Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you a foreign national who completed their education outside of Canada? If so, you may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian degree. An ECA is required for eligibility for Express Entry or to earn points for education outside Canada. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an ECA in Canada, including the necessary documents and fees.
Why Do You Need an ECA?
If you completed your education outside Canada, you need an ECA to be eligible for Express Entry or to earn points for education outside Canada. You don't need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate, and to earn points, your report must show that your completed foreign credential is equal to a completed Canadian high school or post-secondary credential.
Generally, you only need one assessment for your highest level of education. For example, if you have a master's degree, you only need one assessment for that specific degree, and you don't need another assessment for your bachelor's degree. If you have two or more credentials, you need an assessment for each one, and to get full points for more than one credential, at least one of the credentials must be for three or more years of study. The order that you complete your credential doesn't affect your points. So, if your post-secondary education is not equal to a Canadian degree, you can get your secondary education assessed, which means you get points just for completing your secondary school.
Designated Organizations for ECA
You must get your assessment from an organization designated by IRCC in Canada. As of today, there are five designated organizations that you can use in Canada. Here is a list of them:
1. Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
2. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
3. World Education Services
4. International Qualifications Assessment Service
5. International Credential Evaluation Service
How to Apply for an ECA
Now that you know why you need an ECA and the designated organizations, let's dive into the step-by-step process on how to apply for an ECA in Canada.
Step 1: Create a New Account
The first step is to go to wes.org/ca/eca and click on "Get Started." You will see three options: standard application with ECA, application for IRCC, and ECA for Agri-Food Pilot. Choose the second option, which is for immigration purposes, and click on "Start Application."
The first step is to create a new account. You need to enter your first name, last name, and date of birth. Then, select a password, security question, and click on "Create Account."
Step 2: Enter Your Education Credentials
The second step is the most important one, and you have to add your credentials here. Select the country of your education, which is where you studied, institution type like university education. Next, enter the name of your institution, name of diploma or certificate, like Master in Business Studies, name of the credential, year awarded, and years attended, and click on "Save."
If you have two or more credentials, you need to add them separately.
Step 3: Report Recipients
This is the final step, which is called report recipients. Here, you should enter the recipients you want WES to send your evaluation report to. The first recipient is you, and they will send you a copy of your ECA report to your mailing address. The second recipient is the institution or institutions that are receiving your report, like IRCC.
Please add immigration institutions you want your report sent to. You may only add institutions from our pre-approved list. Each institution you will add results in an additional fee of $30 plus shipping and handling. Note: IRCC is added by default. This is a mandatory recipient and cannot be deleted.
Step 4: Submit Your Documents
The standard processing time to receive a completed evaluation report is 20 business days after approval of documents and payment. If additional research is required, it will take longer.
You need a copy of your degree certificate, make sure not to send your original document. You also need your mark sheets or a statement of mark. You have two options: ask your university to send your documents directly to WES in a sealed envelope, or get your marks from your university and send them by yourself.
Make sure your transcripts are complete, and your WES reference number is on all envelopes. Don't send photocopies of transcripts, original documents, and documents regarding your work experience.
This is the address of World Educational Service in Canada, which is in Ontario. All documents must be mailed to them, and they don't accept in-person deliveries. Make sure to include your reference number, which they gave you earlier.
Step 5: Select a Payment Method and Pay Your Fees
The final step is to select a payment method and pay your fees. Once you make sure that all the information is correct, check these acknowledgments and go to the final step, which is to select a payment method and pay your fees.
Pros and Cons of ECA
Pros:
- An ECA is required for eligibility for Express Entry or to earn points for education outside Canada.
- You can get points just for completing your secondary school.
- You only need one assessment for your highest level of education.
Cons:
- You need to pay a fee for an ECA.
- You need to submit your original documents or get your marks from your university and send them by yourself.
Highlights
- An ECA is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian degree.
- You need an ECA to be eligible for Express Entry or to earn points for education outside Canada.
- You only need one assessment for your highest level of education.
- You can get points just for completing your secondary school.
- You must get your assessment from an organization designated by IRCC in Canada.
- The standard processing time to receive a completed evaluation report is 20 business days after approval of documents and payment.
FAQ
Q: Do I need an ECA for a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate?
A: No, you don't need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate.
Q: How many assessments do I need if I have two or more credentials?
A: You need an assessment for each one, and to get full points for more than one credential, at least one of the credentials must be for three or more years of study.
Q: Can I get points just for completing my secondary school?
A: Yes, if your post-secondary education is not equal to a Canadian degree, you can get your secondary education assessed, which means you get points just for completing your secondary school.
Q: How long does it take to receive a completed evaluation report?
A: The standard processing time to receive a completed evaluation report is 20 business days after approval of documents and payment.
Resources
- Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service
- International Credential Evaluation Service
