How to Send Transcripts to WES from Bangladesh for Express Entry

Getting transcripts to WES from Bangladesh is not complicated in theory — but in practice, it trips up thousands of applicants every year. The IRCC website tells you that you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated body. What it does not tell you is that the National University's One Stop Service Center in Gazipur requires a specific WES reference number on the sealed envelope before they will hand anything over, or that Dhaka University's transcript office operates room by room in ways that no official guide maps out.

This post walks through the process institution by institution, so you know exactly what to expect before you make the trip.

What WES Needs from Bangladesh

WES requires that transcripts and degree certificates be sent directly from the issuing university — not from you. The documents must arrive in a sealed envelope, signed or stamped by the institution across the back flap. Any envelope that appears tampered with is rejected outright.

Before you do anything else, create your WES account and complete the order. WES will assign you a reference number (in the format CA-XXXXXXXX). You need that number before you approach your university, because most Bangladeshi institutions require it to be printed on the sealed envelope they send.

The WES ECA for a standard FSWP application currently costs CAD 239 (document-by-document), plus courier fees. Plan for BDT 35,000–45,000 once all costs are included.

National University (NU) Graduates

National University oversees hundreds of affiliated colleges across Bangladesh. The transcript process runs through the One Stop Service Center in Gazipur — not your individual college campus. Your college cannot send transcripts to WES directly.

The process:

1. Apply online at the NU website and pay the transcript fee (approximately BDT 746 per document) via treasury challan.
2. Collect your transcripts from the Gazipur campus. You will need your original degree certificate and national ID.
3. Apply separately for "WES attestation" at the same office. This costs roughly BDT 1,246 for the verification fee plus BDT 823 for the WES form completion.
4. Provide your WES reference number at this stage — the sealed envelope from NU must include it.
5. NU will seal and dispatch the envelope directly to WES's Toronto office.

The full cycle typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from initial application to dispatch. If you are in a different city, you can appoint an authorized representative (usually a family member with a notarized letter) to collect documents on your behalf.

Dhaka University Graduates

Dhaka University's transcript process is manual and runs through the Registrar's Building. The relevant office is commonly referred to as Room 305 of the Transcript Office, though the room assignments change — confirm the current location with DU's Registrar's office by phone before your visit.

What to bring:

• Original degree certificate and marksheets
• Completed Academic Records Request Form (downloadable from DU's website)
• Your WES reference number in writing
• Payment via bank draft or pay order as specified on the form

DU transcripts typically list subject names and marks but may not include credit hours on older documents. WES sometimes requires a "consolidated marksheet" showing credit hours, especially for older degrees. If your transcript does not include this, request a supplementary consolidated sheet at the same time.

Processing takes 3 to 6 weeks. In practice, knowing the current clerk handling international requests can cut this significantly — the DU community on Facebook sometimes shares this kind of current information.

BUET Graduates

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology runs transcript requests through its Registrar's office. BUET has a relatively streamlined process compared to NU, but still requires physical attendance or an authorized representative.

BUET's engineering degrees — B.Sc. Engineering (4 years) — are assessed by WES as equivalent to a Canadian four-year Bachelor's degree. This is the most favorable outcome for CRS scoring.

BUET has not yet established electronic transmission (SFTP or API) with WES, so physical dispatch remains standard. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for the sealed documents to be prepared and sent.

Private Universities (NSU, BRAC, IUB, AIUB)

Top private universities like North South University, BRAC University, Independent University Bangladesh, and American International University Bangladesh have more technology-integrated registrar offices. Several have established or are in the process of establishing electronic transcript transmission channels with WES, which can cut weeks off the timeline.

Contact your university's Registrar office and ask specifically whether they have SFTP or API transmission with WES before assuming physical dispatch is necessary. If electronic transmission is available, WES can begin processing faster and the physical transcript fee may be avoided.

Common Reasons for WES Rejection

• Envelope not properly sealed: The institution must sign or stamp across the back flap. A sticker seal alone is not enough.
• Reference number missing: The WES reference number must appear on the sealed envelope from the institution.
• Documents sent by the applicant: WES will not accept transcripts you mail yourself. They must come directly from the institution.
• Incomplete marksheets: All semesters must be included. A partial transcript triggers a "document not received" status.

What Happens After WES Receives Your Documents

WES typically takes 7 business days to process once all documents are received. You can track status through your WES account. If there is a problem — missing documents, unrecognized institution — you will receive a notice. Respond quickly, as delays at this stage push back your entire Express Entry timeline.

Once your ECA is issued, it is valid for 5 years from the date of WES's assessment. Your Express Entry profile must be active while the ECA is valid.

The Bangladesh-specific steps for WES are manageable, but only if you know the right office, the right fees, and the right sequence. The Bangladesh to Canada Express Entry Guide covers the full document timeline — from WES application through ITA submission — so nothing catches you off guard mid-process.

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