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:
Arizona
Lutheran Services of the Southwest (Phoenix and Tucson)
Arkansas
CanopyNWA (Fayetteville)
California
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Access California Services (Anaheim)
IRC Oakland (Oakland)
IRC San Diego (San Diego)
Jewish Family Service of San Diego (San Diego)
Orange County Workforce and Economic Development Division (Santa Ana)
Pars Equality Center (Los Angeles)
Tiyya Foundation (Santa Ana)
Voice Of Refugees (Anaheim)
Colorado
Emily Griffith Technical College (Denver)
Connecticut
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Southern Connecticut State University (New Haven)
Georgia
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Atlanta)
IRC Atlanta (Atlanta)
Idaho
Global Talent (Boise)
IRC Boise (Boise)
Illinois
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
RefugeeOne (Chicago)
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)
Luminus Network for New Americans (Columbia)
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
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio (Cincinnati)
Rise Together (Cleveland)
Oklahoma
YWCA – Tulsa (Tulsa)
Oregon
Portland Refugee Support Group (Portland)
Empowering Professional Immigrant Careers (EPIC) at Chemeketa Community College (Salem)
Pennsylvania
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
International Service Center (Harrisburg)
Nationalities Service Center (Philadelphia)
Tennessee
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) (Nashville)
Texas
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
IRC Abilene (Abilene)
Restore Education (San Antonio)
Vermont
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (Brattleboro)
Virginia
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Virginia Career Works – Northern Region (Vienna)
Washington
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
Puget Sound Welcome Back Center (Des Moines)
Washington, D.C.
Upwardly Global (D.C.)
Wisconsin
Upwardly Global (Statewide)
