About the WES Gateway Program

The WES Gateway Program assesses the educational credentials of individuals who have been displaced as a result of adverse circumstances in their country and have limited proof of their academic achievements.

A WES Gateway Program credential evaluation report can help eligible individuals continue their education, become licensed in their field, or take the next step on their career pathway in the United States. The report can be accepted by higher education institutions, regulatory bodies, and employers.

WES works with designated partners to identify individuals who are eligible for the Gateway Program. The program is available to individuals educated in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Syria, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Venezuela who meet program requirements.

For more information, refer to our FAQ page. To learn more about the program’s impact, read stories from individuals who have used a WES Gateway Program credential evaluation report to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Referrals and Applications

To apply for the WES Gateway Program, eligible individuals need to be referred by a designated referral partner.

The WES Gateway Program is currently available to individuals who:

Possess at least one piece of credible evidence issued by their academic institution
Were educated in one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Syria, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Venezuela
Are referred to WES by a designated U.S. partner organization

Note: Whenever possible, WES recommends that applicants use its standard evaluation process. If you are able to submit standard country-specific required documents, please start your application here.

Referral Partners

WES works with partner organizations across the U.S. to refer individuals to the WES Gateway Program. These referral organizations confirm the eligibility of prospective applicants, submit documents for evaluation, and provide additional information. Please note, referral partner organizations may have additional criteria when determining which individuals are eligible for their services, including Gateway referrals.

To connect with a referral partner, or for help finding an organization in your region, please  contact us.

Referral partners for the WES Gateway Program include:

Arkansas

CanopyNWA (Fayetteville)

California

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Access California Services (Anaheim)
Jewish Family Service of San Diego (San Diego)
Orange County Workforce and Economic Development Division (Santa Ana)
Pars Equality Center (Los Angeles)
Voice Of Refugees (Anaheim)

Colorado

Emily Griffith Technical College (Denver)

Connecticut

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Georgia

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Atlanta)
IRC Atlanta (Atlanta)

Idaho

Global Talent (Boise)
IRC Boise (Boise)

Illinois

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Indiana

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Kentucky

Jewish Family & Career Services (Louisville)

Maine

New Mainers Resource Center (Portland)

Maryland

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Equus Workforce Solutions (Montgomery County)

Massachusetts

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Michigan

The Office of Global Michigan (Statewide)

Minnesota

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Afghan Cultural Society (Minneapolis)
CAPI USA (Minneapolis)
Hired (Minneapolis)
International Institute of Minnesota (St. Paul)
Metropolitan State University (St. Paul)

Missouri

International Institute of St. Louis (St. Louis)
Parkway-Rockwood Community Education (St. Louis)

Nebraska

Asian Cultural and Community Center (Lincoln)

New Jersey

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

New Mexico

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (Albuquerque and Las Cruces)

New York

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs-SIPA (NYC)
International Institute of Buffalo (Buffalo)

North Carolina

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Church World Service (Durham and Greensboro)

Ohio

Aspire (Statewide)
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio (Cincinnati)

Oklahoma

YWCA – Tulsa (Tulsa)

Pennsylvania

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
International Service Center (Harrisburg)
Nationalities Service Center (Philadelphia)

Tennessee

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Texas

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
IRC Abilene (Abilene)
Restore Education (San Antonio)

Vermont

Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (Brattleboro)

Virginia

Upwardly Global (Statewide)

Washington

Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Puget Sound Welcome Back Center (Des Moines)

Washington, D.C.

Upwardly Global (D.C.)

Wisconsin

Upwardly Global (Statewide)