Getting Your Foreign Credentials Recognised in Canada

Canada has two separate processes for foreign credential recognition: academic assessment (for general employment) and regulated profession licensing (for medicine, law, engineering, nursing, and other regulated fields). These are different processes with different organisations involved.

For general employment, WES (World Education Services) is the most widely recognised academic credential evaluation body. A basic WES evaluation costs around $220 and takes 7–20 business days. Most employers in Canada accept WES assessments. For regulated professions, you must apply to the specific licensing body in your province — for example, the Ontario Medical Association for physicians, or Professional Engineers Ontario for engineers. This process can take 6–24 months and may require bridge training programs or competency exams.