your academic program’s completion.
  
• Academic Transcripts/Mark Sheets: Issued over all academic years by your institution or university.
  Typically, these documents need to be submitted in a sealed envelope and sent directly to WES.
  
• Certified English or French Translation: If your documents are issued in another language, you must provide a certified translation as per WES guidelines.

Note – In some cases, the WES Academic Records Request Form must be completed and submitted to your academic institution.

All academic records must be sent in sealed, signed envelopes directly from your institution to WES. You can preview the list of documents here: WES Required Documents.

Step-by-Step WES Evaluation Process Guide

1. Go to the WES website:

Begin by visiting www.wes.org, the official website of World Education Services.

This page contains comprehensive information regarding the credential evaluation procedure, such as the available evaluation kinds, necessary paperwork, costs, and processing time

2. Create Account:

You must first register for an account on the WES website to begin the application process.

This account will serve as your primary point of contact for submitting papers, tracking the progress of your assessment, and receiving updates from WES throughout the process.

3. Choose Your Evaluation Type:

WES offers a range of evaluation options, including Course-by-Course and Document-by-Document, for IRCC Canada. 

Select the assessment type that best suits your needs, whether for academic admission in the USA or immigration/education in Canada.

This ensures the evaluation meets the requirements of your chosen institution or authority.

4. Collect Required Papers:

Review the list of papers and required documents for WES evaluation, corresponding to the type you selected.

Official transcripts, degree diplomas, and other academic records from your schools are usually included in this.

5. Document Submission:

After obtaining the necessary paperwork, upload it to your WES account using the given procedures.

For initial assessment, WES accepts electronic copies of papers; however, later in the process, you may need to submit physical copies for verification.

6. Pay the Evaluation cost:

There is an assessment evaluation cost associated with each kind of evaluation that WES does, commonly referred to as the WES evaluation fee.

Make a secure credit or debit card payment through the official website to cover the required amount.

Please review the fee schedule and WES’s payment options.

7. Follow Application Status:

Using your online dashboard, you can track the progress of your evaluation after submitting your application and payment.

WES will keep you informed about the status of your review and forward any further paperwork or data that may be required.

8. Obtain Evaluation Report:

Following the completion of the evaluation procedure, WES will provide an evaluation report outlining how well your international qualifications translate into the US or Canadian educational systems.

As requested, the report can also be delivered directly to immigration authorities or educational institutions. It will be sent to you electronically via your secure account portal.

9.  Monitor Your WES Evaluation Online

Log in to your WES account after submitting your application to track every step of the review procedure, from document reception to report creation. Additionally, the official website offers useful resources, such as the iGPA Calculator and the Degree Equivalency Tool, which enable you to compare your academic credentials with those in the USA and Canada. Even before your evaluation report is complete, you can use these resources to help you plan for admissions, employment, or permanent residence in Canada. 

Key Points for WES Evaluation

Read and study the process as much as you can before applying. Some of the tips that might come in handy are to Research and adhere to the application deadlines of your target institutions or immigration programs.

• Verify and gather all required documents specified by both WES and your intended institutions.
• Request additional official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended to expedite the processing.
• Opt for rush processing if you have urgent deadlines to meet, for a quicker evaluation turnaround.
• Provide certified translations for non-English academic documents, following evaluation service guidelines.
• Maintain regular communication with WES and respond promptly to any inquiries or requests for information.
• Keep track of your application status by logging into your WES Dashboard regularly.
• Review all entered information for accuracy before submitting your application to avoid delays in your WES evaluation process.
• Consider using the International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) by WES for streamlined graduate admissions, especially if applying to the USA or immigrating to Canada.
• If applying to multiple institutions, budget and allocate time for additional evaluations accordingly.

Conclusion

To explore academic or professional opportunities in the United States or Canada, international students are often required to undergo a World Education Services (WES) evaluation and must first take a WES examination. It lends legitimacy to your international academic qualifications and makes it easier for you to enter universities, the workforce, and immigration procedures by offering a standardised assessment.

With a WES evaluation, take advantage of the chance to clearly and firmly demonstrate your credentials and give yourself the confidence you need to follow your aspirations. With WES at your side, take the first step toward opening up a world of opportunities and achieving your goals right now.

Begin Your WES Application Today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long is WES valid for?

In the US, a credential evaluation report from WES has an indefinite validity period for professional and academic purposes. The Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report is valid for five years for immigration to Canada, as mandated by the IRCC.

Reviewing the particular examination procedure that applies to your objective is crucial, regardless of whether it is for academic studies or permanent residency.

Does WES need IELTS?

No, neither the IELTS nor any other English language competency exam is necessary for the review procedure. Its only goal is to confirm your academic background.

However, some Canadian universities or immigration programs may require IELTS as a separate requirement, not directly linked to the submitted documents.

Can I track my WES evaluation status online?

Yes, you can track your status online via your account on the official website. From document receipt to verification and report generation, each step of the processing timeline is updated in real time.

Whether it’s related to the evaluation fee, document checklist, or delivery status, your dashboard keeps you informed throughout the process.

Can I do a WES evaluation for free?

No, the service is not free. There is an evaluation fee depending on the type you choose, such as Document-by-Document or Course-by-Course for the USA, or ECA for Canada.

The fee includes the cost of evaluating your academic records and issuing official reports. You can check the latest pricing and service options on the official website.

Does WES offer translation services for documents in foreign languages?

No, WES does not translate documents. If your academic records are not in English, you must submit an official, word-for-word English translation.WES uses these translated documents, along with the originals, to carry out its credential evaluation.

What happens if a student submits fake or fraudulent academic documents to WES?

If WES determines that any submitted documents are fraudulent or not authentic, the application is immediately cancelled.WES also informs the applicant and any institution or organisation that the applicant selected to receive the evaluation report.

Does WES offer rush service?

Yes. To expedite the processing of applications, WES offers a rush service. With this option, after all necessary documents are received and validated, your review can be finished in as little as three business days. The cost of expedited service varies according to the type of review and whether further verification is required.

Can I upgrade my WES evaluation report later?

Yes. You can switch from a Document-by-Document evaluation to a Course-by-Course evaluation without submitting a new application if that was your initial request. With WES, you can upgrade straight from your account and pay the difference in fees. This choice can be helpful if you initially applied for a job or immigration and then need a thorough report for university admission.