In this guide
What is WES?
World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit organization founded in 1974, headquartered in New York (USA) and Toronto (Canada). It evaluates international academic credentials and translates them into their Canadian or US equivalents — helping students, immigrants, and professionals prove the value of their foreign degrees to universities, employers, and immigration authorities.
For Indian students, WES evaluation is most commonly required for Canadian immigration (Express Entry / Provincial Nominee Program), US graduate school admissions, and credential recognition for professional licensing boards.
WES USA
For US university admissions, professional licensing, and employer verification. Uses the US education equivalency framework.
WES Canada
Used for Canadian immigration (Express Entry), provincial nomination, and Canadian university admissions. IRCC-designated.
WES Gateway
Free resource on the WES website to verify if your foreign credential is recognized and understand its Canadian/US equivalent.
Why is WES evaluation needed?
Foreign academic credentials are not automatically recognized in Canada, the USA, or other countries. Universities, employers, and immigration authorities need a standardized evaluation to understand how your Indian degree compares to their local education system. WES bridges that gap.
Canadian Immigration (Express Entry)
IRCC requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Express Entry. WES is the most popular IRCC-approved ECA provider. It affects your CRS score — a higher Canadian equivalent = more points.
US University Admissions
Many US graduate programs and transfer admissions require a WES course-by-course evaluation to compare your Indian GPA, credit hours, and subjects to US standards.
Professional Licensing
Engineering, medical, accounting, and teaching licensing boards in Canada and the USA require credential evaluation before granting professional licenses to internationally trained applicants.
Employment Verification
Canadian and US employers often request WES reports during hiring to verify that your Indian degree is genuine and understand how it compares to local qualifications.
Types of WES evaluation
WES offers two main types of evaluations. Choose based on what the receiving institution or immigration authority specifically requires.
| Feature | Document-by-Document | Course-by-Course |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Basic / ECA Report | Detailed / Course-Level Report |
| What it evaluates | Degree title and Canadian/US equivalent level | All subjects, grades, credit hours, GPA conversion |
| Used for | Canadian immigration (Express Entry, PNP) | US graduate admissions, professional licensing, Canadian universities |
| Cost (Canada) | CAD 270 | CAD 330 |
| Cost (USA) | USD 160 | USD 225 |
| Processing time | 7 weeks (standard) | 7 weeks (standard) |
| Fastest option | 3 weeks (courier docs) | 3 weeks (courier docs) |
| Transcript required | All transcripts | All transcripts (with subject details) |
| Recommended for Indians | ✓ Immigration | ✓ University admissions |
How to apply for WES evaluation — step by step
The WES application process has two phases: the online application on the WES website, and the physical document submission (typically through your Indian university). Here's every step in detail.
Create a WES account
Go to wes.org (for Canada) or wes.org/us (for USA). Click "Create Account" and register with your email. Choose the correct country — WES Canada and WES USA are separate accounts with separate evaluation reports. You cannot transfer between them later.
Select the evaluation type
Choose between Document-by-Document (for immigration ECA) or Course-by-Course (for university admissions). Confirm with your receiving institution or IRCC before selecting. Also choose the number of WES copies — one is standard; extra copies cost additional fees.
Enter your academic history
Fill in details of all your educational qualifications — 10th, 12th, undergraduate degree, postgraduate (if applicable). For each, enter the institution name, year of passing, degree name, subjects, and grades. Ensure all details match exactly what appears on your official transcripts and certificates.
Pay the application fee
Pay online using a credit/debit card or net banking. Once payment is complete, WES will assign you a WES Reference Number — this is your unique ID for all future correspondence. You will also receive a document checklist for your specific qualifications. Save this reference number carefully.
Request documents from your Indian university
Contact your university's examination/registrar office and request official sealed transcripts to be sent directly to WES. For most Indian universities, transcripts must be sent in a sealed, university-stamped envelope. Many universities now offer an online/courier process. Provide your WES Reference Number to the university — they must write it on the envelope. Processing time at Indian universities: 2–8 weeks typically.
