If you’re planning to study, work, or immigrate to the U.S. or Canada, a WES Evaluation is a crucial step in the process. But what exactly is WES, and why is it important?
World Education Services (WES) is an organisation that assesses international academic credentials, ensuring they are recognised in North America.

For students and professionals moving abroad, this evaluation helps convert foreign qualifications into their U.S. or Canadian equivalents, making it easier to apply to universities, jobs, and immigration programs.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about WES Evaluation—including the process, costs, required documents, and validity period to help you navigate your application with confidence. Let’s dive in!

What is WES Evaluation?    

A WES Evaluation is a credential assessment conducted by World Education Services (WES) to compare foreign academic qualifications to U.S. and Canadian education standards. It helps universities, employers, and immigration authorities accurately assess an applicant’s educational background.

Also known as an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), this evaluation verifies the authenticity of academic credentials and provides an equivalency report that aligns them with North American standards.

The evaluation process includes:

• Verification of academic documents for authenticity
• Comparison of foreign qualifications to U.S. or Canadian education levels
• GPA equivalency calculation for academic applications
• Credential assessment to help institutions and employers interpret your education background

With partnerships across 48,000+ educational institutions in over 200 countries, WES has evaluated more than 4 million credentials, making it the largest and most widely accepted credential assessment service in North America.

WES for Evaluation: Why You Need it?  

A World Education Services (WES) Evaluation is essential for international students, professionals, and immigrants seeking to study, work, or settle in the United States and Canada. It helps convert your foreign academic credentials into U.S. and Canadian equivalents, ensuring that universities, employers, and immigration authorities can accurately assess your qualifications.

1. WES for Evaluation: Recognising Your Academic Credentials  

A World Education Services evaluation translates your international qualifications into North American standards, making them easier to understand for institutions and employers.

2. University Admissions with a WES Evaluation  

Many universities require a WES for evaluation to verify that applicants meet the necessary academic standards, especially for graduate programs with strict entry requirements.

3. Boosting Employment Opportunities  

A World Education Services evaluation provides employers with a verified academic credential report, ensuring your qualifications are properly recognised in the U.S. and Canada.

4. Meeting Licensing Requirements  

Professional bodies in fields like healthcare, engineering, and education often require a WES evaluation to determine if an applicant's degree meets licensing standards.

5. Immigration & Permanent Residency with WES for Evaluation  

A WES Evaluation is a key requirement for skilled migration programs like Canada’s Express Entry, helping immigration authorities assess your educational equivalency.

6. Enhanced Credibility & Recognition  

A World Education Services evaluation adds legitimacy to your academic history, increasing your chances of success in university applications, job searches, and immigration processes.

WES Evaluation Fee: Cost Breakdown & Additional Charges    

The WES Evaluation fee depends on the type of assessment you choose and any additional services required. WES offers two primary evaluation types: Document-by-Document and Course-by-Course, each with different pricing and benefits. 

Types of  WES Evaluations

WES offers different types of credential evaluations based on your purpose—such as education, employment, licensing, or immigration. Each type provides a specific level of detail, from a general degree equivalency to a full course-by-course breakdown with GPA.

• Document-by-Document Evaluation: Provides the U.S. or Canadian equivalency of your credential. Primarily used for first-year university admissions, employment, and U.S. immigration.
• Course-by-Course Evaluation: Offers a detailed breakdown of your courses, grades, and a calculated GPA on a 4.0 scale. Essential for graduate admissions, transfer admissions, and professional licensing boards (excluding CPA).
• CPA Supplemental Report: Specifically designed to analyse business and accounting courses for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams in the U.S. and Canada.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for IRCC: A mandatory report for Canadian immigration purposes, especially for Express Entry pathways, verifying foreign degrees against Canadian standards.
• WES Global Verification Record for NZQA: Tailored credential assessment for New Zealand.
• Pathways to Teach Canada: A specific credential assessment for those seeking to teach in Canada.

WES Evaluation Fee Structure

WES evaluation fees have been revised from January 1, 2025 with a 3% increase to reflect inflation. The updated pricing depends on the type of evaluation chosen and any additional services such as ICAP or international courier delivery.

WES Evaluation Fee Structure (USD vs CAD vs INR)

Notes:  

• Conversion Rates Used:
  • $1 USD = ₹83
  • $1 CAD = ₹61 
• Prices are approximate and do not include taxes (e.g. 13% HST in Canada) or university transcript sending charges.
• Currency rates fluctuate daily, so actual INR charged may vary at checkout depending on your bank/payment platform.

WES Evaluation Process: Step-by-Step Guide    

After paying the WES evaluation fee, the next step is completing the WES evaluation process. This process ensures that your academic credentials are accurately assessed and matched to U.S. or Canadian standards.

Step 1: Apply Online & Get a WES Reference Number  

• Visit the official WES website and complete the online application.
• After applying, you will receive a WES reference number, which you must use in all future communications and document submissions.

Step 2: Submit Your Academic Documents  

• Check Required Documents: WES provides a list of documents needed based on your country and education history.
• Send Documents Through Your Institution: Your academic institution must send official transcripts directly to WES, either electronically or via a designated courier.
• WES Receives & Verifies Documents: WES reviews and verifies the authenticity of your submitted documents.

Step 3: Credential Evaluation by WES  

• Once WES has received and reviewed all required documents, the evaluation process begins.
• Evaluation specialists assess your credentials based on country-specific education systems.
• A draft evaluation report is generated, and you can track your evaluation progress in your WES account.
• If needed, WES may request further verification from the issuing institutions.

