ECA for Canada 2026: WES Fees, Processing Times and How Long It Stays Valid

How long does a WES evaluation take, and can you check the status online?

Standard WES processing runs about 6 to 10 weeks once WES has received all your documents, and you can track every stage from your online WES account. The clock starts when ALL documents arrive at WES, not when you open the application. Processing happens in two phases inside WES, with a third phase, your institution mailing documents, that catches most applicants off guard.

Phase 1: Document review (2 to 4 weeks) WES contacts your institution and requests official documents. Your school sends sealed transcripts and degree certificates directly to WES. You cannot submit these yourself. WES reviews them for completeness. This phase can stretch to 4 weeks if your institution responds slowly or documents are incomplete.

Phase 2: Credential evaluation (up to 2 weeks) Once WES accepts your documents as complete, it evaluates your credentials and produces the ECA report, usually within 2 weeks.

You can log in to your WES account at any point to see whether documents have arrived, whether the evaluation is in progress, and when the report has issued. Plan for 8 to 16 weeks from the day you request transcripts to the day you receive your ECA report. If your institution is in Iran or experiences mail disruptions, add 2 to 4 weeks more.

Document delivery disruptions for Iranian institutions

WES has posted notices that Iranian educational institutions are operating at reduced capacity. Mail from Iran to Canada can be delayed or disrupted. If you attended university in Iran, request your transcripts immediately, even if you haven't decided to apply for Express Entry yet. Don't wait. Some institutions only process requests through specific channels, and some have closed temporarily. The sooner you initiate the request, the sooner documents can be sent. Even if WES doesn't receive them for two months, you'll have started the clock.

What is the fastest ECA for Canada immigration?

There is no single "fastest" organization that beats the others by a wide margin, because the slowest step is almost always your institution mailing documents, not the evaluation itself. WES, IQAS, CES, ICES, and ICAS all complete the evaluation in roughly 2 to 4 weeks once they hold complete documents. WES tends to be quickest in practice because it has the largest institution database and the most automated intake, so its document-review phase moves faster for common universities. The single biggest speed lever you control is requesting transcripts the day you decide to apply and paying for courier delivery instead of regular mail.

To compress the timeline: request documents early, ask your institution to ship by courier, choose an organization that already recognizes your school, and respond to any WES document request within 24 hours. Speed is mostly about your paperwork discipline, not the brand on the report.

How long is a WES ECA valid for IRCC?

A WES ECA is valid for 5 years from its issue date. IRCC states that your ECA must be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application. If your assessment will expire before you can apply, contact the organization that issued it; WES can re-issue the same report rather than re-evaluate from scratch.

This is one of the most-searched questions about WES, and the answer is firm: 5 years. You do not need a full re-evaluation when it expires, because your credentials haven't changed. WES issues a duplicate report with the same equivalency and a new validity date. The duplicate fee is C$58 for a WES Basic report or C$35 for a WES ICAP report, and it takes roughly 1 to 2 weeks. Many applicants miss this option and assume they must pay for an entirely new evaluation. Confirm the current validity rule on the IRCC educational credential assessment page before you plan around an expiry date.

ECA vs WES: what's the difference?

"ECA vs WES" is a comparison that doesn't really exist, because they aren't competitors. ECA is the report type IRCC requires; WES is one designated provider that issues it. The real comparison is between providers: WES vs CES, WES vs IQAS, and so on. All five are equally valid for Express Entry, so the question becomes which one evaluates your country's credentials fastest and most generously.

If you've seen the related question "is ECA better or ECE," note that ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) is a United States evaluator commonly used for American immigration and licensing, not an IRCC-designated body for Express Entry. For Canadian immigration, stick to the five IRCC-designated organizations.

What's the difference between ICAP and a basic ECA?

The basic ECA gives a single equivalency statement (your degree equals Canadian X) and is all most Express Entry applicants need. ICAP (the WES International Credential Advantage Package, sometimes shown as International Comparative Analysis Profile) adds a course-by-course breakdown on top of the ECA. You see which of your courses map to which Canadian courses. That detail is useful if you're also applying to a Canadian university or a licensing body, but IRCC does not require it for Express Entry.

ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) for IRCC The standard report. WES provides a single equivalency statement, such as "equivalent to a Canadian master's degree." This is what Express Entry requires. Cost: C$264. Processing: up to 2 weeks after document review.

ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) A detailed, course-by-course report that includes the ECA. More than most Express Entry applicants need, but some employers or professional bodies request it. Cost: higher than the base ECA. Processing: up to 4 weeks after document review. For Express Entry alone, the standard ECA is sufficient.

What does your degree become on the WES score report?

WES maps your foreign degree to a Canadian equivalency tier, which then converts to CRS points. A three-year or longer bachelor's becomes a Canadian three-year bachelor's, a master's becomes a Canadian master's, and a PhD becomes a Canadian PhD. Country-specific rules apply, especially for Iranian, Indian, and Pakistani degrees with non-standard program lengths, which is where applicants most often lose points.

When WES evaluates your credentials, it assigns your degree to one of several Canadian equivalency categories. The translation to CRS points works like this:

These points assume you are applying alone (no spouse). If you have a spouse with credentials, the calculation shifts slightly due to the spousal factor in the CRS formula. The most important takeaway: a degree WES evaluates as a diploma rather than a bachelor's costs you 30 CRS points, which can be the difference between an Invitation to Apply and a waiting list.

How many CRS education points does each degree level earn?

Your highest education level converts to CRS points on a fixed scale, and the number is lower for married applicants because some weight shifts to the spousal factors. For a single applicant, a PhD earns 150 points, a master's earns 135, a three-year-or-longer bachelor's earns 120, a two-year credential earns 98, and a one-year post-secondary credential earns 90. The full table, with married-applicant figures, follows. You can confirm these against the official IRCC CRS criteria page.

Additional points are available for education combined with work experience or language ability. The base education points above apply regardless of your work history or language proficiency. To model your own total, use the CRS calculator.

How do you renew a WES ECA after 5 years?

You renew a WES ECA by requesting a duplicate report, not a full re-evaluation. Because your credentials haven't changed, WES re-issues the same equivalency with a fresh validity date. The duplicate fee is C$58 for a WES Basic report or C$35 for a WES ICAP report, and processing takes about 1 to 2 weeks. After 5 years, IRCC will not accept the expired report in a new Express Entry application, so plan the renewal before you complete a new profile.

Many applicants miss this option and assume they must pay the full C$264 evaluation again. They don't. Order the duplicate from your WES account, send it to IRCC, and you keep the same equivalency at a fraction of the cost and time. The only situation that needs a fresh evaluation is when you've earned a new, higher credential you want assessed.

What are the common degree downgrade traps?

Iranian and South Asian applicants get hit hardest at this stage. WES has specific rules about what counts as a bachelor's, master's, or diploma based on program duration and structure, and a downgrade can cost 30 to 45 CRS points. Two-year programs, especially Iranian Kardani diplomas, often evaluate as one-year Canadian credentials. Three-year Indian bachelor's degrees and short MBA programs are the other frequent traps.

The two-year MBA problem (South Asia)

WES sometimes evaluates a two-year Indian or Pakistani MBA as a "post-graduate diploma" rather than a "master's degree." That costs you 45 CRS points. WES compares the program duration to Canadian master's degrees, which run two years but typically include a thesis or major project. A two-year taught MBA without a thesis can fall short.

Solution: if your MBA was three years long or included a thesis or capstone with significant research, ask WES to clarify the evaluation before you submit your application. Some South Asian MBAs come back as master's (135 points), others as diplomas (90 points). The difference is often the program structure, not the name.

Islamic Azad University and online programs (Iran)

WES applies complex rules to Islamic Azad University (IAU), Iran's largest private university. IAU holds legitimate accreditation, but some programs, especially online programs, have faced questions about recognition. WES will evaluate an IAU degree, but:

• On-campus degrees at main IAU campuses are evaluated at full equivalency.
• Online degrees or degrees from smaller IAU branches may be evaluated as lower levels (diploma instead of bachelor's).
• Any degree from an unaccredited IAU branch will be rejected.

