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WES Announces New Apostille Policy for Original Documents

WES Advisor | May 27, 2021

For over a decade, World Education Services (WES) maintained an “apostille” requirement for several countries. Applicants who studied in those countries needed to mail their original documents, with apostille authentication, to WES. Once their report was complete, their original documents would be returned.

As of May 2021, WES is no longer requiring original documents with apostille/legalization from the following countries:

  • Albania
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Russia
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan

What Does This Change Mean for Applicants?

Going forward, applicants who studied in the countries listed above will be able to follow standard guidelines for sending academic documents to WES. 

That might involve:

Please follow the steps outlined by your current Required Documents list, located in My Account.

How to Send Academic Documents Electronically

If your institution does not have an electronic transmission partnership with WES, you can encourage them to initiate one. This is the fastest way for your institution to send your documents and can expedite the overall evaluation process. 

An official from your institution can use the Contact Us form and express their interest in initiating a secure electronic transmission partnership with WES. Someone will be in touch with the official quickly to explore options.

What To Do If You’ve Already Sent Original Documents

Some applicants who studied in one or more of these “apostille” countries might have already sent their original documents to WES. If that is the case, no further action is needed at this time. WES will return your original documents once your report is complete. 

If you have additional documents to send, please log in to My Account and follow the latest instructions alongside your Required Documents.

Other Questions About This Policy Change?

WES is excited to share this policy change, which should make it even easier to obtain a credential evaluation and help thousands of applicants expedite their journeys.

If you have additional questions about how this change might affect you, please Contact Us.

Related Reading

How to Upload Your Documents to WES

How to Send Academic Documents Electronically

WES Advisor
WES Advisor is an initiative of World Education Services, a non-profit organization with over 45 years of experience in international education. We provide advice and resources for international students and skilled immigrants to help them make informed decisions about education, employment, immigration, and integration opportunities in the U.S. and Canada.

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