How to Get Your WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Planning to work, study, or immigrate to the U.S. with a foreign degree? An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from World Education Services (WES) can be a critical first step to showcase the value of your international education. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through each step of obtaining an ECA through WES – from creating your profile to receiving your report – with tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and handy tools to make the process smoother.

Whether you need an evaluation for a visa application, college admissions, or a new job, this blog-style guide will help you navigate the WES process confidently. Let’s get started!

1. Introduction to ECA & WES

What is an ECA? An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is an official report that evaluates your foreign education (degrees, diplomas, certificates, transcripts) and certifies what they are equivalent to in another country’s system. In the context of U.S. immigration and employment, an ECA (often just called a credential evaluation) verifies that your overseas degree is comparable to a U.S. degree. For example, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or employers might require proof that your bachelor’s degree abroad is equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. In Canadian immigration (Express Entry), an ECA is mandatory to claim education points. Essentially, an ECA bridges the gap between education systems.

Who are WES? World Education Services (WES) is a leading nonprofit organization that provides credential evaluations. They are officially designated by Canada’s IRCC for immigration ECAs and widely accepted in the United States by universities, employers, and licensing boards. A WES credential evaluation report gives a verified summary of your academic achievements and shows their U.S. or Canadian equivalence. This report helps schools, employers, and immigration officials understand your educational background and ensures your credentials are authentic. In other words, WES acts as a trusted translator of your education into terms U.S. institutions recognize.

Why do you need it? If you plan to immigrate to the U.S. for work (e.g., H-1B visa), many petitions require a credential evaluation to prove you meet the degree requirements of the specialty occupation. Universities often ask for WES evaluations for international applicants to ensure your prior education meets admissions standards. Likewise, professional licensing bodies (for fields like engineering, nursing, teaching, etc.) might require a WES report to verify your foreign qualifications. Even some employers request an evaluation during hiring to validate your education. By obtaining an ECA from WES, you essentially convert your foreign academic history into an American equivalent, which can be critical for visa approvals, getting accepted into programs, or landing jobs.

ECA vs. Standard Credential Evaluation: Technically, “ECA” is a term often used for Canadian immigration purposes. For U.S. purposes, you might simply request a Document-by-Document or Course-by-Course evaluation (we’ll explain these types shortly). However, the overall process with WES is similar. The ECA report (for IRCC) or the WES evaluation report (for U.S. use) will state what your credentials are equal to (e.g., “Bachelor’s degree equivalent in the United States”). Both serve the goal of recognizing your foreign credentials in North America.

Validity: A WES evaluation has long-term value. In Canada, an ECA is valid for five years for immigration. In the U.S., there’s no set expiration, but institutions typically accept evaluations that are a few years old. WES also stores your verified documents, especially if you choose the ICAP service, so you can request additional copies or updates in the future if needed.

2. Creating a WES Profile

Step 1: Register on the WES Website.

To begin, go to the official WES website and create an account. You’ll typically find a “Get an Evaluation” or “Apply Now” button on WES’s site (for U.S. evaluations, ensure you’re on the WES USA portal). Fill in the initial registration form with your email address and a secure password, then verify your email. WES will send a confirmation link – click it to activate your new account. This verification is important to ensure you can receive updates about your application.

Step 2: Provide Personal Details.

After verifying your email, continue setting up your profile by entering personal information such as your full name (exactly as it appears on your academic documents and passport), date of birth, and contact details (mailing address and phone). Make sure to double-check spelling and accuracy – these details will appear on your evaluation report, and any discrepancy (like a different name spelling than on your transcripts) could cause confusion or delays. WES will use this information to identify your file and communicate with you, so it must be correct.

Identity Verification: WES may not require an extensive ID verification at the profile creation stage beyond your email, but they will use your name and birth date to match documents. It’s a good idea to have your passport or government ID on hand to ensure consistency in how you enter your name (for example, include all surnames or given names as listed in official records).

Choosing the Right WES Service Region: When creating your profile, WES will ask where your credential evaluation is intended for – U.S. or Canada. Since this guide is for U.S. purposes, make sure you select the WES U.S. option (WES has a separate process for Canada). If you accidentally create a Canada-bound application when you needed a U.S. evaluation (or vice versa), you might have to start over, so be careful here. 

Tip: If you plan to apply in both countries, you will need two separate WES applications – one for WES USA and one for WES Canada, as they have slightly different requirements and report formats.

3. Filling in Your Educational Details

With your account ready, the next step is to enter your academic history. This is a crucial part of the application, as WES will determine what documents you need and how to evaluate your credentials based on the information you provide.

Step 3: Add Your Credentials.

