World Education Services (WES) is a nonprofit organization specializing in credential evaluation for international students and immigrants seeking to study or work in the United States and Canada.
Established in 1974 and headquartered in New York, WES has become a leading provider in this field, evaluating over 200,000 credentials each year.
The organization plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the complexities of international education systems and aligning their qualifications with U.S. and Canadian standards.
Purpose and Function
WES aims to facilitate the recognition of foreign academic credentials by converting them into their U.S. or Canadian equivalents. This process is vital for individuals seeking further education or employment in these countries.
WES evaluations are advisory, meaning they provide nonbinding opinions on the equivalency of foreign credentials. WES maintains a comprehensive database that includes information on academic certificates from over 200 countries and 45,000 foreign institutions.
However, it operates independently without formal agreements with educational systems worldwide, ensuring impartiality in its evaluations.
Types of Evaluations
WES offers two primary types of evaluations:
- Document-by-Document Evaluation: This summarizes academic qualifications, including the institution’s name, year of degree completion, and field of study. The cost is approximately $100.
- Course-by-Course Evaluation: This evaluation includes all details from the Document-by-Document evaluation and adds a list of post-secondary courses along with their U.S. grade equivalents. It costs around $160.
Application Process
The application process for a WES evaluation involves several steps:
- Submitting an Application: Candidates fill out an application on the WES website and receive a reference number.
- Document Submission: Required documents must be compiled and sent to WES, typically through the candidate’s educational institution.
- Verification and Evaluation: WES verifies the authenticity of the documents and conducts the evaluation. The completed report is then sent to the designated institutions or recipients.
Steps for a Correct World Education Services Canada Application
To ensure a correct application for a World Education Services (WES) evaluation in Canada, follow these detailed steps:
Create an Account: Start by visiting the WES website and creating an account. Provide accurate contact information, as this will be essential for receiving updates regarding your evaluation.
Select Evaluation Type: Based on your needs, whether for education, immigration, or employment purposes, choose the appropriate type of evaluation. Understanding the differences between evaluation types is crucial for selecting the right one.
Enter Educational History: Fill in your educational history in detail, including all post-secondary institutions attended, degrees earned, and dates of attendance. Ensure that this information is accurate to avoid any delays.
Review Required Documents: Check the documents specific to your country of education and the type of evaluation you are applying for. WES provides detailed instructions that must be followed meticulously.
Document Authentication: Some documents may require authentication, such as notarization, depending on the country of origin. Ensure your documents are authentic and comply with WES guidelines to prevent delays or rejection.
Payment: Pay the required fee for your selected evaluation type. The fees typically range between CAD 150 and CAD 248, depending on the services chosen. Confirm that your payment method is accepted by WES.
Review Application: Before submitting your application, thoroughly review all the information and documents to confirm that everything is accurate and complete.
Submit Documents: Send your documents to WES. Note that WES does not accept documents directly from applicants; they must be sent from your educational institutions.
Track Your Application: After submission, you can log into your WES account to track the status of your evaluation. WES usually completes evaluations within seven business days after receiving all required documents, although this may vary based on the completeness of your application and any additional verification needed.
By following these steps carefully, you can minimize the risk of errors and ensure a smooth WES evaluation process for your educational credentials in Canada.
WES evaluation for Canada PR
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from World Education Services (WES) is required for individuals seeking permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
This evaluation helps to verify and translate foreign educational credentials into their Canadian equivalents, which is essential for meeting the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration programs.
Key Points about WES ECA for Canada PR:
Purpose: The WES ECA assesses degrees and diplomas earned outside of Canada, ensuring they are recognized appropriately within the Canadian education and employment framework.
Validity: The WES ECA is valid for five years from the date of issue, allowing it to be used for multiple immigration applications or educational pursuits.
Requirements: Applicants must typically submit their highest-earning credentials, although specific exceptions exist. To avoid delays, it is important to follow the document submission guidelines provided by WES.
Process: The evaluation process generally involves submitting an application, sending required documents (which must be sent directly from educational institutions), and paying the applicable fee, which ranges from CAD 150 to CAD 248, depending on the type of evaluation selected.
Obtaining a WES ECA is a critical step for anyone looking to immigrate to Canada, as it supports the recognition of international qualifications in the Canadian job market and educational institutions.
Different kinds of WES Evaluation Reports
World Education Services (WES) offers two primary types of evaluation reports for individuals seeking to have their foreign educational credentials assessed. Each type serves different purposes and provides varying levels of detail.
- Document-by-Document Evaluation
Purpose: This evaluation is suitable for employment applications, immigration purposes, and situations where advanced standing or transfer credit is not expected.
Contents:
- Identifies and describes each credential.
- Provides the U.S. equivalency for each credential.
- Includes information about the name of the credential, entry requirements, and program length.
Use Cases: Commonly used for job applications and immigration processes, this report offers a straightforward assessment of educational qualifications without detailed course information.
- Course-by-Course Evaluation
Purpose: This report is ideal for individuals applying for transfer and graduate admissions, as well as for licensing and certification boards.
Contents:
- Identifies and describes each credential.
- Lists all courses completed at the post-secondary level, including U.S. semester credit and grade equivalents for each course.
- Provides a calculated U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and designates each undergraduate course’s level (upper or lower).
Use Cases: This detailed evaluation is necessary for higher education admissions where a comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s coursework is required.
Recommended Packages
Both evaluation types can be enhanced with the International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP), which includes features such as storing verified transcripts for easy sending later and providing a WES digital badge for online credential verification.
Document-by-Document ICAP: Approximately CAD 160.
Course-by-Course ICAP: Approximately CAD 225.
These evaluations are essential for individuals looking to further their education or gain employment in the U.S. or Canada, as they help institutions and employers understand the equivalency of foreign educational credentials.
Importance in Immigration
World Education Services (WES) evaluations are crucial for immigrants seeking to have their foreign educational credentials recognized in Canada. Here are the key reasons why a WES evaluation is important for immigration:
Meeting Immigration Requirements
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) require a WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for certain immigration programs. The ECA helps verify that an applicant’s foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian credential, which is necessary to meet eligibility criteria for programs like Express Entry.
Gaining Recognition for Education
The WES ECA officially recognizes an immigrant’s foreign education, allowing them to pursue their goals in Canada. It helps demonstrate the equivalency of their credentials to Canadian standards, which is important for further education, employment, and professional licensing.
Qualifying for Immigration Pilots
A WES ECA is required to qualify for specific immigration pilots, such as the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. By obtaining an ECA, immigrants can meet the educational requirements set out by these programs and improve their chances of being selected for permanent residence.
Validity for Future Use
A WES ECA is valid for five years from the date of issue. This allows immigrants to use the same assessment for multiple immigration applications or educational pursuits during that timeframe without needing a new evaluation.
Trusted by Authorities
The WES evaluation process is thorough and ensures that the resulting report is fair, accurate, and trusted by government agencies, academic institutions, professional licensing bodies, and employers in Canada.
This makes the ECA an essential document for immigrants to include in their visa applications. WES evaluation is crucial for immigrants seeking to have their foreign credentials recognized in Canada.
It helps meet immigration requirements, gain recognition for education, qualify for specific programs, and have a trusted assessment that is valid for future use.
WES serves as a vital resource for international students and professionals, aiding them in translating their educational achievements into recognized qualifications in North America.
By providing detailed evaluations, WES helps facilitate educational and career opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, thus contributing to the global mobility of talent.
