Educational Credential Assessment is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian one. Educational Credential Assessment is not needed for education obtained in Canada.

There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes. Others won’t be accepted.

You must get it before applying for immigration since you will need to include your ECA report and reference number in your Express Entry profile to claim your points. This is how you earn immigration points for education.

You can also earn points for your spouse or common-law partner’s education, if they are coming with you to Canada.

Your ECA report is valid for 5 years.

Despite that in most cases you only need an assessment for your highest level of education, we recommend to assess every post-secondary education you have. If you don't have any post-secondary education and apply via any provincial immigration program where post-secondary education is not needed, but ECA is required, then you need your school certificate to be assessed.

You must get your assessment from an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Designated organization will provide you with a report that tells you to what level your education is equal to in Canada. Processing times and costs may vary by organization or professional body. Once you choose a designated organization or a professional body, research their instructions on how to submit your documents to get your assessment.

Designated organizations

The following organizations are designated by IRCC with the aim to provide educational credential assessment for immigration purposes (you can choose the one you wish):

• World Education Services (the most popular)
• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Qualifications Assessment Service  
• International Credential Evaluation Service – British Columbia Institute of Technology

Exceptions

If your primary occupation is as an architect, doctor or a pharmacist, you must use a designated professional body based on your occupation:

• Architects (NOC 21200) - Canadian Architectural Certification Board
• Specialists and family physicians (NOC 31100, NOC 31101 or NOC 31102) - Medical Council of Canada
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120) - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada

Disclaimer: Provided information is not a legal advice. Every case is unique. We recommend you to discuss your case with a specialist first.

 

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