What is ECA?

An Educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian one.

Who needs an ECA?

This about this: Did you study outside Canada and want to points for it under Canadian Immigration programs?

If your answer is YES, then you need an ECA. Remember, You don’t need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.

Why do I need ECA?

If you completed your education outside Canada, you need an assessment to:

• be eligible as the principal applicant for Federal Skilled Workers Program (Express Entry), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or
• earn points for education you got outside Canada

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

To earn points, your report must show that your completed foreign credential (degree, diploma or certificate) is equal to a completed Canadian secondary school (high school) or post-secondary credential.

Should I request any specific kind of ECA ?

There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes. If you got another type of ECA, you may be able to get it re-issued, depending on the type of ECA and/or issuing organization.

Your ECA report must:

• be issued for immigration purposes by an organization or professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• be issued on or after the date IRCC designated the organization or professional body
• not be more than 5 years old on the date you:
  • submit your Express Entry profile
  • apply for permanent residence

I have multiple degrees – do I need ECA for each one?

In most cases, you only need an assessment for your highest level of education. For example, if you have a Master’s degree, you only need an assessment for that degree. You don’t need one for your Bachelor’s degree.

When to get an assessment for 2 or more credentials

You can get multiple assessment to get additional points in the immigration program.

Few notes,

• To get points for having 2 or more credentials, you need an assessment for each one
• To get full points for more than 1 credential, at least 1 of the credentials must be for 3 or more years of study.
• The order that you complete your credentials does not affect points.

When to get your secondary education assessed

If your post-secondary credential is not equal to a Canadian credential, you could get your secondary credential assessed. This would get you points for completing secondary school.

Who can do the assessment?

You must get your assessment from an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They will give you a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.

Designated Organizations (General)

You must use one of these designated organizations:

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

Once you choose a designated organization or a professional body, they will tell you how to submit your documents to get your assessment.

Specialists and family physicians (NOC 31100, NOC 31101 or NOC 31102)

You must get an ECA report for your primary medical diploma from the Medical Council of Canada if your primary occupation is

• specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC code 31100)
• specialist in surgery (NOC code 31101)
• general practitioner or family physician (NOC code 31102)

Pharmacists (NOC 31120)

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for pharmacists designated on January 6, 2014) must do your assessment if

• your primary occupation is pharmacist (NOC code 31120)
• you need a license to practice ( For example, you would need a license if you were caring for patients in a: community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long-term care facility, other practice settings)

What your report means?

Your report must show that your foreign credential is valid and equal to a completed Canadian secondary school (high school) or post-secondary credential. If it does, you must include the result and reference number in your Express Entry profile.

If your report shows that your credential isn’t equal to a completed Canadian credential or the foreign educational institution is not recognized:

• you won’t meet the education requirement under the Federal Skilled Workers Program
• you won’t get any points for it

Do I need to ask Designated Organization to send the ECA report directly to Immigration Officer / Government Department processing my file?

No, don’t ask the designated organization or the professional body to send the ECA report directly to Immigration Officer / Government Department processing your file.

Once you get your report:

1. Enter the results and the reference number into your online profile
2. keep your original documents
3. be ready to upload copies if invited to apply for permanent residence /provincial nomination

Disclaimer : Information provided in this blog article cannot be deemed as legal advice.

Got Questions?