Step 4: WES Evaluation Report & Delivery  

• Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a detailed report that can be used for university admissions, employment, or immigration.

General Processing Time:

• Document-by-Document and Course-by-Course evaluations generally take 7 business days once WES receives and accepts all required documents.
• Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for Canadian immigration (IRCC) typically take 35 business days after WES receives and verifies the application and payment.
• The overall timeline can be longer, as it depends on how quickly your issuing institution sends documents to WES. A realistic total timeline, from initiating your request with your university to receiving the final WES report, can be 3 to 5 months.

Additional Tools & Services:

• • WES International Grade Point Average (iGPA) Calculator: A free online tool to convert international grades into the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale.
  • Free Degree Comparison Tool: Helps you see how your international university degrees compare to U.S. or Canadian degrees.
  • WES Digital Badge: A verifiable, web-enabled version of your credential evaluation for enhanced visibility and recognition (available with ICAP).
  • WES Gateway Program: Provides an alternative credential assessment for individuals displaced by adverse circumstances who have limited proof of academic achievements.

Validity of WES Evaluation: How Long Does It Last?    

A WES credential evaluation is generally valid for life for academic and employment purposes in the U.S. and Canada. However, for immigration-related uses—such as Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry—the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

If your ECA expires and you still wish to use it for immigration, you’ll need to apply for a renewal or a new evaluation.

WES Evaluation Validity for Different Purposes:

The validity of a WES evaluation depends on the purpose for which it is being used. Here's a breakdown:

Note: While academic and professional uses don’t have a fixed expiry, it’s always best to check with the receiving institution or employer in case they have specific requirements.

How to Keep Your WES Evaluation Accessible  

• Upgrade to WES ICAP: This service stores your transcripts permanently, so you don’t have to resubmit documents for future use.

• Request Additional Copies: You can order extra copies of your WES report anytime for university or job applications.
• Check Specific Institution Policies: Always verify with your university, employer, or immigration body to ensure they accept your WES report.

A WES evaluation is a lifelong asset for academic and career opportunities. If you need it for Canadian immigration, ensure you apply within the 5-year validity period.

Types of WES Evaluation Reports: Which One Do You Need?    

When applying for a WES credential evaluation, it's important to select the right type of report based on your academic, professional, or immigration goals. Each evaluation type serves a specific purpose and includes different levels of detail.

1. Document-by-Document Evaluation  

This basic evaluation outlines each of your academic credentials and their U.S. or Canadian equivalency.

• Ideal for: Employment, immigration, and undergraduate admissions
• Includes: Degree name, institution, and equivalent level in North America
• Note: Does not include subject-wise grades or GPA

2. Course-by-Course Evaluation  

A more detailed report that includes a breakdown of each subject, grades, and cumulative GPA.

• Ideal for: Graduate school applications, professional licensing, and credentialing bodies
• Includes: Course titles, credits earned, grades, and GPA on a U.S./Canadian scale
• Note: Often required by universities for master’s or doctoral admissions

3. ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) for Canada Immigration  

Required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry and other PR pathways.

• Ideal for: Permanent Residency applications to Canada
• Includes: Assessment as per IRCC criteria and valid for 5 years
• Note: Helps claim education-related points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

4. ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package)  

An optional service that offers added benefits like secure document storage and direct delivery to institutions.

• Ideal for: Students applying to multiple universities over time
• Includes: Verified transcripts stored by WES, digital report sharing, and future access
• Note: ICAP is especially useful if you plan to apply to several institutions or need your documents sent again in the future without resubmitting them.

Choosing the Right WES Evaluation Report 

If you are unsure which WES report to choose, consider the specific requirements of your institution, employer, or immigration authority.

Documents Required for WES Credit Evaluation    

To complete a WES evaluation, applicants must submit specific academic documents based on their country of education. These documents help WES verify and assess academic credentials against U.S. or Canadian standards.

Commonly Required Documents  

1. Academic Transcripts – Official mark sheets or transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution.
2. Degree Certificates – Copies of the awarded degree or diploma.
3. Translation (if applicable) – If the documents are in a non-English language, certified translations are required.
4. Identification Documents – A valid government-issued ID (passport, national ID, or driver's license).

Each country has different documentation requirements, so applicants should check the official WES website for country-specific guidelines.

Challenges to WES Evaluation    

While WES evaluations streamline the credential recognition process, applicants may face certain challenges:

1. Document Submission Issues – Many institutions require direct submission, which can cause delays if universities are slow to respond.
2. Verification Delays – Some applications take longer if WES needs additional verification from issuing institutions.
3. Rejected or Incomplete Applications – Incorrectly submitted or missing documents can lead to rejections or delays.
4. Processing Time Variability – Depending on the volume of applications and document verification requirements, WES processing times may take longer than expected.

List of Universities Requiring WES Evaluation    

Many universities in the United States and Canada require WES evaluations to assess international students' qualifications. Some top institutions include:

United States  

• New York University (NYU)
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• Northeastern University
• Purdue University

Canada  

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• McGill University
• University of Waterloo
• York University

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Conclusion  

A WES evaluation is key to having your academic credentials recognised for study, work, or immigration in the U.S. or Canada. With the right guidance and planning, the process becomes smooth and efficient. For expert help with WES, study abroad, or financial planning, invest4Edu offers complete support—making your international goals easier to achieve.