How WES Evaluates Indian Transcripts for Immigration
Written by: Abhishek Chatterjee
Reviewed by: Vakila Khan
Moving abroad for higher education, job or for Permanent Residency (PR) often means showing your academic documents like university transcripts, degree certificates and other academic credentials in such a way that it is acceptable to foreign immigration authorities. For individuals who have completed their education in India and are looking forward to immigration to nations like the United States or Canada, the evaluation of credentials by World Education Services (WES) has become the gold standard. For Indian applicants, obtaining a WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is often a compulsory requirement for immigration programs, such as in the IRCC Express Entry.
But now let’s understand further how exactly WES evaluate Indian transcripts for immigration? This detailed guide will provide clarity on the comprehensive process, from document preparation, application submission, procurement to evaluation.
What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) & Why is it Required?
The ECA evaluates your academic credentials based on the standards of your destination country. It helps institutions, employers, licensing bodies and immigration authorities verify your credentials, ensuring they meet the norms and requirements laid down as per the law.
For immigration purposes, it determines whether your degree in India fits with a Canadian or American bachelor’s, master’s or diploma course. This verification is required for IRCC and USCIS to award points, which may directly affect your immigration eligibility. The WES ECA, which is valid for upto five years, is very essential, as it bridges the gap between Indian and US, Canadian academic expectations.
The Role of WES in Canadian Immigration
World Education Services (WES) was founded in 1974 as a non-profit organization designated by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which are the immigration authorities of Canada and the United States. An educational certificate evaluation body like WES verifies, compares and prepares an equivalency report to verify that an Indian degree, diploma or certificate is equivalent to a US or Canadian certificate, which is a vital part of programs like Canada’s Express Entry Program, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under IRCC.
The WES Evaluation Process for Indian Transcripts
WES uses a detailed process to evaluate Indian transcripts, confirming adherence to Canadian and American immigration regulations. The process is as mentioned below:
- Create a WES account
Start by registering on the WES website (https://www.wes.org). You will need to provide personal and academic details, including your degree and institution of studies.
- Get a WES reference number
After registration and the required fee payment, WES assigns a unique reference number, which must be included in all transcripts or documents to track your application status and evaluation report.
- Submit official documents
WES requires official documents sent directly by your Indian university or school of studies, including:
Official statement of records of all semesters or years, containing details of courses and grades obtained.
These must be sent in a sealed envelope signed by the exam controller or vice-chancellor of the university from the university postal code directly, as WES dont accept documents submitted by applicants directly to assure authenticity.
- Verification and Assessment
WES verifies the authenticity of the document, assesses, compares and confirms the institution’s recognition (like affiliation from the University Grants Commission), and evaluates the American or Canadian equivalency of the degree certificate and your grade conversion to the Canadian scale.
- Receive your ECA report
Upon receiving all the required documents and WES fee payment, WES provides your ECA or evaluation report within 10-15 business days, which you can use for your immigration application.
Required Documents for Indian Transcripts
To initiate a WES evaluation, Indian applicants must provide:
- Degree Certificate
- Mark sheets or degree transcripts
- WES form with reference number
Particular programs, such as those in Ayurveda and Unani etc, may not be eligible for WES evaluation, so it’s essential to verify eligibility on the WES website (https://www.wes.org) before proceeding.
How WES Evaluates Indian Transcripts?
WES uses a strict process to access and evaluate Indian transcripts or Indian academic credentials that takes care of the sophistication of India’s education system:
- Verification of Document uthenticity
WES carefully inspects the document for official seals, signatures, and documents to verify their validity and to avoid any fraud. - Certificate Identification
WES verifies degree certificates (e.g., Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Engineering) along with the institution’s approval or affiliation with Indian bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) or All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). - Grade Conversion
Indian grading systems, which is percentages or CGPA, differ from Canada’s GPA scale. WES uses a process for grade conversion. where, for example, a 70% aggregate may equate to a 3.0-3.3 GPA. The WES iGPA calculator (https://applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator) provides an estimate, but the detailed WES evaluation report provides the full picture. - Assessment of Equivalency
WES specifies the equivalence of your certificate to Canadian educational standards and norms. A four year Indian bachelor’s degree is equivalent to Canadian bachelor’s degrees, but a three-year degrees may require further verification, as mentioned by WES on Indian course or degree certifications (https://www.wes.org).
Types of WES Evaluations
WES offers two evaluation types for Indian applicants
- Document-by-Document Evaluation This evaluation method provides a detailed equivalency report, suitable for immigration purposes like Express Entry. The fee for this evaluation is roughly CAD 220 (approximately USD 165).
- Course-by-Course Evaluation This evaluation report assesses and evaluates each course, point credits, and GPA, which is ideal for admissions at a university for higher education, professional course or licensing. The evaluation fee would be around CAD 255 (approximately USD 190).
For immigration, the Document-by-Document evaluation is generally acceptable, but please confirm with IRCC, USCIS or your program requirements as mentioned in the website.
Processing Time
After WES receives all documents and payment, the process usually takes 10-15 business days depending upon the evaluation and session intake backlogs. But the delays in document submission to WES by Indian universities can extend the overall deadline of evaluation and ECA report generation. It is always recommended to start the process a couple of days before the deadline, keeping in mind the possible delays.
Common Challenges and How Worldwide Transcripts Helps
Indian applicants often encounter obstacles in the WES evaluation process:
- Complex University Procedures Indian universities have complex internal administrative systems, often involving multiple departments, requiring multiple visits or follow-ups for transcript procurement.
- Geographical Barriers Applicants living abroad or far from their university struggle to coordinate their university application submission and further document procurement and shipping.
- Delays in Document Delivery University internal backlogs can delay transcript issuance and further risking immigration deadlines.
- Varying Grading Systems India’s grading systems is very complex and assessment and comparison (e.g., percentages, CGPA) further complicate conversions to Canadian and American standards.
Author
Challenges and Their Solutions
| Challenge | Solution by Worldwide Transcripts |
| Complex University Procedures | Coordinates with universities to streamline transcript issuance. |
| Geographical Barriers | Handles document collection and delivery, eliminating travel needs. |
| Delays in Document Delivery | Expedites procurement and delivers e-transcripts to WES within 24 hours. |
| Varying Grading Systems | Ensures documents meet WES standards, facilitating accurate grade conversions. |
Tips for a Smooth WES Evaluation
To ensure a seamless WES evaluation:
- Verify Requirements Check WES’s website for your university’s specific requirements, as procedures vary.
- Start Early Request transcripts well in advance, providing your WES reference number to avoid delays.
- Use Approved Methods Opt for reliable couriers for physical documents or contact Worldwide Transcripts for stress free procurement and documentation support.
- Track Progress Track your WES account for updates on document submission and evaluation status.
- Partner with Worldwide Transcripts Opt for the best transcript service provider to save time and effort, ensuring prompt and accurate delivery to WES.
Why Choose Worldwide Transcripts?
Need Help with WES Evaluation? Enquire Now
Conclusion
The WES assessment process is a crucial step for Indian applicants wishing to immigrate to Canada, ensuring that their academic certificates are recognized and valued. By verifying authenticity, assessing equivalency and converting grades, WES facilitates a fair and standardized assessment. Despite challenges such as university delays and diverse grading systems, Worldwide Transcripts provides a reliable solution, delivering your documents securely and efficiently. With our expertise, you can achieve your Canadian or American immigration dream with confidence, knowing that your certificates are in trusted hands. Contact us today to begin your journey towards a new life in Canada or the US.
