We know that for many newcomers arriving in Canada like you, one of the biggest challenges that you face isn’t starting over – it’s proving who you are and what you’ve already achieved. Years of education, professional training, and experience can suddenly seem invisible when official documents are lost, destroyed, or inaccessible due to conflict, political instability, or displacement.
That’s where the new WES Gateway Program steps in.
A lifeline for displaced learners and professionals
The World Education Services (WES) Gateway Program provides credential evaluation reports for individuals who have been forcibly displaced and can’t obtain official academic documents from their country of education. By utilizing available unofficial documents, such as photocopies of diplomas or transcripts, the program enables newcomers to demonstrate the value of their education in Canada.
Eligible participants include those educated in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, Ukraine, or Venezuela who have completed secondary or post-secondary studies but are unable to access their official records.
Through a simple three-step process – connecting with a referral partner, submitting documents via WES, and then using the evaluation report to pursue employment, education, or licensing – participants gain a critical bridge to rebuilding their careers.
To date, over 12,000 individuals have received Gateway evaluations in the U.S. and Canada, and 93% say the program supported their professional and educational goals.
“In three easy steps, you can get an evaluation report that validates your education and experience.”
– WES GATEWAY program
The broader challenge: credential recognition in Canada
For many internationally trained newcomers, the path to working in their field is full of barriers. Even with complete documentation, the foreign credential recognition process can be lengthy, expensive, and confusing.
When official transcripts are missing, or institutions back home are destroyed or nonfunctional, the situation becomes even more complex. Refugees and displaced persons may be unable to provide proof of their qualifications, locking them out of jobs that match their skills and training.
This creates what experts call “brain waste”—a loss of human potential that affects both the individual and the Canadian economy. According to studies, thousands of internationally trained professionals end up underemployed or working in unrelated fields because their credentials can’t be verified.
Why the Gateway Program matters
The WES Gateway Program offers a practical and compassionate solution. It recognizes that displacement shouldn’t erase a person’s achievements. By verifying and assessing available educational evidence, WES gives newcomers the documentation they need to:
- Continue their education in Canada
- Apply for professional licensing or bridging programs
- Pursue meaningful employment in their field
It also helps institutions and employers better understand and trust international qualifications, which strengthens inclusion and diversity in the Canadian workforce.
Building a path forward
The Gateway Program isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope. It helps newcomers move beyond survival mode toward rebuilding the lives and careers they once had.
For many, that first step—having their education recognized—becomes the foundation for everything that follows: stability, contribution, and a sense of belonging in their new home.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, visit wes.org/ca/gateway or connect with a referral organization in your community to learn how to get started.
