5 Things to Know About Credential Evaluations in 2021
As we enter a new year, many international students and immigrants are eager to move forward with their plans to study, work, and live in the United States and Canada.
World Education Services (WES) would like to help you achieve those goals. We’ve rounded up some of the most important information you’ll need in order to take your next steps and obtain your credential evaluation report.
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Advice for Getting an Evaluation in 2021
The most important thing you should know is that we have stayed open for business throughout the pandemic. Therefore, all of our applicants have been able to continue moving forward.
WES did face some challenges; in response, we innovated solutions that would make it even faster and easier to receive a credential evaluation. We are glad that applicants will continue to benefit from those solutions for years to come.
Below are five updates that you should start taking advantage of right away:
1. WES Processing Times and How to Track Mail
The question that applicants ask most frequently is: How long does it take to get a credential evaluation from WES?
That answer actually depends on what type of report you ordered and if you are heading to Canada or the U.S. For an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), it takes about 35 days to complete your report (once we have received all of your required documents and your payment in full). For all other credential evaluation reports, that average period is 7 days.
The best thing you can do to expedite your report is carefully review your Required Documents and ensure that WES receives them as quickly as possible. You can also encourage your school to send us your documents digitally (learn more about that below).
We recommend that you use the tracking number provided by your courier service to see when your documents arrive at WES. From there, we will process and scan your documents. Once they are successfully processed, you will receive an update in My Account.
In 2021, you can find the latest updates about processing times (and other important announcements) on the Notifications Page.
2. Electronic File Transfers Can Expedite Your Report
WES helped institutions around the world conquer one of their greatest difficulties during the pandemic by facilitating secure electronic file transfers. Today, we partner with thousands of institutions to receive documents electronically, which allows us start evaluating them sooner. Visit Required Documents to learn about whether your school is already capable of sending your documents to us digitally. If not, learn how they can join our growing network and quickly send your documents to WES.
3. You Can Upload Files to My Account
Instead of mailing a physical copy, you can upload translations and degree certificates directly to My Account. That means we’ll receive and process your documents faster, without any shipping delays.
Next, review your Required Documents and ensure that your institution sends all other document types (such as mark sheets, transcripts, and exam results) directly to WES. Applicants cannot mail their own documents to WES. Learn more here.
Remember: We need all of your required documents to start your evaluation. Therefore, uploading some of your documents directly can help reduce your overall wait. Find important tips about how to upload documents in this blog post.
4. It’s Easier Than Ever to Apply for Your ECA
Did you know that most applicants only need to share their highest earned credential in order to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from WES? For example, if you are immigrating to Canada and you have a postsecondary degree from another country, you likely do not need to send transcripts or files from your secondary studies. Learn more about it here.
5. Contact Us Through My Account
We’ve made it easier for applicants to get customized help with their evaluation reports!
Log in to My Account, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Contact Us. This will automatically link your request to your Reference Number, allowing customer service representatives to quickly reply with specific instructions. Now, applicants can fill out less information, send questions faster, and still receive highly accurate responses.
For more information, browse our list of frequently asked questions in the Help Center.
You can also keep up with our latest operational updates on the Notifications Page.
Ready to Get Started?