Inside your WES account, begin a New Application for credential evaluation. You’ll be prompted to enter details about your education. Be prepared with information like:

• Institution Name: The official name of the university/college you attended. (For example, “University of Mumbai” or “Beijing University of Technology”). Make sure to select the exact institution from WES’s dropdown list if available, to avoid confusion.
• Level of Education & Credential Name: Specify the level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., etc.) and the title of the degree/diploma you earned (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science). Use the exact wording from your diploma or transcripts if possible.
• Major/Program: Your field of study or major (e.g., Computer Science, Electrical Engineering).
• Dates Attended: The month and year you started and finished the program. If you’re unsure of the exact month, use approximate ones but ensure the years are correct.
• Year of Award: The year you graduated or the degree was awarded.

If you have studied at multiple institutions or earned multiple degrees, WES allows you to add all relevant credentials. For instance, if you have both a bachelor’s and a master’s from different universities, you can input both separately.
Be thorough: any credential you want evaluated should be listed here. Once you add a school and degree, the system may automatically show what documents are typically required from that institution (or we will see that in the document stage).

Highest Credential First (General Rule): For immigration-focused ECAs, WES often only needs your highest completed credential. For example, if you have a master’s degree, you usually do not need to send your bachelor’s as well​. The idea is that a higher degree supersedes the lower ones for evaluation purposes. However, there are exceptions. Notably, if your master’s is from certain countries (like India), WES may require your bachelor’s documents too for verification​. Specifically, if you earned a master’s or postgraduate diploma in India, you must also provide your bachelor’s degree documentation unless your highest degree is an M.Phil, M.Tech, M.Ed, M.Eng, or PhD (in those cases WES will accept just the highest degree)​. Always check the WES Required Documents tool for each credential to know what’s needed.

If you’re seeking a course-by-course evaluation for education or licensing purposes (rather than an IRCC ECA), you might want to include all post-secondary education to get a complete report of courses and grades.
For example, a U.S. university might require a breakdown of your undergraduate coursework. In that case, even if you have a higher degree, include the undergraduate degree as well so it can be evaluated with course details.

Double-Check Details: Common mistakes at this stage include selecting the wrong institution (some schools have similar names) or entering a slightly incorrect degree name. Make sure the information matches your documents. If your transcript says “B.Tech” and you choose “Bachelor of Engineering,” that’s usually fine as they are equivalent, but be consistent if possible. Avoid typos in your registration number or roll number (if asked) and in dates. Incorrect info here could lead WES to request clarification later, delaying your report.

Once all entries are added, WES will generate a list of required documents for each credential. Take note of this list (you can also access it later in your account). It will specify exactly what you need to submit for each school/degree – for example, “Transcript issued by [University Name] in a sealed envelope” or perhaps “Degree certificate photocopy” depending on the country.

Section of the WES application where educational credentials are entered, showing fields for institution, degree, dates, etc.

4. Payment and Obtaining Your WES Reference Number

After entering your education details and intended recipients, you will proceed to select an evaluation package and make the payment. This step will confirm your order and generate your all-important WES Reference Number.

Select Your Evaluation Package: WES offers different types of evaluation reports. For U.S. purposes, the two main types are:

• Document-by-Document (DxD) – Summarizes each credential you have (provides an equivalent degree for each, without course-level detail). This is often sufficient for general immigration or employment purposes where only the highest degree’s equivalency is needed.
• Course-by-Course (CxC) – Includes everything in a Document-by-Document, plus detailed listing of courses, credits, and grades, and calculates a U.S. GPA equivalent. This is typically required for university admissions or professional licensure that needs to see your academic performance in detail.

Within each type, you can choose WES Basic vs. WES ICAP:

• Basic – A one-time evaluation report. (You get a report for yourself and whoever you chose as recipients, but WES does not store your official transcripts for future use).
• ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) – A slightly pricier option where WES stores your verified transcripts and you can later request additional report copies sent to other institutions without needing to resend documents. ICAP also comes with a digital badge and is useful if you anticipate needing to send your evaluation to multiple places over time.

For example, as of early 2025, a Document-by-Document evaluation costs roughly $115 USD (Basic) or $166 USD (ICAP), and a Course-by-Course evaluation is about $182 USD (Basic) or $233 USD (ICAP). Prices do update periodically (WES announced a small increase in 2025 due to inflation), so check the latest fees. The system will show you the exact cost before you pay. Note: If you’re doing an IRCC ECA for Canada, that is essentially a Document-by-Document evaluation under the WES Canada process, also priced similarly (around $258 CAD as of recent data).

Complete the Payment: Once you’ve chosen the report type, you’ll move to the payment page. WES accepts major credit/debit cards and sometimes online payment services or bank transfers (such as Convera/Western Union) for international applicants. Enter your payment information on the secure portal and submit. Make sure the name on the card matches or you’ve cleared it with your bank for an international charge if you’re abroad, to avoid the payment failing.

