An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is an important report needed for most immigration programs in Canada, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and Provincial Nomination Programs. You may also need an ECA to study or to work in Canada. In addition, you’ll have to obtain the proper licensing or certification to work in Canada if your occupation is regulated in the province you intend to live.
You worked hard for your credentials and that’s why it’s important to get them recognized. It can even boost your CRS score by 25 points in the Express Entry pool. An ECA lets immigration officials and future employers know that your education is valid and up to Canadian standards. Learn more about the ECA process below!
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An ECA is a report used by immigration officials, employers and schools to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equal to a Canadian one. If you’re immigrating to Canada then it’s important to apply for an ECA report for immigration purposesfrom an approved ECA organisation.
Your ECA report may help when you’re looking for a job but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a license to practice in a regulated job. Also, the original ECA report must not be mailed to the IRCC offices. Instead, you need to give the report reference number and submit copies when asked.
You can only get your credentials validated from the approved IRCC organizations listed in the table below. We recommend that our clients get their ECAs from World Education Services (WES) since they have the quickest processing times of 35 business days.
Approved ECA Organisations for Canadian Immigration Purposes |
---|
1. Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies |
2. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada |
3. World Education Services (WES) |
4. International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) |
5. International Credential Evaluation Service |
6. Medical Council of Canada (Doctors) |
7. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (Pharmacists) |
Note: If you intend to apply as a Physician/Specialist Physician (NOC 3111/3112) or Pharmacist (NOC 3131) then you must get an ECA report from professional federal regulatory bodies in Canada listed in the table above. You may also need to get your credentials assessed by provincial regulatory bodies if your job is regulated in Canada, such as trade and occupational professions.
The good news is that you don’t have to get your entire educational history assessed. In most cases, you only need an assessment of your highest level of education. So, if you have a Bachelor’s degree, you only need an assessment for that degree. You don’t need one for your secondary education. And if you have a Master’s Degree, you only need an assessment for that degree, and not one for your Bachelor’s degree.
If you want to get additional points for immigration for having two or more credentials then you can get them all assessed. However, at least one of your credentials must be for three or more years of study to earn full points for more than one credential.
An Educational Credential Assessment costs between $200-$220 without courier fees to deliver the original document to you. And it typically takes a few weeks to evaluate your credentials but the report is valid for five years from the time it’s issued.
Costs Without Delivery Fees | |
---|---|
Approved ECA Organisations | Application Fee |
1. Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies | $210 |
2. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada | $200 |
3. World Education Services (WES) | $220 |
4. International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) | $200 |
5. International Credential Evaluation Service | $200 |
Since an ECA report is valid for five years you don’t need to worry about it expiring before you’ve submitted your immigration application. However, it’s an important requirement for a variety of Canadian immigration programs and sometimes needed early in the immigration process. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker Program requires you to give your ECA report before you can create your Express Entry profile.
An ECA report may not be a requirement for other Canadian immigration programs such as the Federal Trades Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class but it could be beneficial to increase your points and your chances of success.
If your documents such as your certificate, diploma or degree were issued in any other language apart from English or French then you will need to get them translated before sending them to one of the approved organizations for a credential assessment. It must be word-for-word translations from either your academic institution or a professional translation agency. In most cases, the IRCC requires an affidavit from the translator.
If you want to study in Canada then you’ll also need to get your credentials assessed. Most schools in Canada do the assessments themselves by evaluating your transcripts. However, in some cases you might need to use the services of an assessment agency. Since different schools prefer different agencies it’s best to contact the designated learning institution you want to attend in Canada to find out what kind of assessment they need and accept.
If you’re searching for a job, or planning to work in Canada then you might need to get more than just your credentials assessed. Your future employer may also be interested in your qualifications that take into consideration your combined work experience, knowledge, and skills on top of your credentials. For some occupations you may also need to show proof of specific competencies such as your level of knowledge and skill sets.
Besides for an ECA report, what else do you need to immigrate to Canada? If you leave your immigration application to the professionals at mwagents.ca, you will get access to your own Visa Profile Dashboard by simply logging in to “My Account” and receive a full document checklist complete with video tutorials on where to find them. Optimise your chances of success!
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:
Provincial Nomination (600 Points)
600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Job Offers (50-600 Points)
A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.
Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)
These take into account your level of education, for example:
If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.
Language (150 Points)
Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.
Work Experience
The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.
You must:
You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:
You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:
If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.
There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:
The following factors affect your eligibility:
Work Experience
You must:
Language Ability
You must:
Education
You must:
Proof of Funds
You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:
Additional Factors to Be Considered
This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
Skilled Work Experience
These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.
Group Number | Job Description |
---|---|
72 | Industrial, construction or electrical trades |
73 | Equipment operation and maintenance |
82 | Technical and supervisors in:
|
92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor Central control operators |
632 | Cooks and chefs |
633 | Bakers and butchers |
Education
You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:
Language Ability
Be assessed by the province or territory
Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.
Job Description | Skill Type |
---|---|
Technical jobs | B |
Skilled trades | B |
Professional jobs | A |
Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.
Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed | Job Level (NOC) |
---|---|
7 | 0 |
7 | A |
5 | B |
The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.
Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.
Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.
Job description | Skill Type |
---|---|
Technical jobs | B |
Skilled trades | B |
Professional jobs | A |
Managerial jobs | 0 |
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:
Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.
To qualify you must score well in:
Canadian Language Benchmark score needed | Job level (NOC) |
---|---|
7 | 0 |
7 | A |
5 | B |
The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:
Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.
When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.
Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.
You may be inadmissible if you are:
Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.
These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points
A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:
Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.
If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.
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If you are married provide following documents for your spouse and dependent child whether they are
accompanying or not:
Please note that CIC provide us 60 days to submit 2nd stage documentation from the date of Invitation
and we may take up to 7 business day to submit from the date of receipt of all documents from you.
So kindly start collecting all documents beforehand.
Your all education documents after 12th class. If your diploma, certificate or degree
was not issued in Canada, you must also provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
You must show that you have at least 12 months of full-time work experience within the 36
months before your application.
You must provide the following documents of you and your spouse:
Submit bank statement or balance certificate to prove you have enough funds to settle in
Canada.
**All documents in a language other than English or French must be translated. Provide both a
photocopy of the document and the translation in English or French. **