Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Express Entry: How to Apply, Costs, and Processing Times

What Is an Educational Credential Assessment?

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a report issued by a designated organization that verifies whether your foreign education credential (degree, diploma, or certificate) is equivalent to a Canadian credential. IRCC requires an ECA for Express Entry applicants whose education was completed outside Canada.

The purpose of the ECA is to ensure that foreign credentials are evaluated on a consistent basis. A degree from a university in India, Nigeria, the Philippines, or any other country needs to be assessed to determine its Canadian equivalent.

Without an ECA, your foreign education will not be counted toward:

The FSW 67-point selection grid
Your CRS score in the Express Entry pool
Skill transferability points

If your education was completed entirely in Canada at a recognized institution, you do not need an ECA. Your Canadian credential is accepted as-is.

Official IRCC page: Educational Credential Assessment

When Do You Need an ECA?

Required Scenarios

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW): An ECA is mandatory if your education was completed outside Canada. Education is one of the six selection factors on the 67-point grid, and you cannot claim education points without an ECA.
CRS scoring for any program: If you want your foreign education to count toward your CRS score (whether you apply under FSW, CEC, or FST), you need an ECA.

Not Required Scenarios

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): There is no education requirement for CEC eligibility. However, if you want your education to contribute to your CRS score, you still need an ECA for foreign education.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST): There is no education requirement for FST eligibility. As with CEC, an ECA is optional but beneficial for CRS points.
Canadian education: If your education was completed in Canada, no ECA is needed. Provide your original Canadian credential as proof.

Practical Recommendation

Even if an ECA is not technically required for your program, getting one is almost always worth it because education contributes to your CRS score. Higher CRS scores mean better chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Designated Organizations for ECAs

IRCC only accepts ECAs from specific designated organizations. Using any other assessment service will not be accepted for immigration purposes. Here are the designated organizations:

World Education Services (WES)

WES is the most commonly used ECA provider for Canadian immigration. It is popular because of its relatively fast processing times and straightforward application process.

Website: WES Canada
Cost: approximately $200 CAD (basic evaluation) + $85 CAD (IRCC fee for Express Entry purposes) = approximately $285 CAD total
Processing time: approximately 20 business days after receiving all documents (though times can vary)
Accepted by: IRCC for Express Entry and most Provincial Nominee Programs

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

IQAS is operated by the Government of Alberta and is another widely used option.

Website: IQAS
Cost: approximately $200 CAD
Processing time: approximately 12-16 weeks
Accepted by: IRCC for Express Entry

Comparative Education Service (CES) - University of Toronto

CES is operated by the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies.

Website: CES
Cost: approximately $210 CAD
Processing time: approximately 12-16 weeks
Accepted by: IRCC for Express Entry

International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

ICES is operated by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Website: ICES
Cost: approximately $200 CAD
Processing time: approximately 12-16 weeks
Accepted by: IRCC for Express Entry

Medical Council of Canada (MCC)

For physicians and medical graduates, the MCC provides assessments of medical credentials.

Website: MCC
Accepted for: Medical degree assessments specifically

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

For pharmacists, PEBC provides credential assessments.

Website: PEBC
Accepted for: Pharmacy degree assessments specifically

For the complete and current list of designated organizations, visit: IRCC ECA Designated Organizations

How to Apply for an ECA: Step-by-Step (WES Example)

WES is the most commonly used provider, so this guide focuses on the WES process. Other organizations follow similar steps but with their own specific procedures.

Step 1: Create a WES Account

Go to WES Canada and create an online account. Select the purpose of your evaluation as "IRCC" (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

Choose the "WES Standard" application, which is the version accepted for Express Entry.

Step 2: Select Your Country and Credential

Enter the country where you completed your education and the type of credential (bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc.). WES will display the specific document requirements for your country and credential.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the application fee online. The fee includes the evaluation and delivery of the report. As of 2025, the total cost is approximately $285 CAD (evaluation fee + IRCC fee).

