Every year, thousands of students choose Canada as their study destination, and this number continues to grow. To study in Canada, you must apply for a Canadian study permit. According to the latest data from the Canadian government, over 360,000 Canadian study permit applications were processed in 2024, with an approval rate exceeding 90%. To ensure your application is accepted, you'll need to submit several supporting documents, including your academic transcripts. These transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) for verification.

Many Canadian institutions now accept verified academic records online, streamlining the process and ensuring greater security. Learn how to submit your transcripts to WES for verification.

The Importance of Verifying Your Transcripts

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When submitting your Canadian study permit application, validating your transcript is essential. This process serves as a method to authenticate your educational documentation. The verification process confirms the accuracy of all information contained in a student's transcript, including personal details, educational institution name, enrollment periods, and other essential information.

A validated transcript reveals comprehensive details about a student's scholastic achievements, including academic scores and educational programs completed. This data plays a vital role in the study permit application process, helping Canadian immigration officials assess whether the applicant possesses the academic capabilities required to succeed in their intended studies.

If you choose to have WES (World Education Services) evaluate your transcript, this can expedite your study permit application process. Thus, transcript verification remains a fundamental requirement.

What You Need to Know About World Education Services

WES Canada operates as a non-profit entity specializing in the assessment and verification of academic qualifications obtained outside Canada and the United States. These evaluations serve various stakeholders including employers, educational institutions, and other organizations. The organization examines credentials from over 200 nations, delivering comprehensive analyses of international academic qualifications and their comparable equivalents within Canada and the United States. Their evaluation services cater to individuals, organizations, and businesses for multiple purposes.

Additionally, WES Canada delivers specialized research offerings, including developing comprehensive reports about international education frameworks and investigating associated subjects. Through these services, they enable employers and academic institutions to make well-informed decisions regarding internationally educated candidates by offering detailed credential comparisons across different countries.

WES verification documents can be utilized for immigration purposes, professional certification, and enrollment in universities, colleges, and other learning institutions. These evaluations are considered the standard method for assessing international qualifications and certifications.

It's important to mention that if you're planning to start your journey in Canada but need guidance on ensuring a smooth visa application process, you could significantly benefit from professional expertise. Our RCIC-certified consultants can assist in identifying suitable programs, completing application documentation, gathering required paperwork, submitting specific documents on your behalf, providing application status updates, and offering comprehensive support throughout your entire application journey.

Steps to Verifying Your Transcripts

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When submitting your academic records for assessment, it's essential to follow the proper procedures to ensure accurate evaluation, especially if you're planning to enroll in a Canadian educational institution.

Step 1: Select The Appropriate Assessment

Prior to submitting your academic documents, consult your intended educational institution about their required evaluation type and whether digital submission is available. WES indicates that electronic document transmission typically results in quicker processing times.

WES provides three types of evaluation reports for students from abroad:

  • First-Year Student Evaluations
  • Master's and Doctoral Admissions
  • Credit Transfer Evaluations
  • First-Year Student Evaluations

For incoming international freshmen, WES suggests a credential-by-credential assessment. Your evaluation report will examine each document separately and include:

  • The credential title
  • Admission prerequisites
  • Duration of study
  • The U.S. educational equivalent

Additionally, you'll receive a WES digital credential that's compatible with professional networks like LinkedIn and other social platforms.

Graduate Admissions

For graduate applicants, WES suggests completing a course-by-course evaluation. Your evaluation report will analyze and detail each of your academic credentials and will include the following:

  • The credential's official title;
  • The admission prerequisites;
  • The duration of study;
  • A comprehensive record of all post-secondary courses completed;
  • Each course's U.S. equivalent in semester credits and grades;
  • A calculated U.S. grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale; and
  • An indication of undergraduate course levels (upper or lower division).

Step 2: Get Your Documents to WES

For evaluation purposes, your academic institution needs to submit your documents to WES. Most schools utilize either their own online systems or work with third-party services. You'll receive a comprehensive list of required documentation. The specific documents needed will vary based on several factors:

  • Your country of origin;
  • Your current educational status (whether you've completed your studies);
  • Your educational level (such as secondary or post-secondary);
  • The category of institution you attended;
  • Your qualification type (such as diploma, degree, certificate, etc.).