After payment is processed, WES will confirm your order. At this point, your unique WES Reference Number is generated. This is a 7-digit number (e.g., WES Reference No. 1234567) that links all your documents to your application. It will be displayed on screen and emailed to you in the confirmation message. Save this number immediately!

Why is the Reference Number important? You must include your WES reference number on all documents you send to WES or on any correspondence. Think of it as your file ID. When your university sends your transcript or if you have to mail anything, this number should be written on the envelope (and in the forms, if applicable) so that when WES receives mail, they know it’s for your evaluation. Without the reference, your documents might sit unassigned or get delayed.

WES will also summarize next steps, which usually include instructions like: “Now arrange for your documents to be sent. See your Required Documents list for details.” You can always log back in to your account and see your reference number and status, but it’s good to have it noted down somewhere safe.

Tip: If you realize after payment that you made a mistake (wrong credential info or want to add a degree), you might have options to correct it. Minor typos can be fixed by contacting WES support. Adding a new credential after submission might require an extra fee or a formal “upgrade” request. So it’s best to get everything right before hitting pay. We’ll cover a final review checklist in a later section.

Payment confirmation page showing a WES Reference Number assigned to the new application

5. Document Submission Process

Now comes the part that often takes the most time: sending your academic documents to WES. WES needs official records to verify your education – usually transcripts and degree certificates, depending on the country. Here’s a step-by-step rundown:

Step 4: Review What Documents Are Required.

After payment, your WES account will show a Required Documents list for each credential. This is tailored to the country and level of your education. For example, if your degree is from India, WES typically requires:

• Academic Transcript: issued by your university’s Registrar, sent in a sealed envelope (or electronically, if your university uses recognized channels).
• Degree Certificate: sometimes a photocopy of your diploma/degree certificate, attested by the institution (or just a plain copy for WES to have on file) – this requirement can vary. If your education was in a country where documents are issued by a central authority or examining board (e.g., West African Examinations Council for some diplomas), the required documents list will reflect that. Make sure you understand exactly what is needed for each credential. You can click on each item in the WES portal to see details. If anything is unclear, check the WES Required Documents page on their site for country-specific instructions, or contact WES support for clarification.

Step 5: Contact Your Institutions.

You will likely need to get in touch with the Registrar’s Office or Records Office of the university/college you attended. Inform them that you need to send your academic records to WES for an evaluation. Many institutions are familiar with WES and have standard procedures to help alumni send transcripts for this purpose.

Ask them about their process:

• Do they mail transcripts directly to WES, or will they give the sealed envelope to you?
• Is there an online request system or form you need to fill out?
• What fees are involved for transcript issuance and mailing?
• How long will it take? (This is crucial to plan your timeline.)

If possible, request electronic delivery. WES accepts electronic documents from certain platforms (like Parchment, TrueCopy, Digitary, etc.) or directly from institutions that partner with WES. Electronic submission can significantly cut down on mailing time. Check WES’s site or ask your university if they can send secure digital transcripts to WES. If they can, WES will provide instructions (usually an email address or a code to use for sending).

If electronic is not available or your school only sends physical copies, request them to prepare official transcripts in a sealed envelope. The envelope should be stamped or signed across the flap by the institution – this seal is what makes it official and indicates it hasn’t been tampered with.

Step 6: Ensure Proper Sealing and Labeling.

If your university is mailing the documents on your behalf, provide them with your WES Reference Number and WES mailing address (which is typically a P.O. Box address in the U.S. or Canada, provided in your account). The reference number should ideally be included on the transcript or cover sheet, and on the outside of the envelope (many universities will print it on the mailing envelope if you tell them). This way, when WES receives it, they immediately know it’s for your file.

If the university hands you the sealed envelope to mail:

• Do NOT open it! Opening it will break the official seal, and WES will reject the documents if the envelope is not intact upon arrival.
• Double-check that the envelope is properly sealed and has an official stamp or signature across the back. WES insists on this for authenticity – an envelope without a stamp/signature on the seal or one that arrives opened is considered invalid.
• Write “WES Reference No. XXXXXX” on the envelope yourself (if not already there) before you courier it.

Step 7: Mailing the Documents.

Use a reliable courier or postal service to send the sealed envelopes to WES. WES has specific addresses depending on the service: for U.S. evaluations, there’s a WES address in the U.S. (in New York), and for Canada ECAs, a Toronto address. Make sure you use the correct one as listed in your WES account’s instructions. It’s highly recommended to use tracking when mailing documents. This way, you can see when it’s delivered to WES (although note that once delivered, it might still take WES some days to mark them as received in your account).

If you have multiple schools sending documents, each should ideally send their packet separately (that is the norm). Do not combine records from two different institutions in one envelope – WES won’t accept that since the seal would be broken for one of them. Each institution’s registrar should send its own records.

