What is World Education Services (WES) for Canada?

Emigrating to Canada is the goal of many foreigners every year, but in order to achieve it, it is necessary to gather good documentation that demonstrates a high immigration profile and it is possible that the famous Academic Credential Assessment (ECA) is included in the requirements. In this context, the World Education Services (WES) plays a fundamental role. Many foreigners with a view to travel to Canada require it, but do not know enough about it, so from Immiland's education department we designed this complete guide about the WES and its relationship with the ECA, what it is, what it is requested for and when it is necessary. We will also provide you with practical examples of the different certificates it issues. Let's get started!

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What is WES and how does it relate to ECA?

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World Education Services (WES) is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Evaluations (ECA) of degrees and diplomas obtained outside of Canada. 

WES is a non-profit organization specialized in this type of international assessment and verification. Its main purpose is to provide a detailed report that allows Canadian educational institutions, employers and immigration authorities to understand how degrees and certificates obtained in other countries compare to the Canadian educational system.

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What is WES applied for in Canada?

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WES is mainly requested in three key contexts:

1. Immigration processes (Express Entry):
   Most Canadian immigration programs, such as Express Entry, require applicants to include an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This report demonstrates to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that your educational level meets Canadian standards and can add points to your profile.
2. Admission to educational institutions:
   If you plan to continue your studies in Canada, universities and colleges often require an evaluation of your credentials to determine if you meet the academic requirements for admission.
3. Job requirements:
   Some Canadian employers, especially in regulated professions such as engineering, medicine or accounting, require that the academic credentials of foreign candidates be evaluated to ensure that they meet local standards.

‍Inwhich cases is credential evaluation required?Credential evaluation is required in the following specific cases:

• Express Entry and other immigration programs: to obtain points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) under the education factor.
• Regulated professions: such as medicine, nursing, engineering, accounting, architecture, among other regulated professions.
• Postgraduate admission: programs such as master's or doctoral programs that require international equivalencies.
• Employers requesting specific standards: it is not really common, but in some highly specialized jobs they might ask for this assessment.

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‍Typesof reports offered by WES and when they applyWESissues different types of evaluation reports. The choice of report depends on the purpose for which you need the assessment. Here we introduce you to the main types and practical examples:

1. Evaluation of Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) for Immigration Purposes

This report is specifically required by IRCC for immigration purposes. Its function is to evaluate credentials obtained outside of Canada and provide equivalency within the Canadian education system.Practical example:If the applicant has a university degree in Engineering in Colombia and is applying to the Express Entry program, the ECA report will determine if their degree is equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Canada. This may increase your CRS score.

2. Course-by-course evaluation report

This report is detailed and includes a breakdown of courses, grades, and credits earned. It is useful primarily for academic purposes.Practical example:If the applicant plans to enter a master's program at the University of Toronto and has a bachelor's degree obtained in Mexico, this report will allow the university to verify the specific courses taken and determine eligibility.

3, Evaluation report document by document

This is less detailed than the previous one and focuses on validating degrees and certifications. It is commonly required by employers or universities when they do not need an in-depth analysis.Practical example:If the interested party is a professional with a technical diploma from Chile and wants to apply for a job that requires the validation of his degree, this report is sufficient to demonstrate that his diploma is equivalent to a Canadian technical certificate.

4. Evaluation of regulated professions

In certain professions, regulatory bodies require specific assessments in addition to the ECA report.Practical example:If you are a licensed physician in Peru and wish to practice in Canada, then in addition to the ECA report, the Canadian physician regulatory body may require an additional assessment to determine if you meet licensing requirements.Steps to request a WES reportIfyou need a WES report, follow these steps:

1. Create an account on the WES portal:
   Visit the official WES website and create your account. Be sure to select Canada as the country of evaluation.
2. Select the type of evaluation:
   Choose between ECA for immigration, course by course, or document by document according to your objective.
3. Send the required documents:
   
   • Check which documents WES requests according to the country where you obtained your credentials.
   • Ask your educational institution to send the documents directly to WES (this ensures authenticity).
   • Include certified or translated copies if documents are not in English or French.
4. Make payment:
   The cost varies depending on the type of report requested, but the average price for an ECA as of the date of this publication is approximately $240 CAD.
5. Wait for the report:
   WES usually takes 7 to 20 business days from receipt of the documents to issue the report.
6. Send your report:
   If it is for immigration, WES will send it directly to IRCC.

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‍Commonmistakesto avoidProcessingdocuments and immigration processes for Canada can be complex and if you do not have the right knowledge you can make common mistakes, such as:

1. Getting a requirement wrong when submitting your documents: many applications are delayed because the documents do not meet the requirements, so check the WES instructions carefully so you can be sure you comply with each one.

Selecting the wrong report: misinformation can lead the user to make the wrong choice of report. Read this article again to familiarize yourself with each report and adapt it to its purpose. Failure to update information: Many users change their email address or overlook important details, thus losing access to valuable information to complete the process. It is recommended that you use them in your WES profile to avoid communication problems.

If you need advice about your ECA or your studies in Canada, contact us or schedule a vocational education appointment here. I hope this blog will be useful for you to successfully apply for your credential evaluation with WES. If you need more information or personalized advice, we invite you to follow our social networks and contact us through the available channels.

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Thank you for reading us.

See you soon!

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With love,

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Immiland Education