THE LIFETIME VALUE

OF A WES CREDENTIAL
EVALUATION

© 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
Considerations Before Ordering a Credential Evaluation.............................................................. 4
Why Order a WES Credential Evaluation?....................................................................................... 6
What Makes WES Different?............................................................................................................. 7
The Non-Profit Difference................................................................................................................ 8
The WES Gateway Program....................................................................................................... 8
WES Global Talent Bridge.......................................................................................................... 9
WES Advisor ............................................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................... 10
Resources....................................................................................................................................... 10

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

2
INTRODUCTION
What is a credential evaluation?

A credential evaluation compares an individual’s international academic accomplishments to

standards in the United States or Canada. The credential evaluation process involves an analysis
and assessment—or evaluation—of a person’s academic documents, such as transcripts and
degree certificates—or credentials. The result of this process is a credential evaluation report, a
document that lists the academic credentials earned outside the U.S. or Canada alongside their
U.S. or Canadian equivalencies.

A credential evaluation report is a valuable document for immigrants, professionals, refugees,

and students alike. It can open doors to more and better opportunities, new career and
educational pathways, and improved prospects in another country.

In this e-guide, you will learn about the credential evaluations WES offers. Keep reading to explore:

• Considerations before purchasing a credential evaluation

• Benefits of obtaining a WES credential evaluation
• What makes WES different

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

3
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE ORDERING A
CREDENTIAL EVALUATION
Determine your goal or reasons for obtaining a credential evaluation before ordering one.
Depending on your goal, you might need to order from a specific service provider, or purchase a
particular type of credential evaluation.

Start by asking the institution that is requesting the credential evaluation what their
requirements are. Every institution has a different process and requirement for credential
evaluation services.

Some might have their own internal process and, therefore, not rely on an external evaluation
service like WES. For example, the Medical Council of Canada, which assesses medical students
and graduates, has an internal process for evaluating international education. Therefore,
internationally trained physicians and specialist physicians who want to practice in Canada must
have their credentials assessed by the Medical Council of Canada.

Other institutions will require that you use a preferred provider or choose from a list of
selected providers.

No one single evaluation service or process is universally accepted or recognized. Therefore, it is

important for you to do your research before choosing a credential evaluation provider.

Below are five common reasons for obtaining a credential evaluation:

• Employment: A credential evaluation might be necessary when applying to certain jobs. Even
if it is not required for the job application, a credential evaluation is a useful document to bring
to a job interview because having one shows that you are a proactive, prepared candidate. It
can also give you a competitive advantage, especially if your competitors are local applicants.
Finally, a credential evaluation report helps employers understand what your education is
equivalent to in Canada or the U.S. For this reason, it’s a good idea to indicate your Canadian
or U.S. equivalency on your résumé. This will allow hiring managers and recruiters to clearly
understand your qualifications and eligibility for the job.

• Education: When applying to gain admission to colleges or universities, a credential evaluation

is usually a prerequisite for international students. A credential evaluation helps admissions
officers understand your educational background. It can also help you negotiate credit or
block transfers.

• Licensing: Certain professions in the U.S. and Canada require licensure by a state, federal,
territorial, or provincial board before you can practice in the field. Licensing boards usually have
an educational requirement for licensure that a credential evaluation can help you satisfy.

• Immigration: A WES credential evaluation helps immigration officers understand your

educational background. In the U.S., a credential evaluation report is required of those who
qualify and apply for the H-1B work visa based on their education. In Canada, WES is one of

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

4
 the credential evaluation providers designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC), the government’s immigration ministry, to provide Educational Credential
Assessments (ECAs) for degrees and diplomas earned outside of Canada. To apply for certain
IRCC immigration programs, an ECA is required.
• Apprenticeship Programs: You might need a credential evaluation to be admitted to an
apprenticeship program. These programs provide training for careers in the trades, such as
electrical work, plumbing, and dental hygiene.

Related Reading:
About WES Credential Evaluations

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

5
WHY ORDER A WES CREDENTIAL EVALUATION?
A WES credential evaluation can help you achieve your personal, educational, and professional
goals. Here’s how:

Authentication of Academic Documents

Internationally educated individuals obtain a credential evaluation to provide proof and

validation of their academic achievements. Having a WES credential evaluation means that your
academic documents have been authenticated.

As a result, WES is highly respected and trusted among many U.S. and Canadian institutions,
including immigration authorities, employers, colleges and universities, and professional
licensing bodies and boards. WES also actively maintains relationships with U.S. and Canadian
organizations that accept our credential evaluation reports. 

Increased Global Mobility

In today’s globalized world, more and more people are leaving their home countries in search
of higher-paying jobs, further education, greater opportunities, and often, a better life. A WES
credential evaluation can help bring to fruition the promise of opportunity in a new country.

A credential evaluation helps institutions and individuals understand your international

education, experience, and qualifications.

With your evaluation report in hand, you can fully utilize your education and quickly integrate into
the workforce of a new country.

Lifetime Value

Your education does not expire, and neither should your credential evaluation report. Standard
WES credential evaluations, which include our Course-by-Course and Document-by-Document
evaluations, have no expiration date.

