If you are planning to study, work, or immigrate abroad, your foreign academic qualifications often need to be formally verified. World Education Services (WES) evaluates your educational credentials and converts them into a standardised format recognised in countries such as Canada and the United States — a process known as the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Getting this process right from the start saves months of delay. Here is everything you need to know about WES required documents, costs, and the submission process in 2026.
Why International Students Need WES
WES is required in a wide range of situations, including:
- Canada permanent residency applications through Express Entry
- Admission to Canadian or US universities
- Professional licensing in regulated occupations abroad
- Employment verification in international job markets
Once WES evaluates your credentials, the resulting report confirms that your foreign qualification is equivalent to a recognised Canadian or US academic programme. Immigration authorities and academic institutions use this report when assessing your educational background.
WES Required Documents for International Students
| Document | Who Submits It | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate (final or provisional) | Typically uploaded or submitted by the applicant | Must clearly state the degree awarded |
| Mark sheets for every semester | Your university or institution | Must include marks for all semesters without exception |
| Official transcripts | Your university | Must be sealed and stamped by the institution |
| Academic records request form | Your university | Must include your WES reference code |
| Certified translation (where required) | A qualified translator | Required for any documents not in English |
Important notes:
- Documents must be sent directly by the degree-granting university, not by an affiliated college alone
- The envelope must be sealed and stamped across the flap by the institution before dispatch
- Your WES reference code must be written clearly on the outside of the envelope
- Documents sent only from an affiliated college without university verification are typically not accepted
Understanding the Difference Between Key Documents
| Document | Contents | Issued By | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark sheets | Grades for each semester | Institution | Demonstrates academic performance over the course of study |
| Transcripts | Condensed academic history | University | Used for official verification of academic record |
| Degree certificate | Proof of graduation | University | Confirms the degree programme completed |
| Provisional certificate | Temporary proof of degree completion | Institution | Used while awaiting the final official degree certificate |
Step-by-Step Process to Submit Documents to WES
Step 1: Create Your WES Account
Visit the WES website, select the country of assessment (Canada or the United States), complete your academic history, and pay the applicable fee. You will receive a unique WES reference code after completing registration.
Step 2: Request Official Transcripts from Your University
Contact your institution to request official transcripts. You may need to complete a transcript request form, submit copies of your mark sheets, and pay any applicable transcript fees charged by the institution.
Step 3: Your University Submits Documents to WES
The institution must send the documents directly to WES through one of the approved channels:
- Secure digital transmission through a WES-approved partner service
- Courier in a sealed, stamped, and signed envelope
- Approved electronic transcript services where available
Step 4: Track Your WES Application
Once WES receives your documents, the review process begins. WES may contact your institution to verify the credentials. After verification, the assessment typically takes 7 to 20 working days to complete.
WES Assessment Fees for Canada in 2026
| Service | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| ECA for IRCC (Canada permanent residency) | CAD 256 |
| Document-by-document assessment | CAD 130 |
| Course-by-course assessment | CAD 237 |
| International courier delivery | CAD 95 |
| Standard delivery | CAD 13 |
Processing Timelines
| Service Type | Submission Method | Assessment Time | Total Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard assessment | Online submission by institution | 7 – 10 business days | 60 – 90 days |
| Standard assessment | Sealed postal envelope | 10 – 21 business days | 90 – 120 days |
| ECA for IRCC | Online submission by institution | 20 – 30 business days | 90 – 120 days |
| ECA for IRCC | Sealed postal mail | 25 – 35 business days | 120 – 150 days |
| WES ICAP (with document storage) | Online submission | 20 – 30 business days | 90 – 120 days |
| WES ICAP (with document storage) | Sealed postal envelope | 25 – 35 business days | 120 – 150 days |
Most Common Errors That Cause Delays
- Sending documents yourself instead of having the institution submit them directly
- Omitting mark sheets for one or more semesters
- Transcript envelope arriving open or without the official institutional stamp across the seal
- Forgetting to include the WES reference code on the envelope or documents
- Name discrepancy between documents and the passport
Tips to Make Your WES Application Faster and Smoother
- Start early: Universities can take several weeks to prepare and dispatch official transcripts — do not leave this until the last minute
- Verify name consistency: Your name must appear identically across all documents and your passport — even a minor variation can trigger a delay
- Write the WES reference code clearly: This is how WES matches your documents to your account — write it boldly on the envelope and include it on all relevant forms
- Keep scanned copies of everything: Maintain digital backups of your degree certificates, transcripts, and mark sheets
- Use a tracked courier service: A tracked shipment lets you confirm exactly when WES receives your documents and reduces the risk of loss in transit
Conclusion
A complete and correctly prepared WES document package is the foundation of a successful credential assessment. When your transcripts are properly sealed, your reference code is clearly marked, and all semesters are accounted for, the process moves significantly faster. Given that ECA assessments can take up to 150 days when documents are posted, starting early and submitting through institutional digital channels wherever possible is the most effective strategy. Once your WES report is complete, it opens doors to Canadian immigration, international university applications, and overseas employment opportunities.