Translations: If your documents (transcripts or degree certificates) are not in English (or French, for Canada process), WES will require word-for-word translations. Usually, the issuing institution or a certified translator must provide these. Some universities issue transcripts in English directly upon request – which is ideal. But if you have transcripts in another language, get them translated by a certified translator. The translator should ideally put the translated pages in a sealed envelope as well, or include a signed statement of accuracy. Make sure the translation is precise and matches the original text; errors in translation can lead to WES putting your file on hold. You will typically send both the original-language document and the translation to WES.

Summary of Document Sending Tips:

• Use the WES Required Documents checklist as your bible – send exactly what is asked, no more, no less (sending unnecessary documents “just in case” can actually slow down your process).
• Always include your Reference Number on envelopes or electronic submissions.
• Never break the seal of official documents. If the seal is broken, get a fresh set from the university.
• Prefer official channels: transcripts sent directly from the school are ideal. Avoid sending anything yourself that isn’t in a sealed institutional envelope.
• Keep proof of dispatch: save mail/courier receipts and tracking numbers.
• Patience: It may take a few weeks for your school to produce and send transcripts. It’s okay to gently follow up with the registrar if it’s taking too long.

7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even a small mistake in the WES process can cause delays or frustration. Here are some real-life examples of errors applicants make, and tips on how you can avoid them:

• Mistake 1: Name Mismatch or Typos in Application. For instance, using a nickname or an incorrect spelling of your name in the WES application that doesn’t match your academic documents. This can lead to confusion or your documents not being matched properly. Solution: Always use the exact name as on your passport and school records. Double-check every field for typos. If you have multiple surnames or a maiden name that appears on some documents, mention those if possible or inform WES in advance.
  
  
• Mistake 2: Selecting the Wrong Evaluation Type or Purpose. Some people accidentally choose a “Canada (IRCC) ECA” when they intended a U.S. evaluation, or they choose Document-by-Document when their recipient actually wanted a Course-by-Course report. Solution: Research what type of report you need. If it’s for immigration, a Document-by-Document (or specifically an IRCC ECA for Canada) is usually required. For university admission or licensing, Course-by-Course is often needed. If in doubt, ask the institution or check their requirements. Make sure you select the correct WES region (U.S. vs Canada) during profile creation too.
  
  
• Mistake 3: Not Sending the Highest Degree (when required). WES generally asks for your highest credential only, but as noted, there are exceptions. A common error is that an applicant with an Indian master’s degree only sent their master’s transcripts, and WES placed the evaluation on hold asking for the bachelor’s transcripts as well. Solution: If you’re from a country with special rules (like India, Pakistan, etc.), check if lower credentials are needed along with the highest. When in doubt, send both bachelor’s and master’s transcripts to be safe (unless explicitly told not to). The WES Required Documents page will spell this out – read it carefully.
  
  
• Mistake 4: Unofficial or Incomplete Academic Records. An example: someone sends photocopies of their transcripts by themselves, or only sends one semester’s result thinking it’s enough. WES will not accept unofficial copies or partial transcripts. Solution: Do not send copies of transcripts or mark sheets on your own (unless WES specifically allows a photocopy of a degree certificate as a supplemental document). Always arrange for official transcripts with all semesters/years included, sent directly by the institution. Ensure the transcript shows all courses and grades for your entire program, not just a provisional or short version.
  
  
• Mistake 5: Envelope Issues (Seal and Signatures). This is very common. WES receives an envelope, but it’s not signed or stamped across the back flap by the university, so they can’t be sure it came straight from the university. Or the envelope arrived opened/tampered (sometimes applicants open it to check contents, which invalidates it). WES will put such documents on hold or reject them. Solution: Emphasize to your university the WES sealing requirements. If the university sends you the envelope, do not open it. Check for a stamp or signature on the seal. If it’s missing, request the university to do that properly and send again. If you get an email from WES that says “envelope not signed/sealed by institution,” you’ll need to contact the school to re-send correctly.
  
  
• Mistake 6: Illegible Documents. Occasionally, scans or copies of transcripts might be so dark, blurry, or low-quality that WES evaluators cannot read the grades or names. For example, if a transcript is printed on security paper with a background pattern, a photocopy might be hard to read. WES will stop the process and ask for clearer documents. Solution: Ensure the documents your school sends are clear and legible. If your copy of the transcript is hard to read, mention this and request a fresh, clear print. It might help to provide WES with a note, but typically the onus is on the school to produce a legible official transcript. If WES contacts you about illegibility, ask your school to send a better-quality copy or, if allowed, upload a clear scan through the WES portal (WES sometimes provides an upload option for specific documents).
  
