Planning to immigrate to Canada? If you completed your education outside the country, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove your diploma’s equivalency to Canadian standards.
An ECA is a mandatory requirement for Express Entry and other immigration programs, affecting your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and eligibility. Choosing the right agency and avoiding common mistakes can save you time and money, ensuring a smoother immigration process.
This guide is part of our Immigration Canada 2025: Complete Registration Guide, which covers every essential step for moving to Canada. Here, you’ll learn step by step how to get an ECA—from selecting the right organization to submitting documents and understanding processing times. Let’s get started!
- What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
- Choosing the Right ECA Agency
- Step-by-Step Process to Apply for an ECA
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an ECA
- How to Maximize Your CRS Score with Your ECA
- How to Use Your ECA in Your Express Entry or PR Application
- Frequently Asked Questions About ECA
- Conclusion: Get Your ECA Right for Canada Immigration
What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a document that evaluates how your foreign diploma, degree, or certificate compares to Canadian education standards. It’s a key requirement if you’re applying for Express Entry or other immigration programs that award points for education.
Who Needs an ECA?
- Express Entry Applicants (Federal Skilled Worker Program).
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates who need to prove their education level.
- Anyone looking to claim CRS points for foreign education in the immigration process.
Who Doesn't Need an ECA?
- If you studied in Canada, your degree is already recognized.
- If your job does not require educational proof for immigration, an ECA may not be necessary.
Why is an ECA Important?
- It confirms your education’s value in Canada.
- It affects your CRS score under Express Entry.
- Some employers may also request it when assessing your qualifications.
Choosing the Right ECA Agency
Not all ECA agencies are the same. Choosing the wrong organization can lead to delays, lower CRS points, or even an invalid assessment. To avoid this, it's essential to pick the correct designated organization based on your education and profession.
Designated ECA Agencies for Immigration
IRCC approves the following organizations to assess foreign credentials:
- World Education Services (WES) – Most popular for Express Entry due to fast processing.
- Comparative Education Service (CES) – Managed by the University of Toronto, often used by academics.
- International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS) – Recognized for general immigration purposes.
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Common choice for skilled workers.
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – Based in British Columbia, often used for PNP applicants.
Special ECA Agencies for Regulated Professions
Certain professions require specialized ECA assessments:
- Doctors → Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
- Pharmacists → Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
- Architects → Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)
How to Choose the Right One?
- If you’re applying under Express Entry, WES is often the fastest.
- If you’re in a regulated profession, use the required agency.
- If your province has specific requirements, check PNP guidelines.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for an ECA
Once you've chosen the right ECA agency, the next step is to start your application. Follow this step-by-step process to ensure a smooth evaluation.
Step 1: Create an Online Account with the ECA Agency
- Visit the official website of the agency you selected (e.g., WES, IQAS, MCC).
- Register and provide your personal details, education history, and immigration purpose.
- Pay the required ECA processing fee (varies by agency, typically $200–$300 CAD).
Step 2: Gather Your Required Documents
- Diplomas, degrees, and certificates (must be from a recognized institution).
- Transcripts (official academic records sent directly by your school).
- Certified translations if your documents are not in English or French.
- Some agencies may require your passport or national ID for verification.
Step 3: Submit Your Documents Correctly
- Some agencies allow you to upload digital copies, while others require sealed envelopes directly from your school.
- Double-check the document list for your country to avoid delays.
- If needed, contact your university before applying to arrange transcript submission.
Step 4: Wait for Processing & Track Your Application
- Processing times vary:
- WES: ~35 business days
- IQAS, ICAS, CES: Can take 8–20 weeks
- MCC, PEBC (for regulated professions): Often longer
- Most agencies provide an online tracking system so you can monitor your application status.
Step 5: Receive Your ECA Report
- Once completed, you’ll receive a digital and/or paper report confirming your degree’s Canadian equivalency.
- Your ECA reference number is needed for Express Entry or other immigration applications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an ECA
Applying for an ECA may seem straightforward, but small mistakes can lead to delays, lower CRS points, or even an invalid evaluation. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong ECA Agency
Many applicants pick WES by default, but some professions require specialized assessments (e.g., doctors need MCC, pharmacists need PEBC).
Solution:
- Verify the right agency based on your profession and immigration pathway before applying.
Mistake #2: Sending Only Your Highest Degree
IRCC instructions say to submit your "highest degree," but submitting only a master's degree might result in a lower evaluation. In Canada, some master's degrees are assessed as equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
Solution
- Submit both your bachelor's and master's degrees to get the full educational equivalency and maximize CRS points.
