Pursuing Education, Work, and Life in Canada: How an Academic Credential Assessment Report Can Help International Students

Canada is one of the top education destinations for international students.

As of December 2022, Canada was home to over 800,000 students who had come from around the world to study there. The number of international students in the country has tripled in the past 10 years and now represents nearly 20 percent of Canada's post-secondary student population.

International students play an essential role in Canada’s economy, contributing approximately C$22 billion annually to the country’s GDP, while supporting over 170,000 jobs.

Canada’s openness to global talent is a major reason for its broad appeal among international students. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, about 60 percent of international students are interested in pursuing permanent residence (PR) in Canada after completing their post-secondary education.

For students hoping to immigrate to continue their studies or settle in Canada permanently, receiving an academic credential assessment report can make all the difference. An academic credential assessment report can help save time and money, and it increases a student’s chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR.

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How can an academic credential assessment report save me time and money on my education?

An academic credential assessment report compares an individual’s international education to educational standards in Canada. An academic credential assessment report can help bridge the gap for newcomers and support them in continuing their life in Canada with the educational credentials they have already earned.

For individuals planning to continue their post-secondary education in Canada, obtaining an academic credential assessment report can save time and money. Without an academic credential assessment report, you might find yourself in a position of repeating previously completed coursework or education—not to mention paying tuition and fees. Instead, if your existing education is determined to be largely equivalent to the same education offered in Canada, an academic credential assessment report will provide the Canadian credential or degree that is equivalent to your international credential.

By receiving an academic credential assessment report, you can continue your education instead of repeating i

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How can an academic credential assessment report support my goal of obtaining PR in Canada?

An academic credential assessment report can also be important for international students looking to transition to PR. Under the Canadian immigration system, most international students will likely obtain PR status via economic class pathways such as Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program.

Under Express Entry, candidates are assessed according to their age, education, language skills, and work experience. They then receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which IRCC uses to rank and invite candidates to apply for permanent residence.

An academic credential assessment report will also add points to your CRS score. For example, if an individual has completed a three-year degree overseas and a two-year program in Canada but does not have an academic credential assessment report, they will only earn points for their Canadian education. With an academic credential assessment report, the individual can receive additional points for their international education. This could make all the difference in successfully receiving an invitation to apply for PR via Express Entry.

What are the benefits of pursuing an academic credential assessment report with World Education Services?

An academic credential assessment report from WES offers multiple benefits to international students looking to pursue studies or PR in Canada, including:

• Ensuring compliance with IRCC economic class program requirements
• Fulfilling the requirements of the Provincial Nominee Program
• Providing safe storage of your report and verified educational documents for future reference
• Highlighting to employers and regulatory bodies in Canada that your international education conforms with Canadian educational standards

Note: WES does not evaluate occupational or trade qualifications. For more information about IRCC immigration programs, we highly recommend visiting the IRCC website.

Why should I obtain my academic credential assessment report from WES?

WES is one of five academic credential assessment report providers designated by IRCC. With a service time of 35 business days (once all and fees are accepted) WES is committed to delivering your academic credential assessment report quickly and accurately.

Furthermore, WES serves French-speaking applicants by providing a French language online application and detailed information about required documents. For individuals who prefer assistance over the phone, our bilingual customer support representatives are available to help.

Note: WES is not a licensed immigration consultant, hence our blogs and resources cannot offer specific immigration advice.

Explore Getting an Academic Credential Assessment from WES