  
• Mistake 7: Missing Translation or Poor Translation. We touched on this: if your documents aren’t in English (or French for Canada), sending them without an official translation will stall your evaluation. Similarly, using an uncertified translator or a summary translation (instead of word-for-word) can cause issues. Solution: Use a certified translator or a service recommended by WES or your local authorities. Provide the translator with copies of the original documents and ask for a literal, word-for-word translation on each page, including stamps and signatures. The translator should attest that it’s accurate. Submit both the original-language document and the translation together.
  
  
• Mistake 8: Not Including the WES Reference on Documents. If the reference number isn’t attached, WES might have trouble linking incoming mail to your file, especially if your name is common. Solution: Always write “WES Ref #” on any envelope or cover sheet. If your university is sending documents, tell them to include that number in the address or on the transcript. After a couple of weeks, log in to your WES account; if the status for a document still says “not received” but your courier tracking says delivered, contact WES with your tracking info and reference number – they might locate it in their mailroom.
  
  
• Mistake 9: Procrastinating on University Requests. Sometimes applicants delay contacting their school, underestimating how long it can take to get transcripts issued (some can take a month or more). This leads to anxiety as the WES clock ticks. Solution: The moment you get your WES reference number, immediately initiate transcript requests with your institutions. The faster WES gets your documents, the sooner you’ll get your report.
  
  

Bottom line: Pay attention to the details at each step. WES has specific rules to maintain the integrity of the evaluation. If you follow instructions carefully – filling forms correctly, sending proper documents, and heeding any emails from WES – you’ll avoid most common pitfalls. And if you do slip up, don’t panic: WES will usually allow you to correct the issue (though it will delay the timeline). You can always reach out to their support for guidance if you’re unsure what to do after a mistake.

8. Processing Time, Pricing, and Delivery Methods

One of the most frequent questions is, “How long will this take?” The timeline for a WES credential evaluation can vary, but here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Evaluation Processing Time: WES quotes their standard processing time as about 7 business days for a credential evaluation after they have received and accepted all required documents and payment.​

However, that doesn’t mean you’ll have your report in 7 days of creating your account – it means once your transcripts and everything are in order, the actual evaluation (the analysis of your credentials and preparation of your report) takes roughly a week or so.

In reality, the end-to-end process often takes a bit longer because you need to factor in:

• The time for your university to produce and send transcripts (which could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the institution and whether it’s sent electronically or by mail).
• The time WES takes to receive and process your documents. After documents arrive, WES staff will review them for authenticity and completeness. This review step is essential and can take some time – typically around 2 weeks, but if volume is high or if there are many credentials, it could be longer (WES notes it could extend to 4-6 weeks in some cases)​
• If something is missing or wrong, they will put your file on hold and notify you, which pauses the timeline until you resolve the issue.
• Once everything is accepted, WES does the evaluation (7 days or so), then they issue the report.
• Add a few days for delivery of the report (unless it’s purely electronic).

So from start (application) to finish (report in hand), it could be as quick as 2-3 weeks in a best-case scenario (fast document submission, no issues, electronic delivery) or more commonly around 4-8 weeks. Some people have experienced delays stretching to a couple of months if there were problems or high seasonal demand (e.g., just before university application deadlines or immigration quota deadlines, WES might have a higher workload).

Checking Current Times: WES maintains a “Current Processing Times” page on their website where they sometimes post updates on expected timeframes. They might also display an estimated completion date in your account once your docs are in order. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your account status rather than just the calendar.

Pricing Recap: As described earlier, WES fees depend on the type of evaluation:

• Document-by-Document (Basic): Around $100-$115 USD.
• Document-by-Document (ICAP): Around $150-$170 USD.
• Course-by-Course (Basic): Around $160-$180 USD.
• Course-by-Course (ICAP): Around $205-$233 USD.

These are base fees per WES’s schedule. If you’re in Canada, the fees are similar in CAD but with slight differences (e.g., ~$240 CAD for an ECA). Always refer to the WES fee schedule for the most up-to-date prices, as they occasionally adjust them.

Additional Fees to Consider:

• Delivery Fees: WES charges for delivering your report. Standard delivery (postal mail) is relatively low-cost (about $13) but does not include tracking. Courier delivery is more expensive but much faster and has tracking – for international addresses it’s around $84 USD, and for U.S. domestic addresses, they have options like 1-day ($41), 2-day ($28), or 3-5 day ($18) shipping. Courier is highly recommended for important or time-sensitive documents, especially if you are outside the U.S. and worry about mail reliability. You can choose the delivery option when ordering (you can select one delivery method for your copy and different ones for different recipients if you added multiple, with fees accordingly).
• Additional Recipients/Copies: Your base fee usually includes one report sent to you and maybe one included recipient (check WES policy – they often include one recipient in the base fee, which can be yourself or an institution). If you want to send the report to more institutions at the time of application, there’s typically a fee per additional recipient (around $30-$50 each). If you decide after the report is done that you need another copy sent somewhere, you can order duplicate reports later, but it costs a fee (e.g., WES charges around $56 for the first additional report after completion, and some different rate for subsequent ones).
• Updates or Upgrades: If you originally ordered a Basic report and later want the benefits of ICAP (transcript storage), or if you did a Document-by-Document and the university now asks for Course-by-Course, WES allows upgrades. For instance, upgrading Basic to ICAP or adding a new credential after initial report might cost an extra fee (roughly $50 to upgrade to ICAP during process, or around $90 to add a new credential or upgrade a completed report). These are optional and only if your situation changes.