Mistake #3: Missing or Incorrect Documents
Sending incomplete or incorrect documents delays processing or leads to rejection.
Solution:
- Check your agency’s document list carefully.
- Ensure your transcripts are sent directly from your university if required.
- If your documents are not in English or French, use a certified translator.
Mistake #4: Not Checking Your Degree Equivalency Before Paying
Some applicants complete the ECA process only to find that their degree is evaluated as lower than expected, costing them valuable CRS points.
Solution:
- Use WES’s free equivalency tool to estimate your result before applying.
- If your degree is likely to be downgraded, consider other agencies like IQAS or CES, which may provide better evaluations.
Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Start the ECA Process
ECA reports take weeks or months to process, and Express Entry applications have deadlines.
Solution:
- Start the ECA process as early as possible, ideally before submitting your Express Entry profile.
Mistake #6: Assuming an ECA Guarantees Employment in Canada
Some applicants think an ECA certifies their degree for work purposes, but in regulated professions (e.g., medicine, engineering), additional licensing is required.
Solution:
- If your goal is to work in a regulated profession, research the licensing process separately.
How to Maximize Your CRS Score with Your ECA
Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) doesn’t just verify your degree—it also affects your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in Express Entry. Making the right choices can increase your points and improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Claim the Maximum Education Points
The number of CRS points you receive depends on your Canadian equivalency:
Strategy:
- If you have multiple degrees, make sure to submit all of them to get the "Two or More Degrees" bonus. This can increase your score by up to 8 points.
Choose the Right ECA Agency for the Best Evaluation
Some agencies may evaluate your master’s degree as equivalent to a bachelor's degree, lowering your CRS score.
Solution:
- Before submitting your application, use WES’s free equivalency tool or compare results from IQAS, CES, and ICAS, as some agencies may provide a higher equivalency rating for the same degree.
Ensure Your ECA is Valid at the Time of PR Application
ECA reports are valid for five years. If your ECA expires before you submit your PR application, you must get a new assessment.
Solution:
- Start your ECA process early but check your expiry date before submitting your Express Entry profile.
Use the ECA to Qualify for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) require an ECA to prove education level, even if Express Entry does not.
Example:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) requires an ECA for certain streams.
- Alberta PNP gives priority to applicants with recognized post-secondary education.
How to Use Your ECA in Your Express Entry or PR Application
Once you receive your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), you must correctly include it in your immigration application to ensure you receive the maximum CRS points. Here’s how to do it step by step.
1. Add Your ECA to Your Express Entry Profile
- Log in to your IRCC Express Entry account.
- Go to the Education Section and enter your details:
- Institution name (where you obtained your degree).
- Canadian equivalency (from the ECA report).
- ECA report number (issued by the agency).
- Double-check your ECA expiry date—it must be valid at the time of application.
Tip: If you have multiple degrees assessed, enter each one separately to maximize CRS points.
2. Submit Your ECA Report with Your PR Application
Once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you’ll need to upload a copy of your ECA report along with other documents:
- Scanned copy of your ECA report.
- Official degree certificates and transcripts (if required by IRCC).
Tip: If your transcripts were sent directly from your school to the ECA agency, you don’t need to send them again to IRCC.
3. Linking Your ECA to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
If applying through a PNP program, you may need to:
- Submit your ECA report separately to the province.
- Prove your education meets provincial requirements (some PNPs require a minimum equivalency level).
- Ensure your ECA matches the NOC code you’re applying under.
Example: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) requires an ECA if your degree was obtained outside Canada.
4. What If Your ECA Report Shows a Lower Equivalency?
- If your master’s degree is only recognized as a bachelor's, you might lose CRS points.
- You can request a reassessment with another agency (IQAS, CES, etc.), but this takes time.
Solution: If your CRS score drops significantly, consider alternative pathways like PNP programs to boost your points.
Frequently Asked Questions About ECA
To help you navigate the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) process, here are answers to the most common questions applicants have.
Conclusion: Get Your ECA Right for Canada Immigration
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a key step in proving that your foreign education meets Canadian standards. Whether you’re applying for Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), choosing the right agency and submitting all your degrees can help maximize your CRS points and improve your chances of success. Since processing times can take weeks or months, it’s best to start early and avoid common mistakes.
This guide is part of our Immigration Canada 2025: Complete Registration Guide, where we break down every step of the immigration process. If you're planning to move to Canada, check out the full guide to ensure you have everything in place—from language tests to visa applications.
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