Arrange and send your personal documents
Collect your personal documents (degree certificate, marksheets, passport copy, etc.) and send them to WES directly. These can be sent via courier (DHL/FedEx recommended). Unlike university transcripts, personal documents need to be attested copies — typically self-attested or notarized, as specified in your WES checklist. WES address: see your WES account for the correct address based on Canada/USA.
WES receives and reviews your documents
Once WES receives all documents (both from you and your university), they verify authenticity, check completeness, and begin the evaluation. You can track the status of each document in your WES account dashboard in real time. WES will email you at each milestone.
Receive your WES evaluation report
After evaluation is complete (7 weeks standard, 3 weeks courier), WES sends your evaluation report electronically to your account and to the recipients you designated (e.g., IRCC, university). A PDF copy is available in your WES account. The report is valid indefinitely — you do not need to re-apply unless your academic records change.
Documents required for WES evaluation (India)
The documents required depend on which degrees you are submitting. The table below covers the most common scenario — an Indian student with a 10th + 12th + undergraduate degree (the standard for Canada Express Entry ECA).
| Document | Who sends it | Format required | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official university transcripts (semester/year-wise marksheets) | University registrar/exam office → directly to WES | Sealed, signed, stamped envelope from university. WES Reference Number on envelope. | Mandatory |
| Degree certificate / Provisional degree certificate | Applicant → WES | Clear photocopy — attested as per WES instructions. Both front and back. | Mandatory |
| 10th marksheet & certificate | Applicant → WES | Attested photocopy (CBSE/State board) | Mandatory |
| 12th marksheet & certificate | Applicant → WES | Attested photocopy (CBSE/ISC/State board) | Mandatory |
| Passport (bio-data page) | Applicant → WES | Clear photocopy. Self-attested. Valid passport preferred. | Mandatory |
| Postgraduate transcripts (if applicable) | University registrar → directly to WES | Sealed envelope, same as UG transcripts | If PG degree submitted |
| Migration certificate | Applicant → WES | Attested photocopy — may be required for some state universities | Sometimes required |
| Name change document (if name differs across certificates) | Applicant → WES | Gazette notification / affidavit / marriage certificate | If applicable |
| Diploma/Certificate course documents | Institution → directly to WES | Sealed transcripts from institution | If submitted |
WES evaluation cost breakdown 2026
WES fees are charged in Canadian dollars (CAD) for WES Canada and US dollars (USD) for WES USA. The base fee does not include courier charges or additional services like extra copies or rush processing.
| Fee item | WES Canada (CAD) | WES USA (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document-by-Document evaluation | CAD 270 | USD 160 | Includes 1 free electronic report sent to recipient |
| Course-by-Course evaluation | CAD 330 | USD 225 | Detailed GPA conversion, subject-level analysis |
| Additional electronic report copy | CAD 30 | USD 30 | Per additional recipient/copy |
| Physical (paper) report copy | CAD 30 | USD 30 | Mailed to applicant or recipient |
| Courier documents (faster processing) | CAD 100 | USD 100 | Reduces processing to ~3 weeks |
| University transcript courier | Paid separately to university | Paid separately to university | ₹500–₹2,000 typically at Indian universities |
| Document authentication/apostille | ₹300–₹1,000 per doc | ₹300–₹1,000 per doc | Sometimes required — check your WES checklist |
| Total estimated cost (Canada) | CAD 370–430 (≈ ₹22,000–₹26,000) |
— | Including courier + 1 recipient |
WES evaluation processing timeline
The total time from starting your WES application to receiving the final report typically ranges from 10 to 16 weeks for most Indian students. The longest delay is usually waiting for Indian universities to send sealed transcripts.
Fastest route — 5 to 6 weeks total
Pay for courier document processing (CAD 100 extra). Request sealed transcripts from your university via speed post/courier. Send personal documents via DHL/FedEx. All documents arrive at WES within 2 weeks → evaluation in 3 weeks.