Choosing Delivery Method: During the application (before payment), you will be asked how you want the report delivered. For U.S. immigration purposes, if the report is for USCIS or an employer, you usually just need it delivered to yourself (then you would include it in your visa petition or show it to the employer). If it’s for education, you might have it sent directly to the university admissions office (make sure you have the correct address or electronic delivery code for the school). Some universities prefer electronic delivery via WES’s system (WES can send to many institutions directly in electronic form if they are registered recipients).

• If sending to institutions, try to find out if they accept Electronic WES reports – it’s instant once ready, and you avoid shipping. If they do, choose them from WES’s list of recipients (often WES will then not charge a courier fee for that recipient because it’s electronic).
• If you’re just getting it for yourself or general use, you might opt for one couriered copy to you.

Example: You apply for WES Course-by-Course ICAP ($205). You plan to apply to two universities. You select those two universities as recipients in your application. WES might charge ~$30 each extra to send to them. You also choose courier for your copy ($41 for overnight in U.S.). So your total might be $205 + $41 + $30 + $30 = $306. It can add up, but consider it an investment in your future opportunities. (If budget is a concern, you could stick to standard mail for your copy and only send to one recipient for now, adding others later as needed.)

Note on Delivery Times: Courier deliveries are trackable and usually arrive in a few days. Standard mail can take a couple of weeks domestically and even longer internationally. Also, if you’re outside the U.S., your country’s customs might hold a courier envelope briefly (especially in places where international packages are scanned). Generally, though, courier is much faster and safer.

Expedited Processing: Unlike some testing services, WES does not really offer an “expedite my evaluation” option. You can’t pay extra to have your documents reviewed faster – their process line is mostly first-come, first-served. The only speeding up you control is how fast you get documents to them and choosing fast delivery. So beware of any third-party that claims they can expedite WES; it’s usually not possible beyond what WES itself can do under standard procedure.

9. Final Review & Submitting Your Application

Before you hit that final Submit (or pay) button in your WES application, it’s wise to do one more thorough review to avoid any errors. Here’s a quick final checklist of things to verify:

• Personal Info Accuracy: Ensure your name (and any alternate names) are correct, your date of birth is right, and your contact information (especially your email and mailing address) is up to date. WES will use these to contact you and send the report.
• Correct WES Service Chosen: Double-check that you are under the WES USA application if you need the report for U.S. use. If you see “IRCC” or “Canada” mentioned anywhere in the order summary and you actually need a U.S. evaluation, go back and fix it (or start a new application on the correct portal). Similarly, ensure the type of evaluation (Document-by-Document vs Course-by-Course) is what your situation requires.
• All Credentials Listed: Verify that you have added all the educational credentials you want evaluated. If you left one out and pay, adding it later will cost more. On the other hand, don’t list credentials you don’t plan to use at all (e.g., you attended one semester at a college and dropped out – WES doesn’t need that unless you need it for some reason).
• Recipients: Check if you have included recipients for your report (universities, licensing boards, etc.) as needed. If you’re unsure where you’ll be applying, you can actually skip adding recipients to save fees – WES by default will send the report to you, and you can order more copies later. But if you know for sure, it’s convenient to add them now.
• Required Documents Understanding: Glance at the required documents list one more time. Do you know how to get each item? If something like “Academic transcript (English)” appears and you didn’t realize you need a translation, this is the time to note it. Ensure no surprises after submitting.
• Review for Typos: Scan through the entered details (institution names, dates, degree titles). A typo here (like 2012 instead of 2021 as graduation year) could potentially lead to an incorrect equivalency on your report or at least require an explanation. Fix anything that looks off.
• Fee Summary: Look at the breakdown of fees you’re about to pay. It should align with what you expect (evaluation fee + delivery + extra recipients, etc.). If something seems too high or you accidentally added multiple copies, adjust before paying.

Once everything looks good, go ahead and submit your application and make the payment. After submitting, you won’t be able to edit the education info directly in the portal. If you spot a mistake afterward, you’ll need to contact WES Customer Service to see if they can adjust it, or in some cases you might need to pay for an addition or correction. That’s why that final review is important – it can save you time and money.

