Educational Credential Assessment - Guide
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is an assessment of the general comparability of an international educational programme consisting of your degree, diploma, or certificate to a completed Canadian educational credential, in the format that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires.
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) has been designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reports for Canadian immigration purposes (Express Entry, Permanent Residency and Agri-Food Pilot). Many of the Provincial Immigrant Nominee Programs also accept the ECA. Please refer to the individual province for further details.
There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes. If you got another type of ECA, you may be able to get it reissued, depending on the type of ECA and/or issuing organization.
You must include your ECA report and the reference number in your Express Entry profile.
Your ECA report may help when you’re looking for a job. But, it doesn’t guarantee that:
- you’ll get a job in your field, or at a certain level
- you’ll get a license to practice in a regulated profession (job)
If you plan to work in a regulated job, you must get your license in the province or territory that you plan to settle in.
Many of the Provincial Immigrant Nominee Programs also accept the ECA. Please refer to the individual province for further details.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLYING
- Colour copy of current, government issued photo identification document that indicates current legal name.
Submit one of the following:
- valid passport,
- national identification card or
- driver’s license.
This document can be submitted directly by the applicant in the application portal.
Colour copy of the front and back of each final award such as a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Colour copy of the front and back of each final award such as a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Colour copy of the front and back of each academic record such as a transcript, marks cards, or diploma supplement. To begin the application, a PDF copy will act as a placeholder until the official document can be delivered directly from your educational institution or educational authority.
- [Required for foreign language documents only] Copies of the literal (not interpretive) certified translations of each of the above documents into English. If ICES receives any document that requires translation, ICES will contact you directly to request a translation.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Once an organization or a professional body is designated by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), they will tell you how to submit your documents to get your assessment.
Choosing a designated organization based on your occupation
If you plan to work for a large employer or in a regulated occupation, you may need to have your assessment done by a specific designated organization. Check with your employer or the regulatory body for your occupation for more information.
Designated organizations
You must use one of these designated organizations:
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies designated: April 17, 2013
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada designated: April 17, 2013
- World Education Services
- designated: April 17, 2013
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)designated: August 6, 2015
- International Credential Evaluation Service designated: August 6, 2015
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ECA
- Tip 1: Select the ECA Application for IRCC rather than the standard option which is more expensive.
- Tip 2: Use standard courier service to save nearly $80 since you only need the PDF to apply to Canada which is given to you once the report is complete.
- Tip 3: Don’t bother sending the report to additional recipients since you only need the PDF.
- Tip 4: Evaluate all your higher education at the same time. Most ECA issuing institutions charge per application and not degree. Getting multiple degrees done in the same application saves time and money.
- Tip 5: Your spouse may not require the ECA report. You can calculate your CRS score with and without the points for your spouse’s degree. If your points are high enough, you can omit this application.
