A WES ECA costs CAD $264 and takes 4–6 weeks after documents arrive — but the real timeline is 6–12 weeks because document transit from your university adds weeks. Start this before anything else. If your ECA expires before you apply, your entire Express Entry profile becomes invalid. Total end-to-end: 6–12 weeks depending on your country.
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WES ECA — Quick Answer (2026)
💸 Fee: CAD $264 (ECA for IRCC)
⏱ WES processing: 4–6 weeks after documents received
📬 Document transit: 2–6 weeks (varies by country)
📋 Total timeline: 6–12 weeks end-to-end
🔗 Apply: wes.org/evaluations/
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The WES Educational Credential Assessment is required for Express Entry. It confirms your degree is equivalent to a Canadian credential. Here's exactly how the process works and how long it takes.
Current processing time
WES themselves process evaluations in 4-6 weeks after receiving all documents. But the total time is usually longer because your university needs to send transcripts directly to WES.
Realistic total timelines by country:
| Origin country | University transcript time | WES processing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 6-10 weeks |
| Nigeria | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 6-10 weeks |
| Philippines | 2-3 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 6-9 weeks |
| Brazil | 2-3 weeks (may need certified translation) | 4-6 weeks | 6-9 weeks |
| Mexico | 1-2 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 5-8 weeks |
The step-by-step process
Step 1: Create a WES account at wes.org and select the IRCC evaluation.
Step 2: Request your university send sealed, official transcripts directly to WES. This is the step most people underestimate. Your university registrar's office may take weeks to process this request.
Step 3: Send your degree certificate (graduation certificate) to WES. You can mail it yourself — it doesn't need to come from the university.
Step 4: WES reviews everything and issues your ECA report. This is the 4-6 week part.
Step 5: WES sends the results to you electronically and to IRCC if you authorize it.
How much it costs
| Item | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| WES evaluation fee | ~$264 |
| Document courier (to WES from overseas) | ~$30-80 |
| University transcript fee | Varies ($10-50) |
| **Total** | **~$260-350** |
Common mistakes that cause delays
Not requesting transcripts early enough. Start this the day you decide to pursue Express Entry. Don't wait until you're ready to submit your profile.
Sending transcripts yourself. WES requires official transcripts sent directly from the university. If you mail your own copy, it will be rejected and you'll lose weeks.
Missing documents. If you have multiple degrees, WES needs transcripts for the degree you want evaluated. If you want your highest degree evaluated, you may also need to submit transcripts from your undergraduate program.
Nigerian universities: Some Nigerian universities are slow to respond to WES requests. Follow up with your university registrar frequently and ask for tracking information.
Alternatives to WES
WES is the most popular ECA provider, but IRCC accepts evaluations from several other organizations:
- **IQAS** (International Qualifications Assessment Service, Alberta) — some applicants report faster processing for certain countries
- **Comparative Education Service** (University of Toronto)
- **International Credential Assessment Service of Canada** (ICAS)
- **Medical Council of Canada** (for physicians only)
- **Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada** (for pharmacists only)
If you've heard WES is backlogged, check IQAS as an alternative.
How WES results affect your CRS
Your WES evaluation determines how many education points you receive:
| Canadian equivalent | CRS points |
|---|---|
| PhD | 150 |
| Master's degree | 135 |
| Two or more credentials (one 3+ years) | 128 |
| Bachelor's degree (3+ years) | 120 |
| Two-year diploma | 98 |
| One-year diploma | 90 |
All processing times verified from WES official website, March 2026.
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Where People Actually Struggle
Document transit time. WES processing is 4-6 weeks AFTER your documents arrive. Getting transcripts from your university to WES can take 2-6 weeks depending on your country. Start this before everything else.
India: Send transcripts via WES's designated agency. Direct mail from universities is slow.
Nigeria: University verification can take 6-10 weeks. Start early.
Philippines: Request through your university registrar. PSA documents needed too.
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Should You Use WES or Another Agency?
✅ WES is best if: You're applying through Express Entry — WES is the most widely recognized ECA provider.
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