After payment, remember to note your WES Reference Number as discussed. You should also receive a confirmation email from WES summarizing your order. Save that for your records.

Lastly, prepare a plan to get your documents sent if you haven’t already initiated that. Some applicants actually request transcripts before even creating the WES application to save time (which can be okay, but risky if you don’t have the reference number yet – better to at least wait for the number and then have the university include it).

Now your part of the application (the online portion) is done, and it’s largely a waiting game while documents make their way to WES and the evaluation is completed.

10. Tracking Your ECA Status and Receiving the Report

After submitting everything, you’ll likely be eager to know what’s happening with your evaluation. WES provides ways to track your application status online. Here’s how to stay updated and what to expect when the evaluation is finished:

WES Account Status Updates: Log in to your WES account regularly. On your dashboard or the specific application page, you’ll see status updates for each credential’s document and for the overall evaluation. Common status messages include:

• “Waiting for required documents” – meaning WES is still expecting something from your side (transcripts, etc.).
• “Documents Received – Reviewing” – they got something and are checking it.
• “On Hold – See Message” – means there’s an issue (perhaps a document problem); there will usually be a notification or email explaining what is wrong (e.g., “Degree certificate copy required” or “Transcript not received from institution”).
• “In Progress” – all is in order and an evaluator is now assessing your credentials.
• “Completed – Mailed on [Date]” or “Completed – Electronic report sent” – your evaluation report has been finished and dispatched.

WES will also send you email notifications at key points, especially if there’s a problem or when the report is completed. So check the email you used for registration (and the spam folder just in case). If you see an on-hold message and didn’t get an email, contact WES or check their help center for the meaning of the status.

Customer Support and Follow-Up: If a document is taking too long or you think something should have arrived, you can reach out to WES customer support. They have a contact form and sometimes phone numbers (though reaching a live person can be challenging due to high volume). Provide your reference number in any communication. WES support can often clarify what exactly is needed if the message was unclear. For example, if you see “Document not accepted: please resubmit” but aren’t sure why, asking them may reveal it was not legible or not properly sealed, etc., so you know what to tell your university to fix.

Receiving the ECA Report: Once the status says “Completed,” congrats! WES has finished your ECA/credential evaluation. Now, how do you get the results?

• Electronic Delivery: If you or your recipients opted for electronic delivery, those parties will receive the report very quickly (often the same day it’s completed). As the applicant, you can usually see a PDF of your evaluation report in your WES account once it’s completed.
  Tip: Log in and look for a “Download Report” button or check under your completed orders; WES often provides a PDF copy for your personal use. This is very handy – you can see exactly what WES reported as your degree equivalency, GPA, etc. If it’s an IRCC ECA, the report will have a number that you need to input into your Express Entry profile, for example.
• Physical Mail/Courier: If you opted for physical delivery, you’ll need to wait for the mail. If it was standard mail, just keep an eye out in the coming weeks. If it was courier, use the tracking number WES provided (usually they will list it in your account or email you) to see the shipment’s progress. Upon receipt, open it carefully – inside you’ll find the official WES evaluation report, typically a few pages on security paper with WES’s seal. It will detail each credential you submitted and the U.S. equivalent (e.g., “Master of Science, awarded by XYZ University in 2018 – determined to be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree”). For course-by-course, there will be additional pages listing courses and grades.

Using the Report: Now you can use the WES ECA report for its intended purpose. For immigration, you’d include it in your application or give the reference number (USCIS might want the original report in the petition). For employment, you can show the evaluating company or even attach it to your resume or LinkedIn (WES provides a digital badge for ICAP evaluations which can be shared to verify your credentials). For education, your university will receive it directly if you sent it to them – you might not need to do anything further except maybe confirm they got it.

Storage and Future Use: If you opted for ICAP, WES will keep your verified transcripts on file. This means if in a year you apply to another university or need to send the report elsewhere, you can order an additional copy without having your school resend transcripts. If you didn’t use ICAP, WES still keeps your data, but transcripts might not be stored long-term. In any case, your WES login will remain active, and you can always log back in to order new copies of the report for new recipients (for a fee) or to upgrade your report if needed. Keep your WES reference number and login credentials noted for the future.

Validity Note: If you did an IRCC ECA (for Canada) but in the future need a WES evaluation for the U.S., you will have to go through a slightly separate process (WES cannot directly transfer an ECA into a course-by-course, for example, without a new application, though some documents may be reused). And vice versa. So while your WES report is valid indefinitely for its intended purpose, it’s tied to that country’s format.

Tracking Summary: To recap, you track via your WES Account primarily. Use email updates as secondary. Be proactive if delays occur beyond the normal timeframe. And once you have that report in hand, you’ve successfully translated your foreign credentials into the U.S. context – congratulations!

