ECA- The Educational Credential Assessment for Canada Immigration
CIC News Update | ECA: Education Credential Assessment Evaluation By Institutes
Credential evaluations are essential for individuals moving to a new country to work, study, or get licensed. They verify and standardize foreign qualifications to meet local standards.
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Why Canadian Institutions Prefer WES (World Education Services)?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) differs from a regular credential evaluation in purpose and scope:
Immigration-Specific: An ECA is tailored to meet Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements, specifically for immigration programs like Express Entry.
Validity Period: ECAs for IRCC are valid for five years, unlike regular evaluations, which may not have an expiration date.
Assessment Focus: ECAs evaluate how international credentials compare to Canadian educational standards, whereas regular evaluations focus on academic or employment purposes.
Designated Organizations: Only IRCC-approved agencies like WES, IQAS, and ICAS can issue ECAs for immigration, ensuring compliance with immigration standards.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Canadian Immigration:
What is an ECA?
An ECA evaluates the equivalency of your foreign educational qualifications to Canadian standards.
It ensures your credentials meet the requirements for immigration programs.
Why is an ECA Important?
It is mandatory for certain Canadian immigration pathways, such as Express Entry.
It helps increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in Express Entry by recognizing your educational achievements.
Who Needs an ECA?
Applicants applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
Those seeking points for education under Express Entry.
Principal applicants and accompanying spouses (if they want to claim CRS points for education).
Valid for Five Years: Validity of ECA
ECAs are valid for five years from the date of issue.
After five years, an ECA must be renewed if you still need it for immigration purposes.
Accepted Organizations for ECA:
WES (World Education Services)
CES (Comparative Education Service)
ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service)
IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
MCC (Medical Council of Canada) – for physicians.
PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) – for pharmacists.
Steps to Obtain an ECA:
Choose a designated organization recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Create an account on the organization’s website.
Submit required documents (degree certificates, transcripts, etc.) as per the organization’s guidelines.
Pay the evaluation fees.
Wait for the assessment report, which typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on the organization.
Key Documents Required for ECA:
Degree certificates and diplomas.
Academic transcripts (sent directly from the institution to the assessing organization).
Costs Associated:
Average cost ranges between CAD 200-400, excluding delivery charges and additional report requests.
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How to Use an ECA for Immigration:
Upload the ECA reference number to your Express Entry profile.
Ensure the credentials align with IRCC requirements for claiming CRS points.
Renewal Process for ECA:
Contact the same organization that issued your ECA to request a renewal.
Provide updated information if necessary, and pay any applicable fees.
Special Cases:
Medical and pharmacy professionals must use designated organizations like MCC or PEBC for their ECAs.
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