WES accepts document submissions through three primary channels:

  • Online submission;
  • Direct submission; or
  • Email submission.

Sending Transcripts to WES Electronically

The process of submitting transcripts to WES electronically is quite straightforward. The online submission system is the preferred method due to its speed and efficiency. Currently, over 7,500 educational institutions worldwide utilize this digital platform for transcript submission. The most common approach involves using your university's online portal. These platforms typically maintain digital copies of all essential academic documents, including qualifications and transcripts.

The submission process requires you to access both your university's online platform and the WES document submission system. Once submitted, WES receives a secure link that provides access to your transcripts and other documents requiring verification.

If your university's online platform doesn't list WES as a recipient option for your documents, you can alternatively send them directly to the email address provided on the WES Required documents page.

Sending Transcripts to WES Directly

The direct submission method to WES, while slightly more time-consuming than the online option, remains a viable alternative. WES collaborates with numerous third-party providers to facilitate document submission. A detailed list of these providers is available on their website.

Institutions can securely submit documents through two verified channels:

  • Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP);
  • Application Programming Interface (API).

Email Admissions

While online or direct submissions are typically preferred, WES maintains an email submission option since not all institutions can utilize the other methods. The email submission process has specific requirements that must be followed.

  • WES requires verification of the sender's email through the institution's official website;
  • Documents must be sent by authorized departments such as the Office of the Registrar,
  • Controller of Examinations, Exams, Awards and Graduation Department, Student Services Department, or Office of Academic Records;
  • All shared documents need to be in a secure, unalterable format (such as PDF);
  • Emails must undergo anti-spoofing measures and security verification protocols.

For transcript submissions to WES, use the email address submit@wes.org.

The Costs Involved

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A WES Credential Evaluation typically costs around 220 CAD, excluding additional charges for shipping. This evaluation provides you with both a digital and an official paper copy of your academic credentials, ensuring you have a comprehensive record of your qualifications. One of the key benefits of this service is that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can directly access your evaluation. Furthermore, your report is securely stored in digital format, allowing for convenient reference whenever needed in the future, whether for immigration purposes, further education, or professional opportunities in Canada.

Tips for Submitting Your Transcripts for WES Credential Evaluation

Submitting your transcripts for a WES Credential Evaluation is a critical step in verifying your academic credentials for immigration, education, or employment purposes in Canada. To ensure a smooth and efficient process, it’s important to follow specific guidelines and avoid common mistakes. These tips will help you navigate the submission process with ease and avoid delays or complications.

  • Verify Document Requirements: Before starting the process, check the list of required documents for your country and institution to ensure you’re submitting the correct paperwork.
  • Include Your WES Reference Number: Make sure your WES Reference Number is included on all documents to help link them accurately to your application.
  • Follow Submission Guidelines Closely: Carefully follow the instructions provided by WES to avoid unnecessary delays or complications in the evaluation process.
  • Avoid Adding PINs or Expiry Dates: Ensure your documents are accessible to WES by not restricting access with a PIN or setting an expiry date.
  • Keep Your WES Account Secure: Protect your personal WES login details to safeguard your information and prevent unauthorized access.
  • Send Transcripts from Approved Sources: Make sure your transcripts are sent directly from your institution or an approved source, as WES will not accept them if they are sent to your personal email address first.

FAQs

How Long Does WES Take to Process Evaluations?

WES typically requires seven business days to process applications after receiving all required documents and fees. For Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applications, the processing duration extends to 35 business days, making early document submission highly recommended.

Can I Submit Documents to WES on my Own?

WES has discontinued accepting documents directly from international students. Educational institutions must forward transcripts to WES directly, including those sent electronically via email.

For How Long Is a WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Valid?

The WES ECA remains valid for five years from its issuance date. You can use this document for both Canada student visa and Express Entry applications.