Diploma evaluation for Canada: how WES and ENIC work and which mistakes cost the most

Evaluation is an official assessment of your education according to Canadian standards. Without a report from a recognized organization, you won’t be able to use your diploma in Express Entry, some provincial programs, or when confirming your qualifications. For Ukrainian documents, the process works through two structures: Canadian WES and Ukrainian ENIC.

Why you need evaluation

Canadian universities, employers, and immigration authorities don’t accept foreign diplomas ‘as is’—they need an official report. Without evaluation, you’ll face limitations: you won’t be able to list your education in an Express Entry profile, confirm qualifications for licensed professions, or advance in your career path in Canada.

Evaluation isn’t just a piece of paper. For most people, it’s one of the first mandatory steps before immigration.

Where to get evaluation: WES and ENIC

For immigration purposes in Canada, several organizations are used, but most commonly—WES (World Education Services). Its reports are widely accepted for immigration programs, and for Ukrainian documents, you usually don’t need to send originals by mail to Canada—scans will suffice.

This is where beginners make a major mistake: they think it’s just a matter of uploading documents to the WES website and waiting for results. In reality, for Ukrainians, the process consists of two stages. You create an account at WES and receive a registration number, but the verification of document authenticity is conducted by Ukrainian ENIC (a structure under the Ministry of Education). ENIC verifies the documents, compiles a package, and passes it to WES. If you don’t understand the connection between these two processes from the start, you could send documents to the wrong place or stretch the process over months.

How to prepare documents

Usually, colored scans of diplomas, transcripts, and school certificates (if applicable) are required. All files must be high quality.

If you have multiple levels of education—for example, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree—each one must be listed separately. You’ll also need notarized English translations and a scan of your passport.

The most common problem is data inconsistency. If your diploma has one last name, your passport has another, and your application has a third, this could lead to delays or document rejection. If you changed your last name after marriage, be sure to add a confirming document—for example, a marriage certificate. List your details as they are currently written in your valid passport, and double-check everything before submitting. Correcting errors after submission takes longer and costs more.

Pay attention to the delivery address for results. If you specify a Ukrainian address, delivery may take longer. If possible, use the address of relatives or friends in another country—the main thing is that you’ll receive the documents afterward.

Step-by-step submission process

After creating an account on the WES website, the system will ask you to select the evaluation purpose—here it’s important to choose the right option. You’ll be assigned a WES Reference Number—save it, as you’ll need it for all subsequent steps.

For immigration programs, select the ECA report type (Educational Credential Assessment for IRCC). If you accidentally select another type, it may not be suitable for immigration, and you’ll have to resubmit your application.

After paying the fee, the WES application form will become available. You need to download, print, and fill in the top part (Section A). If you have multiple education documents, the form is filled out separately for each one. Be sure to include your Reference Number, date, and signature.

At the same time, register on the ENIC website and enter information from your documents. Important rule: all documents from one person are submitted in one application. If you have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, they must be submitted together, not in separate applications. ENIC accepts documents in a specific format—prepare your files in advance, don’t leave format conversion to the last minute.

Once ENIC receives your data, it will send you forms with a list of services and costs. You need to fill them out, sign them, pay, and send them back. At this point, your active part essentially ends—then you wait.

Processing timelines

ENIC processes documents for several weeks, then passes the package to WES. WES also takes time to process. For the entire process, allow a minimum of several months, not just one or two weeks.

If someone promises to complete the evaluation very quickly—be cautious. This procedure has official stages that cannot be skipped.

When WES completes the assessment, you’ll receive an electronic report. For Express Entry, you usually don’t need to wait for a paper original—as soon as the report and ECA number appear in your personal account, this information can already be used in your immigration profile. The paper original may be needed later for specific provincial programs or employers, but to start the immigration process, the electronic number is what matters.

The report is valid for 5 years.

What to do if you don’t have documents

If you left the country during the war and your diploma remained at home, or access to the university is restricted, WES has a special WES Gateway program. It’s designed for people who cannot obtain official documents directly from their educational institution. Ukraine is on the list of countries where this program is available.

However, the program has its own conditions and nuances. Before submitting, carefully check the requirements or consult to see if this path is right for you.

If serious questions arise during verification about the authenticity of your diploma, or if the educational institution fails to confirm your information, this could lead not only to an evaluation refusal but also to problems in future immigration processes. If you have any doubts about your documents, resolve them before submission, not after.