What is WES Evaluation? How Much Are WES Fees in 2026

What is WES Evaluation?

WES is a non-profit organization that evaluates academic credentials earned outside the USA and Canada. Its report explains what your degree is, how long the program was and how it compares with a US or Canadian qualification, so that universities, employers, licensing bodies and immigration authorities can read it easily. Depending on the report you choose, it also converts your marks into a 4.0 GPA.

You may be asked for a WES report with an application for a master’s or PhD in the USA or Canada.

Why Do You Need a WES Evaluation Report?

Indian universities grade in percentages or on a 10-point CGPA, while US and Canadian institutions use a 4.0 GPA scale. India also has a very large and varied higher education system, so admissions offices that receive many Indian applications sometimes ask for a standard evaluation instead of converting every transcript themselves.

If you only need to convert your own grades for planning, see our guide to GPA in India and converting to the 4.0 scale.

Where is the WES Evaluation Commonly Used?

WES reports are accepted by many universities, licensing boards, government agencies and employers in both countries. A US evaluation cannot be used for Canada, and a Canadian one cannot be used for the USA. If you apply to both, you need separate reports and pay separate fees, so shortlist a focused set of universities to control cost.

Use GradRight’s university selection tool to narrow your list before you order reports.

When is the WES Evaluation Report Useful?

• University admissions, mainly master’s and PhD programs that ask for it
• Job applications with US or Canadian employers
• Professional licensing such as nursing, engineering, teaching, law and healthcare, depending on the licensing body
• US work visas such as H-1B, where degree equivalency must be shown (this matters most if your Indian bachelor’s degree was three years long)
• Canada Express Entry, where an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed to earn points for foreign education

Do All USA and Canadian Colleges Need a WES Evaluation Report?

No. Requirements differ by university and by program. Many schools review Indian transcripts themselves, some use their own evaluator, and some accept reports from other credential evaluation services. Always check the “international applicants” or “credential evaluation” section of the specific program page before you pay for a report.

Which Indian Universities are Recognised by WES?

WES relies on Indian government accreditation and recognition bodies, such as the UGC, AICTE and the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD), to judge whether an institution is recognized. Graduates of recognized universities are generally able to get an evaluation. If you are unsure about your university or degree, use the free degree equivalency tool on the WES website or ask WES before you apply.

Types of WES Evaluation: Which One Should You Choose?

If a university asks you for a WES report, it is usually the Course-by-Course type. Confirm the exact report type the university wants before ordering, because upgrading later costs extra.

WES Fees 2026: How Much Does a WES Evaluation Cost?

WES US prices are listed as “starts at” amounts and rose by 3% from 1 January 2026. The figures below are from the WES evaluations and fees page; rupee figures use about Rs 97 per US dollar (early October 2026) and will move with the exchange rate.

Common extra fees (USA): 

Canada (WES, in CAD): Course-by-Course starts at CAD 242 (Basic) or CAD 284 (ICAP), and Document-by-Document at CAD 133 or CAD 175. The Evaluation for Canadian Immigration (ECA) costs CAD 264. Prices exclude delivery and 13% HST where it applies.

Fees can change, so confirm the current price on wes.org before you pay.

WES Basic vs WES ICAP: What is the Difference?

Basic gives you the evaluation report without keeping your documents on file. ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) adds secure storage of your verified documents and delivery of verified transcripts to institutions, so you can send reports to more schools later without resubmitting documents. It also adds a LinkedIn digital badge. If you are applying to only one or two schools, Basic is usually enough; if you may apply to many schools or later to Canada or for licensing, ICAP can save effort.

What Documents Do You Need for a WES Evaluation?

Requirements depend on your country and degree, so always check the document list shown in your WES account. Indian students are commonly asked for the following:

• Degree certificate (final or provisional)
• Attested statements of marks or all semester mark sheets

Documents usually must come from the issuing university, be in English or officially translated, and be sent sealed or electronically by the authorized office.

Learn more about academic transcripts and how to get them and the full study abroad documents checklist.

How to Apply for a WES Evaluation Report: 3 Steps

Timeline: WES has typically quoted about 7 business days to complete an evaluation after it receives all documents and payment, but the clock does not start until everything arrives. Add time for your university to send attested documents, for any verification, and for delivery of the report. As a planning estimate, allow 4 to 7 weeks end to end, and start 2 to 3 months before your application deadline. Check your WES account for live status.

Plan around deadlines using our guide to university application deadlines in the USA, UK and Australia and the fall intake in Canada.

Is WES Evaluation Mandatory in the USA and Canada?

USA: Not universal. Requirements vary by university and program, and some schools accept other evaluation services. For H-1B, USCIS looks for proof that your education equals a US degree, and a credential evaluation is a common way to show that; ask your employer’s immigration lawyer which report they need. See the study in USA guide and new F-1 visa rules for the wider process.

Canada Express Entry: An ECA is required if you want to qualify as a principal applicant under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or earn points for education completed outside Canada. It does not have to come from WES: IRCC accepts ECAs from five designated organizations (WES, the Comparative Education Service of the University of Toronto, ICAS, IQAS and the BCIT International Credential Evaluation Service). The ECA must be less than 5 years old when you create your profile and when you apply, and you do not need one for a Canadian degree. Details are on the IRCC ECA page.

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