Before you request an IAU transcript, check whether WES recognizes your specific campus and program. Email WES with your institution name and program, and it will tell you in advance what equivalency to expect.

Foreign online degrees

A degree earned entirely online from a non-Canadian institution faces heightened scrutiny. WES may evaluate it as a diploma or certificate rather than a bachelor's if the program lacked accreditation in its home country, ran for less than 2 years of full-time study, or lacked a recognized thesis or capstone. If you earned a degree online from an unaccredited or low-reputation institution, consider completing a Canadian post-secondary program first via a study permit before applying for Express Entry. A Canadian diploma or bachelor's adds CRS points and removes uncertainty about credential recognition.

How do Iranian applicants handle sanctions, mail delays, and document requests?

Iranian applicants face three obstacles general guides skip: you cannot pay WES from inside Iran because of United States sanctions, mail from Iran is unreliable, and Iranian universities can take 4 to 12 weeks to release transcripts. None of these block your application, but each one needs a workaround you should set up before you start. Payment flows through a relative or representative abroad, documents often ship by courier through a contact in Turkey or the UAE, and transcript requests go in as early as possible.

How to pay for WES when you're in Iran

You cannot pay WES directly from Iran due to United States sanctions. WES does not accept Iranian credit cards, Iranian bank accounts, or payments made within Iran. The workaround:

1. Ask a family member or friend outside Iran (in Canada, the United States, the UK, Australia, or elsewhere) to pay on your behalf.
2. Provide WES with that person's credit card or bank details.
3. WES processes the payment and sends the ECA report to your email address.

This is common and WES expects it. No penalty applies. The payment just has to originate from outside Iran.

Ordering transcripts from Iran

WES will contact your institution, but you should also act directly to speed the process:

• Contact your institution in advance and ask which channels they prefer for transcript requests.
• Provide WES with an alternate email or phone number in Iran where your institution can verify your identity quickly.
• Specify on the WES form that documents go to an international address.
• If your institution has an international relations office, contact them directly and explain you're applying for Canadian immigration.
• If online processing stalls, have a family member in Iran request transcripts in person.

Mail disruptions

Mail from Iran to North America can be delayed 6 to 12 weeks, or lost entirely. If your institution sends transcripts by regular mail, plan for 8 to 12 weeks. Some institutions now use couriers like DHL or FedEx, which arrive faster (2 to 4 weeks) but cost more. When you request transcripts, ask if they offer courier options and authorize the cost.

What do South Asian applicants need to know about MBA downgrades and accreditation?

Indian and Pakistani MBAs vary widely, and WES applies extra scrutiny to one-year MBAs and to MBAs from non-accredited institutions. Before you pay, check two things: your program's duration and structure, and your institution's accreditation status (UGC and NAAC for India, the Higher Education Commission for Pakistan). These two factors determine whether you get master's-equivalent (135 points) or post-bachelor's-diploma equivalency (90 points). A 45-point swing turns on details you can verify in advance.

MBA program duration and thesis

Check your MBA offer letter and transcript. If your program included a thesis or capstone (minimum 6 months of original research), a practicum or internship (6+ months), or project-based modules requiring original research, ask WES in advance whether it qualifies as a master's. Email WES with a description of your program structure through its contact channel before you submit your application. A quick clarification can save you 45 CRS points.

Accreditation questions from Indian universities

WES accepts most Indian universities recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) without issue. Some private or newer institutions face extra questions. If your university is less than 20 years old, has limited English-language documentation, is not AICTE-accredited, or offered the program through distance education, provide WES with extra documentation. A copy of the institution's accreditation certificate (from AICTE, the University Grants Commission, or your state government) sent with your application speeds evaluation.

What are the five most common WES mistakes to avoid?

