In today’s interconnected world, crossing borders for education, employment, or permanent residency is no longer unusual—it’s the norm. Whether you’re a student planning to pursue higher education abroad or a skilled professional applying for immigration, one crucial step often stands between your academic achievements and international acceptance: Foreign Education Evaluation.
This process plays a pivotal role in ensuring your qualifications are recognized in another country, especially in nations like Canada, the United States, the UK, Australia, and Germany. It converts your native country’s educational credentials into their international equivalents, bridging the gap between systems that operate under different academic frameworks.
This comprehensive guide explores the step-by-step foreign education evaluation process, who needs it, key evaluating bodies, required documents, and how academic document facilitators like FACTS Transcripts can help ensure a hassle-free and efficient journey.
What Is Foreign Education Evaluation?
Foreign education evaluation is the process of verifying and assessing academic credentials obtained outside the destination country. This evaluation determines the equivalency of your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate compared to local educational standards.
It is typically performed by government-approved or independent credential evaluation agencies and is often required for:
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University admissions
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Employment in regulated professions
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Immigration and permanent residency applications
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Licensing and certification
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Government verification and document authentication
Why Is It Necessary?
Different countries have different academic structures, grading systems, and program durations. For example, a Bachelor’s degree from India may have a different structure than one from the US or Canada. Credential evaluators standardize these differences and provide a report that local institutions or immigration departments can understand and trust.
Without a valid education evaluation:
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Universities may not grant admission
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Employers may reject your job application
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Immigration applications (like Canada’s Express Entry) may be deemed incomplete
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Professional licensing boards may disqualify you from certification
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PR points may not be awarded accurately
Who Performs Foreign Education Evaluation?
Different countries have designated evaluation agencies. Here are some of the most prominent:
Canada:
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WES (World Education Services)
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IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
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ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service)
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CES (Comparative Education Service)
USA:
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WES
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ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)
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NACES-approved agencies
UK:
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UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC)
Australia:
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Vetassess
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Australian Education International – NOOSR
Germany:
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ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education)
These agencies evaluate the authenticity, level, and academic relevance of your credentials and issue an official equivalency report.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Foreign Education Evaluation Process (2025)
Let’s walk through the general steps you’ll need to follow to have your academic documents evaluated abroad.
Step 1: Choose the Right Evaluation Agency
Your first step is determining which agency your target institution or immigration program accepts. For example:
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For Canada immigration, WES, IQAS, CES, or ICES are accepted by IRCC.
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For US universities, each institution may have its preferred NACES-member agency.
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For UK student visas, UK ENIC is recognized by the Home Office.
Always check the official website or contact the university/employer/immigration department to confirm which agency to use.
Step 2: Create an Online Account
Once you know which agency to use:
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Visit their official portal
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Create a profile
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Choose the type of evaluation (e.g., Educational Credential Assessment for immigration, Course-by-Course for university admission)
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Enter your academic details accurately
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Receive a reference number (this is crucial and must be used on all documents)
Step 3: Pay the Evaluation Fee
Depending on the agency and type of report, evaluation fees can range from $100 to $300 USD/CAD. Additional charges apply for courier delivery, extra copies, or rush processing.
Payment is generally accepted via:
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Credit/debit cards
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International payment gateways
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Bank transfers (in some cases)
Step 4: Gather and Submit Required Documents
Evaluation agencies generally require:
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Official academic transcripts (mark sheets of all semesters/years)
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Degree certificate or provisional certificate
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English translations, if original documents are in a regional language
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WES Academic Records Request Form or other agency-specific forms
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Passport copy or government ID (in some cases)
Some agencies also ask for sealed transcripts to be sent directly by the university, while others may request them electronically (if the university is partnered).
Step 5: Send Documents via University or Service Provider
Agencies like WES have strict document submission protocols:
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Documents must be sent directly by your university in a sealed envelope with stamps and signatures across the flap
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Self-submitted documents are often rejected
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Digital uploads are accepted only if your institution is electronically connected to the agency
This is where professional assistance becomes essential. FACTS Transcripts, a trusted academic document provider, coordinates directly with Indian universities to:
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Obtain verified transcripts
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Seal and stamp envelopes correctly
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Dispatch them via international courier
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Track delivery to agencies like WES, IQAS, or ECE
Step 6: Evaluation Process Begins
Once your documents are received and verified, the agency will:
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Assess your institution’s recognition
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Verify the authenticity of your academic records
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Compare your program to the local education system
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Determine the level, credits, GPA, and equivalency
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Issue a credential evaluation report to you and/or the recipient (university, IRCC, employer, etc.)
Processing times vary:
| Evaluation Body | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| WES | 7–25 business days |
| IQAS | 6–8 weeks |
| CES | 8–12 weeks |
| UK ENIC | 1–2 weeks |
| ECE | 3–5 weeks |
Step 7: Receive Your Evaluation Report
Your report typically includes:
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Name of your credential(s)
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Country of origin
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Duration and major
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Level and equivalency (e.g., “Bachelor’s Degree equivalent in Canada”)
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GPA or credit system interpretation
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Remarks on authenticity and recognition
This report is crucial for use in your immigration, job, or university application.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
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Mismatched names between documents and passport
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Missing reference number on document envelope
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Submitting unsealed transcripts (automatic rejection)
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Low-quality scans or illegible documents
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Delays from university due to holidays or backlog
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Documents not translated into English
How FACTS Transcripts Can Help You Navigate the Evaluation Process
Foreign education evaluation requires precision, and even a small error can lead to delays or rejections. FACTS Transcripts simplifies the process by:
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Coordinating with Indian universities across all states
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Retrieving your transcripts, degree certificates, backlog summary, MOI, and verification letters
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Ensuring proper sealing and format as per WES, IQAS, CES, ECE, or UK ENIC requirements
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Offering international courier dispatch with tracking
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Providing updates at every step
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Supporting NRIs and global applicants who cannot visit their alma mater in person
Whether your degree is from Delhi University, RGUHS, Osmania University, Mumbai University, or any other recognized Indian institution, FACTS ensures your documentation is complete, authentic, and delivered securely.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
We at FACTS Transcripts assist in various services, including:
- Mark Sheet Transcripts
- E-Transcripts
- Duplicate Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates
- Medium of Instructions Certificates
- Attestations
- HRD Attestation / Apostille Services
- ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment)
Trusted by leading global verification organizations, including WES, IQAS, PEBC, NDEB, NASBA, CAPR, NZQA, ICAS, NCESS, ICES, ECE, eduPASS, ACEI, GCEUS, Comparative Education Services, NNAS, NCA, SAQA, QMAS, FORAC, Australian Pharmacy Council, and more.
FACTS Transcripts – The preferred choice for university document verification worldwide. We ensure a hassle-free process for obtaining your transcripts.
