Everything You Need to Know About Credential Evaluation
Planning to study, work, or immigrate to Canada or the United States? One term you’ll often come across in this journey is Credential Evaluation. Whether you are aiming for higher education, a dream job, or Permanent Residency (PR), your educational qualifications need to be officially recognized in your destination country. And that’s exactly where credential evaluation becomes your first and most important step. If you earned your degree from India or any other non-US/non-Canadian country, your qualifications must be evaluated to match the local education system. This helps authorities understand the academic value of your degree, and whether it aligns with Canadian or US standards. Let’s decode the process and show you how Worldwide Transcripts helps make it easier, faster, and more reliable. What is Credential Evaluation? Credential evaluation is the process of verifying credentials like degrees, diplomas, and mark sheets, issued by foreign institutions and comparing them to the education system in your destination country. Evaluation agencies assess: Authenticity of the documents Educational level equivalency Grading system Duration of the course Major subjects The final report tells institutions, employers, and immigration bodies how your foreign education compares up against local academic standards. Why Do You Need Credential Evaluation? Whether you’re applying for a university seat or a new life abroad, credential evaluation plays a critical role. Here’s why: For Higher Education Most academic institutions in the US and Canada require an official transcript to verify and ensure your prior education meets their admission requirements, serving as proof of education for entry into higher education or a professional programme. For Employment & Professional Licensing Employers and regulatory boards abroad request official transcript to verify and validate whether your education qualifies you for the role. Some professions, like engineering, medicine, or teaching, require formal verification of credential before professional licensing. For Immigration & PR If you’re applying for Canada’s Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or certain US visa categories, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is essential. Post assessing the authoritative document i.e transcript the ECA generates an evaluation report that can also boost your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score in Canada, improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR. Who Needs Credential Evaluation? International students applying to US or Canadian institutions Foreign-trained professionals looking to get licensed or employed abroad Skilled workers applying for PR or work visas through programs like Express Entry(1) Types of Credential Evaluations Depending on your purpose university, job, or immigration there are three main types of credential evaluation: While ICAI Offers Direct Application Services, It Can Be Course-by-Course Evaluation Best for: University Admissions Compares each subject and grade Determines your GPA equivalency Lists your academic performance in detail Document-by-Document Evaluation Best for: Immigration and Employment Verifies degrees, diplomas, and certificates Confirms the overall educational level (e.g., Bachelor’s degree from India = Bachelor’s in Canada) Professional Work Experience Evaluation Best for: Work Visa Applicants (like H-1B) Assesses relevant job experience when formal education is missing Ideal for techies, engineers, or specialists without academic degrees Credential Evaluation for Canada (ECA) If Canada is your goal, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-approved agency. This is non-negotiable for Express Entry and several immigration programs. Why ECA Matters for Canada: Validates your foreign degree Adds to your CRS score Essential for regulated jobs and university admissions Renowned ECA Bodies in Canada: WES Canada – World Education Services CES – University of Toronto ICAS – International Credential Assessment Service IQAS – Alberta Government MCC/PEBC – For medical and pharmacy professionals Processing Time: 20–30 working days (varies) Credential Evaluation for the US For the United States, credential evaluation is primarily used for university admissions, job applications, and certain employment-based visa processes. Key Evaluation Agencies in the US: WES USA ECE – Educational Credential Evaluators NACES Members (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) AICE Members (Association of International Credential Evaluators) Reports are typically required by universities, employers, and sometimes USCIS for work visa applications. Processing Time: 2–4 weeks (varies) How can Worldwide Transcripts help you get your academic transcripts? We handle everything online to get transcripts from indian universities. Our services ensure accurate documentation, faster processing, real-time tracking, and international delivery—all with a reasonable pricing structure. Streamlining Your Transcript Process with Worldwide Transcript We eliminate the hassle of strict requirements by offering a seamless, online-driven approach: Documentation Support Our transcript services manage the collection, verification, and submission of all required documents, sparing you multiple trips to the University. Electronic Transcripts We facilitate the secure procurement and digital delivery of university transcripts to, institutes, employers, or credential evaluators within 24 hours of receipt of academic transcripts. Physical Transcripts We handle the dispatch of sealed transcripts from the University via trusted overseas courier services, ensuring safe delivery. Attestation We facilitate attestations required by international credential bodies, making your transcripts globally acceptable. We’ve helped thousands of applicants from India get their transcripts evaluated by WES, ECE(2), CES(3), EP(4), IQAS(5), and many more. Need Credential Evaluation Assistance? Let’s get you one step closer to your dream career or PR goals abroad.