Can You Apply for WES Evaluation Without a Provisional Degree Certificate?

If you’re an Indian student or professional planning to study, work, or immigrate to Canada, you’ll likely need to have your academic credentials evaluated to ensure they meet Canadian standards. The World Education Services (WES) Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a widely recognized process for this purpose, particularly for Canadian immigration programs like Express Entry.

This detailed guide explains whether you can apply for WES without a provisional degree certificate, outlines the rules for Indian applicants, and offers practical steps to complete the evaluation process.

Understanding the WES Evaluation and Its Importance

The WES evaluation translates your Indian academic credentials (degrees, diplomas, and mark sheets) into their Canadian equivalents. It is crucial for:

• Immigration: Required for Express Entry to calculate CRS score.
• Higher Education: Used by Canadian universities for admissions.
• Employment: Employers may require WES reports.
• Professional Licensing: Necessary in regulated fields like engineering and healthcare.

Can You Apply Without a Provisional Degree Certificate?

Yes, you can apply without a provisional degree certificate in many cases, depending on the documents available and your university’s policies. WES typically requires either a final or provisional degree certificate, but there are alternatives.

Scenarios Where You Might Not Have a Provisional Degree

• Degree not yet issued
• Lost or damaged certificate
• Delays from university
• Coursework completed but degree not awarded

WES Requirements for Indian Applicants

• Degree Certificate (Final/Provisional): Upload a scanned copy to your WES account.
• Transcripts: Must be official and sent directly by the university.
• Additional Documents: Needed for master’s or diploma holders depending on discipline.

Workarounds If You Don’t Have a Provisional Degree

• Letter of Degree Completion: Issued by your university, confirming all academic requirements are met.
• Transcript-Based Evaluation: Possible in some cases — check with WES.
• Research-Based Degrees: Special provisions apply for M.Phil./Ph.D. programs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Without a Provisional Degree

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your university is WES-recognized (UGC/NAAC approved).
2. Create a WES Account: Select “Canada” and get your WES reference number.
3. Gather Documents:
   • Official university transcripts
   • Letter of degree completion (if degree not issued)
   • Identity proof (passport or Aadhaar)
   • Translations if documents are not in English
4. Submit Documents:
   • Transcripts must be mailed directly to WES.
   • Completion letter sent directly from the university (if no provisional degree).
5. Pay Fees:
   • CAD 100 for Document-by-Document
   • CAD 220 for Course-by-Course
6. Track Application: Use your WES dashboard.
7. Receive ECA: Valid for five years, usable for IRCC, employment, and university admissions.

Challenges and Solutions

• Delayed Degree: Use a degree completion letter from your university.
• Lost Certificate: Apply for a duplicate using an affidavit/FIR.
• Translation Issues: Get certified translations and upload them.
• University Delays: Follow up or authorize a local representative.
• Verification Delays: Notify your university in advance about WES contact.

Still confused or struggling to coordinate with your university? Let FACTS Transcripts handle the process professionally and quickly. We liaise directly with your institution, collect and courier all necessary documents, and ensure your WES application goes smoothly — even if you don’t have a provisional degree certificate.

Visit www.factstranscripts.com to get started with expert support for transcripts, MOI, verification, and more.

FAQs

• Can WES accept only transcripts? Yes, in some cases. Confirm with WES support.
• What if I lost my degree? Apply for a duplicate through your university.
• How long does WES take? 7–35 business days after receiving documents.
• Is a completion letter enough? Often yes, if sent directly by the university and meets WES format.