Standard route — 12 to 16 weeks total
Most Indian students take 12–16 weeks because Indian universities take 4–8 weeks to dispatch sealed transcripts, followed by 7 weeks of WES standard processing. Plan well ahead of your visa or university application deadline.
Indian universities recognized by WES
WES recognizes degrees from accredited universities in India. Below is a comprehensive searchable list of Indian universities whose degrees WES accepts for evaluation. If your university is not on this list, contact WES directly — they may still evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
* This is a representative list. Actual WES-recognized institutions number in the hundreds. Always confirm at wes.org
Tips to avoid WES rejection or delays
Do NOT send documents before creating your WES account
Documents arriving at WES without a Reference Number will be discarded. Always complete Step 1–4 online first, then request documents from your university.
Name mismatch = instant rejection
Ensure your name is identical across your passport, degree certificate, and transcripts. Even a small difference (initials vs full name) can trigger a rejection. Submit a name change affidavit if needed.
Unsealed transcripts = rejection
Transcripts that are not in a sealed, stamped, signed envelope from your university will be rejected. Universities must send them directly — not via the student.
Submit ALL educational qualifications
Do not skip any degree or institution. If you did a 3-year diploma before your degree, include it. Omissions can lead to incomplete evaluation and delays.
Start 4 months before your deadline
Indian universities alone can take 6–8 weeks to dispatch transcripts. Add 7 weeks for WES processing. Starting 4 months before your visa/application deadline gives you buffer for any delays.
Use courier for documents — always
India Post to Canada can take 2–4 months. Use DHL or FedEx for both your personal documents and ask your university to use courier for sealed transcripts. This alone saves 6–10 weeks.
Frequently asked questions — WES evaluation
It is not legally mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Without an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) from WES or another approved DO, you will not receive CRS points for your foreign education. This significantly reduces your Express Entry score and chances of getting an ITA (Invitation to Apply). Most Express Entry candidates from India get WES ECA to maximize their CRS score.
WES evaluations do not expire — they are valid indefinitely for the qualifications evaluated. However, if you complete additional degrees or your name changes, you will need to update your WES application. Also note that some institutions and immigration programs set their own validity periods (e.g., IRCC may require ECA completed within a certain number of years for Express Entry).
Yes, in many cases. WES evaluates credentials from most recognized Indian universities — including many not explicitly listed on public reference lists. If WES cannot evaluate your credentials, they will inform you and provide a refund. Contact WES support at wes.org before applying if you are unsure about your institution.
WES Canada (wes.org) evaluates credentials against the Canadian education system and is approved by IRCC for immigration purposes. WES USA (wes.org/us) evaluates credentials against the US education system for university admissions and professional licensing. They are separate applications, separate fees, and separate reports. You cannot use a WES Canada report for US university admissions, and vice versa.
It depends on the document type. Official transcripts MUST be sent directly from your university in a sealed, stamped, signed envelope — not via the student. Your personal documents (degree certificate, marksheets, passport copy) are sent by you, as attested copies. Never open a sealed envelope from your university — send it as-is to WES.
This is one of the most important points for Indian students. A 3-year Indian bachelor's degree is typically evaluated as a 3-year Canadian Bachelor's degree — which is equivalent to a Canadian diploma or advanced diploma, NOT a full 4-year Canadian bachelor's degree. This can affect your CRS points and some professional licensing requirements. A 4-year Indian bachelor's degree is generally equivalent to a 4-year Canadian bachelor's.
WES evaluation is not required for education loan disbursement in India — banks and NBFCs require your admission letter, fee structure, and passport for processing. However, WES is often required for your Canadian student/PR visa or US F-1 visa admission, which comes before the loan. EduLoanHub can guide you on the complete documentation sequence — loan + WES + visa in the correct order. Call us at +91 9462613435.