The only WES credential evaluation that has a date of expiration is the ECA. This report is used
to apply for certain Canadian immigration programs, including Express Entry and Provincial
Nominee Programs.

ECAs are valid for five years, but your academic records are stored for 10 years. ECAs can be easily
renewed online for an additional five years via My Account.

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

6
WHAT MAKES WES DIFFERENT?
WES offers two unique services that help individuals maximize the value of their
credential evaluation:

ICAP

“ICAP” stands for “international credential advantage package.” If you choose the ICAP service,
WES will store your verified transcripts as well as your evaluation report. ICAP enables you to easily
send your evaluation reports and transcripts to universities and regulatory or licensing bodies at
any time. ICAP can save you time and money. For example, if you have a few goals, such as going
back to school and obtaining a license, you might need to ask your university to send transcripts
in sealed envelopes multiple times. This process can cost a lot of money and take months. ICAP
simplifies the process by sending your evaluation report and verified transcripts together.

The ICAP service is automatically included with an ECA. You can add ICAP to our other credential
evaluations for an additional fee. This service makes it easy to use your credential evaluation for
multiple purposes over the course of your lifetime.

WES Digital Badges

If you order the ICAP service, you will receive a WES Digital Badge. You can use the WES Digital Badge
to display your verified credentials online, including on social networking sites such as LinkedIn. 

The WES Digital Badge provides one-click verification of your international education. It also: 

• Increases your marketability to employers

• Helps you stand out from other candidates
• Provides one place to collect and manage all your credentials

Displaying your WES Digital Badge on your social media accounts is a great way to
show that your academic credentials are recognized internationally. Visit this page
to learn more about the benefits of WES Digital Badges.

Ready to begin the credential evaluation process?

Apply now.

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

7
THE NON-PROFIT DIFFERENCE
As a non-profit social enterprise, WES is committed to making an impact in the lives of
international students, professionals, and immigrants. This commitment is expressed, in part,
by our support of displaced individuals and refugees whose lives have been upended by political
unrest, conflict, and natural disasters.

THE WES GATEWAY PROGRAM

WES is aware of the challenges inherent in fleeing one country, only to arrive in another with
limited or no academic documents. To address this issue and support recent arrivals, the WES
Gateway Program was launched in 2018.

The WES Gateway Program has helped hundreds of displaced individuals and refugees who
have only incomplete, non-verifiable documents to restart their lives in Canada. This program
evaluates the credentials of displaced individuals educated in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Syria,
Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela who meet the following criteria:

• They currently reside in Canada.

• They were referred by a WES partner agency. 

• They are unable to get their academic documents from their institution, but have proof of their
academic attainment, such as a transcript, degree certificate, or professional license.

A WES Gateway Program credential evaluation can facilitate career pursuits or higher education
goals, and help make alternative employment or academic options possible for displaced
individuals. Visit this page to learn more about the WES Gateway Program.

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

8
WES Global Talent Bridge is dedicated to helping skilled immigrants integrate economically and
professionally into the U.S. and Canada, so they can make full use of their talents and education.
If you are thinking of immigrating to the U.S. or Canada, or you are already here, WES Global
Talent Bridge has many resources available to guide you as you adjust to life in a new country.

Here are just a few of the free services WES Global Talent Bridge offers:

• Online and in-person events

• Referrals to other organizations that can support your goals

• Profession-specific e-guides on careers in engineering, architecture, and more

• Webinars on job search preparation

WES Advisor produces a wide variety of free content for international students and skilled
immigrants. In addition to developing e-guides like this one, we offer:

• Webinars and videos

• Blog posts on topics ranging from credential evaluations and immigration news to higher
education and employment advice

To hear about our latest blog posts, e-guides, and webinars, subscribe to our
biweekly newsletter.

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

9
CONCLUSION
Now that you have a better understanding of why credential evaluation is important, it’s time
to start the application process. If you’re still curious about credential evaluation, check out our
Help Center, which has the answers to many frequently asked questions. If you’re ready to get
started, create an account to apply for your credential evaluation today!

RESOURCES
• Succeed in a New Country with Limited Documentation

• The WES Credential Review and Evaluation Process Explained

• What to Expect After You Receive Your Credential Evaluation

• How to Use Your Credential Evaluation for Employment, Education, and

Professional Licensure

• About WES Credential Evaluation

• Webinar: The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation

• How to Upgrade Your WES Credential Evaluation Report

• 7 Ways to Make the WES Credential Evaluation Process Work for You

• Behind the Scenes of the Credential Evaluation Process

The Lifetime Value of a WES Credential Evaluation | © 2020 World Education Services. All rights reserved.

10
 Our Expertise. Your Success.

wes.org/eguides
advisor@wes.org

WES Advisor is an initiative of World Education

Services, a non-profit with more than 45 years of
experience in international education.

We provide advice and resources for international

students and skilled immigrants to help them make
informed decisions about education, employment,
immigration, and integration opportunities in the
U.S. and Canada.

Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.