🎓 Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Express Entry

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is an official evaluation of foreign education used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to determine whether your completed education outside Canada is equivalent to a Canadian credential.

If you are applying through Express Entry and want to receive points for education obtained abroad, an ECA is required.

📌 What is an Educational Credential Assessment?

An ECA confirms how your foreign diploma, degree, or certificate compares to Canadian education standards. The assessment result indicates whether your education is equivalent to:

  • Canadian secondary school (high school)
  • Canadian post-secondary certificate or diploma
  • Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree

👤 Who needs an ECA?

  • Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program must have an ECA for foreign education.
  • You need an ECA to claim CRS points for education completed outside Canada.
  • You may also obtain an ECA for your spouse or common-law partner to gain additional CRS points.
  • An ECA is not required if your education was completed in Canada.

📅 Validity period

Your ECA report must be issued within the last 5 years on the date you submit:

  • your Express Entry profile, and
  • your application for permanent residence (if invited)

🏢 IRCC-designated ECA organizations

Only assessments issued by organizations designated by IRCC are accepted for Express Entry immigration purposes. Approved organizations include:

  • Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
  • International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

For regulated professions (e.g. doctors, pharmacists), you must use the designated professional body.

📝 How to get an ECA

  1. Choose one IRCC-designated assessment organization.
  2. Submit required documents (degrees, transcripts, translations if applicable).
  3. Pay the assessment fee.
  4. Receive your ECA report and reference number.
  5. Enter the ECA details in your Express Entry profile.

📊 CRS points and education

Your ECA result directly affects your score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Higher educational equivalency (for example, a master’s degree or PhD) provides more CRS points and improves your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

⚠️ Important notes

  • An ECA does not give you the right to work in a regulated occupation in Canada.
  • Professional licensing is handled by provincial or territorial regulatory bodies.
  • If you completed more than one foreign credential, each credential may require assessment.

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