Everything You Need to Know About Credential Evaluation
Written by: Abhishek Chatterjee
Reviewed by: Vakila Khan
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
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- Best for: University Admissions
- Compares each subject and grade
- Determines your GPA equivalency
- Lists your academic performance in detail
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- 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)
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- 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.
- Electronic Transcripts
- Attestation
We facilitate attestations required by international credential bodies, making your transcripts globally acceptable.
- Documentation Support
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.
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Step-by-Step Process to Get Credential Evaluation Done
Here’s how you can secure a smooth and successful evaluation with Worldwide Transcripts:
Choose the Right Agency
- Pick your ECA body (like WES Canada, ICAS, or ECE USA) based on your country of destination and the purpose, university, job, or PR.
Collect Necessary Documents
- Degree certificate (provisional/final)
- Semester/year-wise mark sheets
- Government-issued ID (e.g., Passport, Aadhaar)
Apply Online
- Register on the official website of the evaluating agency. Pay the required fee (usually between $100–$300) and get unique candidate / reference number to track your ECA evaluation and application sataus.
University Transcripts procurement
Universities must send transcripts directly to to Worldwide Transcripts for transmiting them electronically to empanneled ECA bodies of the US and Canadian., we help:
- Procure your documents from 850+ Indian universities
- Package and seal them per ECA requirements
- Send electronic transcripts securely within 24 hours to empanneled ECA’s.
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Receive Your Evaluation Report
- The agency will deliver the report electronically or via courier to the intended recipient—university, employer, or immigration office.
Why Choose Worldwide Transcripts?
Don’t let complexities slow you down. Start your academic transcript journey now—whether independently or with the trusted team at Worldwide Transcripts.
Conclusion
Credential evaluation is more than just a checklist item—it’s your entry ticket to global opportunities. Whether you’re applying for a job in Toronto, a Master’s in New York, or planning to settle in British Columbia, getting your transcripts evaluated by a renowed ECA body of the destination country or province is essential. With Worldwide Transcripts, you’re not just sending documents. You’re investing in a reliable, and smooth way to success in your foreign immigration dream.
So, let’s get those transcripts moving—your future is just one credential report away.
