WES Evaluation Canada 2026: How to Get Your Degree Assessed Step by Step

World Education Services (WES) is the most widely recognized Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) organization for Canadian immigration. If you completed any post-secondary education outside Canada and are applying through Express Entry, a WES evaluation is mandatory. Here is exactly how to get it done.

When Do You Need a WES Evaluation?

• Express Entry (FSW, CEC, FST programs): mandatory for any post-secondary education completed outside Canada
• Many Provincial Nominee Programs: required or strongly recommended
• Canadian employers: increasingly requested to verify international degrees
• Professional licensing: some regulatory bodies accept WES evaluations as proof of academic equivalency

Step-by-Step WES Application Process

• Step 1: Create an account at wes.org/ca and select "Immigration to Canada" as your purpose
• Step 2: Choose your evaluation type — ECA (for immigration) or Course-by-Course (for employment or study)
• Step 3: Pay the fee — $260 CAD for ECA, $330 for Course-by-Course
• Step 4: Order official transcripts sent directly from your institution to WES (this step takes longest — many foreign universities take 4–12 weeks)
• Step 5: Upload additional required documents — degree certificates, translation if needed
• Step 6: Track your application status in your WES account dashboard

How Long Does WES Take in 2026?

• Document-by-Document ECA: 7–10 business days after all documents are received
• Course-by-Course: 15–20 business days
• The biggest delay is always getting transcripts from your foreign institution — start this immediately

💡 Pro Tip: 💡 Order transcripts before you pay WES: Contact your institution for transcript sending procedures before you create your WES account. Some universities in certain countries require payment, notarization, or in-person requests that take weeks. Start the transcript process first — WES can wait.