The five mistakes that cost applicants the most time and points are: submitting documents yourself, applying for Express Entry before the ECA is ready, requesting only one transcript, choosing the wrong organization, and ignoring the 5-year expiry. Each one is avoidable with a few minutes of planning, and together they account for most of the months applicants lose on the credential stage.

1. Submitting documents yourself

WES requires official documents from your institution in a sealed envelope sent directly to WES. If you send photocopies or documents you opened yourself, WES rejects them and requests new ones, adding 2 to 8 weeks. Always have your institution send documents directly. Do not open them.

2. Applying for Express Entry before your ECA is complete

Your CRS score is only valid if you include an official ECA. Without it, an Express Entry profile sits inactive on the education factor. Once your ECA arrives, you still have to update your profile and wait for the next draw. Start your WES application immediately, even if you're not ready to apply yet.

3. Not requesting multiple documents at once

When you contact your institution, ask them to send the official transcript for WES, a second official transcript for future Canadian employers, your degree certificate, detailed course descriptions, and a letter of good standing. This costs little extra time and saves you from re-requesting documents later.

4. Choosing the wrong ECA organization

WES works for most applicants. If you have a master's degree, CES (University of Toronto) has a reputation for generous master's equivalencies. If IQAS processes your country's documents faster, IQAS is equally accepted. Research which organization handles your country's institutions most frequently before committing.

5. Ignoring the 5-year expiry

An ECA is good for 5 years. If you receive your ECA in June 2026, it expires in June 2031. If you're not ready to apply by then, request a duplicate report. The duplicate is cheap (C$35 to C$58) but requires planning ahead of your profile date.

What does a realistic WES action timeline look like?

A realistic timeline runs 8 to 16 weeks from the day you request transcripts to the day your ECA report reaches IRCC, longer for Iran and other regions with mail challenges. Week 1 is registration and choosing your evaluation type. Weeks 2 to 3 are transcript requests. Weeks 4 to 14 cover document transit, WES review, and the evaluation itself. The single variable that moves the total most is how fast your institution mails documents.

Best case is about 12 weeks. Realistic case is 14 to 16 weeks. With Iran-based institutions or other delays, plan for 18 to 20 weeks. Start your WES application now: even if you don't apply for Express Entry immediately, having your ECA in hand keeps your options open.

A note on immigration advice and self-employment

Only certain professionals can give you paid Canadian immigration advice: a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), a lawyer in good standing with a provincial law society, or a Quebec notary. Ontario paralegals are limited to representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) and cannot give full paid immigration advice. Anyone else charging for advice on your ECA strategy or Express Entry profile is operating outside the law.

One more point for newcomers planning a career pivot in Canada: self-employed income does not count as skilled work experience for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). If you plan to freelance or run your own business after landing, those hours will not earn you CEC eligibility, even though they may grow your income. Plan your Express Entry strategy around employee experience if CEC is your target pathway.

Next steps: get your ECA strategy right

WES Canada credential evaluation is not complicated, but a small mistake in document handling or program understanding can cost you 30 to 45 CRS points. For applicants from Iran, Pakistan, or India, institutional recognition and program structure questions add extra complexity. Getting the equivalency right the first time is the difference between a competitive CRS score and a year of waiting.

Book a consultation with a Go Far Global RCIC to discuss your specific credentials, institution, and degree before you apply for your ECA. We can clarify whether your degree will come back as a master's or a diploma, whether your institution faces recognition issues, and whether Express Entry is the right path for your CRS score. Your education is one of your strongest immigration assets. Make sure it counts.

Schedule an ECA strategy consultation with a Go Far Global immigration consultant today. We'll review your credentials, estimate your CRS score, and outline your next steps.

Sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Educational Credential Assessment (Express Entry) (last updated August 21, 2025)
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Express Entry CRS Criteria
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Six selection factors for Federal Skilled Workers
• WES Educational Credential Assessment for IRCC
• WES Credential Evaluations and Fees
• WES Important Notices
• Use a CRS Calculator
• Express Entry Overview