11. Additional Resources and Tips

Going through WES for the first time can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are resources and tools to help you even before you apply (and during, if needed). Here are some additional tips:

• WES Degree Equivalency Tool: Not sure what your degree will equate to in the U.S.? WES offers a free online tool where you can select your country, institution, and degree, and it will tell you the probable U.S. equivalency. This is great for setting expectations. For example, you might learn that your 3-year bachelor’s from India is likely equivalent to a “Bachelor’s degree (3 years) – equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s” or sometimes “Equivalent to 3 years of undergraduate study” if it’s not considered a full equivalent. Knowing this can help you decide which credentials to evaluate or if you might need further education. Keep in mind, the tool is for guidance only – the official evaluation could differ slightly, but it’s usually consistent with the tool’s database.
  
  • How to use it: Go to the WES website’s Tools section and find “Check your Degree Equivalency”. Choose the country of education, the name of your institution, and the name of your credential (degree). It will output an unofficial equivalency. If your exact degree or college isn’t listed, it might not be in the database, but you can get a general idea from similar ones.
  • This tool is especially useful if you have multiple degrees and only want to send one for ECA. For instance, if you have both a bachelor’s and master’s, and you wonder if the master’s alone suffices, the tool’s info plus WES guidelines (highest degree rule) can guide you.

• WES Required Documents Preview: Another helpful feature on the WES site is the “Required Documents” tool. Even before creating an account, you can use this by selecting your country and credential to see what documents WES will ask for. This way, you can start preparing those documents early. It’s essentially the same info that appears once you fill your application, but you can access it upfront.
  
  • For example, choose “India – Master’s degree” and it will tell you “Send master’s transcript and bachelor’s transcript” (and who must issue them). If something like “degree certificate copy” is needed, it will list that too.
• WES Help Center and FAQ: WES’s website has an extensive FAQ section​
  addressing common questions. If you’re unsure about something like “Will WES return my documents?” (usually they don’t return academic documents, they become WES property except rare originals), or “How to send documents electronically,” the help center is a good place to search. The WES Blog also has many articles (some we’ve cited here) on tips for applications, understanding the process, etc., which can be insightful.
  
  
• Forums and Communities: There are online forums (like CanadaVisa forum, Reddit, etc.) where many WES applicants share their experiences. These can be useful to get unofficial guidance or see timelines others experienced. Just be cautious and always cross-verify with official WES instructions, since procedures can change or be specific to individual cases.
  
  
• WES Customer Support: If you have a unique situation (e.g., your university closed down, or you only have one sealed copy of transcript and can’t get another, etc.), contacting WES directly is the best course. They can guide you on alternatives (sometimes WES will accept a document in a different way if standard procedure isn’t possible, but only if you ask and they agree).
  
  
• Using Your Evaluation for Multiple Purposes: If you got a WES evaluation for one purpose, you may be able to use it elsewhere. For instance, say you got a course-by-course evaluation for grad school admission – that same report might later be accepted by an employer or another school. Generally, WES reports are widely recognized. If you have an extra copy, you can share it. Just note, Canada immigration (IRCC) only accepts ECAs from designated orgs specifically for Express Entry, so a WES USA course-by-course report wouldn’t count for that – you’d need to get a WES Canada ECA separately. But a WES course-by-course could be used for things like H1-B visa petitions, further education, or job applications in the U.S.
  
  
• Keep Personal Copies of Everything: While WES will issue the official report, make sure you keep copies (scans) of your academic documents that you sent, the transcripts, etc., for your records. If WES ends up keeping something, you at least have a copy. Also save all emails from WES.
  
  
• Plan Ahead: If you know you’ll need an evaluation, don’t wait until the last minute. Having a WES evaluation ready can sometimes give you a head start. WES reports (particularly ICAP ones) can be used years later since they don’t “expire” in the U.S. context. For Canada, remember the 5-year validity if immigration is your goal – for example, an ECA done now will be valid for Express Entry for five years, which is useful if you don’t immigrate immediately.
  
  
• Rechecking and Re-evaluation: In rare cases, if you believe WES made an error in your report (say, they evaluated your qualification as a 3-year bachelor’s equivalent but you believe it should be 4-year), you can appeal or ask for a re-evaluation. This might involve providing additional info (like syllabus or proof of program length). WES has a process for reassessment, though it may cost a fee and take time. Most often, WES’s assessment is accurate per their criteria, but mistakes or new information can be addressed.

In conclusion, obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment from WES is a multi-step process, but by understanding each step and preparing carefully, you can navigate it successfully. This investment of time and effort will pay off when your foreign degree is recognized in the U.S., opening doors for immigration opportunities, educational advancement, or career growth. Use the tools and tips provided, stay organized, and soon you’ll have your WES report in hand – a key asset in your journey to the United States!

Good luck with your WES application and your plans beyond, and welcome to the next step in your international adventure!