WES vs IQAS for Indian Degrees — Which ECA Evaluator Gives You More CRS Points
The Decision That Can Cost You 45 CRS Points
Choosing between WES and IQAS is not a convenience decision. It is a strategic one that can swing your CRS by 8 to 45 points depending on your degree type, university, and NAAC accreditation grade. And since the CAD $200-220 fee is non-refundable and processing takes weeks to months, you get one shot at making the right choice.
WES: Fast but Strict
Processing: 7-35 business days. Cost: CAD $220. WES has digital integration with IRCC — your result auto-populates in Express Entry. But WES applies strict interpretation rules to Indian credentials. A 3-year B.Com from a university with NAAC B accreditation will likely be evaluated as a "Three-Year Bachelor's Degree" at 120 CRS points instead of 128.
Use WES for: 4-year B.Tech/B.E. from NAAC A+ institutions, M.Tech, IIM/IIT MBA, ICAI Chartered Accountancy.
IQAS: Slow but Generous
Processing: 15-20 weeks. Cost: CAD $200. IQAS is run by the Alberta government and has historically been more lenient with 3-year Indian degrees and PGDM qualifications. The tradeoff is the processing time — 15-20 weeks compared to WES's 7-35 days.
Use IQAS for: 3-year B.Com/B.A./B.Sc from non-NAAC-A institutions, BCA, PGDM from AICTE-approved standalone institutes (especially those without AIU equivalence), IGNOU distance degrees.
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The MBA vs PGDM Distinction
An MBA from a UGC-recognized university generally evaluates as a Master's degree with both evaluators. A PGDM from a standalone AICTE-approved institution is technically a "diploma" under Indian education law. WES often evaluates it as a Post-Graduate Diploma at 90 CRS points — versus 135 for a Master's. IQAS is more likely to consider the content and duration rather than legal classification.
Decision Matrix
| Degree | Best Evaluator | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 4-yr B.Tech (NAAC A+) | WES | Fast, reliable evaluation |
| 3-yr B.Com (NAAC B) | IQAS | More generous with 3-yr degrees |
| PGDM (no AIU equiv.) | IQAS | Evaluates content, not legal class |
| CA (ICAI) | WES | Recognized as Master's equivalent |
| Two credentials (B.Tech + MBA) | IQAS/CES | "Two or more" bracket: 150 CRS |
The India → Canada Express Entry Guide includes the complete 11-row University-Evaluator Decision Matrix as a printable reference card.
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Download the India → Canada Express Entry Guide — Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.