Step 4: Request Your Academic Documents

This is often the most time-consuming step. WES requires that your institution send your academic documents directly to WES. The specific documents required depend on the country:

Common requirements:

Official transcripts (sent directly by the institution to WES)
Degree certificate or diploma (sent directly by the institution or through the country's verification system)

Country-specific processes:

India: WES accepts documents through the WES Gateway managed by DataFlow. Your institution verifies and sends documents through this system.
Philippines: Transcripts must be sent directly by the institution. A Special Order from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) may also be required.
Nigeria: WES uses a verification process through the institution. Transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope directly from the university.
China: Academic documents must be verified through the China Higher Education Student Information (CHESICC) system or the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Centre (CDGDC).
Pakistan: Transcripts must be sent directly by the institution or through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) attestation.

Check the WES website for your specific country's requirements: WES Required Documents

Step 5: Send Your Documents to WES

In addition to documents sent by your institution, you may need to mail physical copies of certain documents to WES. Follow the instructions for your specific country and credential.

Step 6: Track Your Application

Monitor your WES account for status updates. WES will confirm when they receive your documents and when the evaluation begins. You will be notified when the report is ready.

Step 7: Receive Your ECA Report

Once the evaluation is complete, WES will provide an ECA report stating the Canadian equivalent of your foreign credential. For example, your four-year bachelor's degree from India might be assessed as equivalent to a Canadian bachelor's degree (four years).

The report will be sent to IRCC electronically (if you selected this option) and a copy will be available in your WES account.

Understanding Your ECA Results

Your ECA report will state the Canadian equivalent of your foreign credential. Common equivalencies include:

| Foreign Credential | Typical Canadian Equivalent | |-------------------|-----------------------------| | 3-year bachelor's degree | Three-year bachelor's degree | | 4-year bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree (four years) | | Master's degree (1-2 years) | Master's degree | | PhD/Doctoral degree | Doctoral degree | | 2-year diploma | Two-year diploma | | 1-year post-graduate diploma | One-year post-secondary certificate |

The specific equivalency depends on the country, institution, and program. Some credentials may be assessed at a lower Canadian equivalent than expected. For example, a three-year bachelor's degree from certain countries may be assessed as a two-year diploma equivalent.

If you disagree with the assessment, you can request a review or appeal with the designated organization, though the process and success rate vary.

How the ECA Affects Your CRS Score

Your ECA result directly determines the education points in your CRS score:

| Canadian Equivalent (per ECA) | CRS Points (Single) | CRS Points (With Spouse) | |-------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------| | Doctoral degree (PhD) | 150 | 140 | | Master's or professional degree | 135 | 126 | | Two or more credentials (one 3+ years) | 128 | 119 | | Bachelor's degree (3+ years) | 120 | 112 | | Two-year post-secondary | 98 | 91 | | One-year post-secondary | 90 | 84 | | Secondary school diploma | 30 | 28 |

Additionally, education interacts with language skills and work experience in the skill transferability category, potentially adding up to 100 more CRS points.

ECA Validity

An ECA report for Express Entry is valid for five years from the date of issue. Your ECA must be valid:

When you submit your Express Entry profile
When you receive your Invitation to Apply
When you submit your permanent residence application

If your ECA expires during processing, you may be asked to obtain a new one. Plan your timeline accordingly.

Processing Times and How to Speed Things Up

Processing times vary by organization and by country of education:

| Organization | Typical Processing Time | |-------------|------------------------| | WES | 20 business days (after documents received) | | IQAS | 12-16 weeks | | CES (U of T) | 12-16 weeks | | ICES (BCIT) | 12-16 weeks |

Note: These times start from when the organization receives all required documents, not from when you submit your application.

Tips for Faster Processing

Start early. Begin the ECA process well before you plan to create your Express Entry profile. Institutional delays in sending documents are the most common cause of extended timelines.
Contact your institution immediately. As soon as you decide to apply for an ECA, request that your institution send your transcripts and degree certificates. Follow up regularly.
Use electronic verification systems. Some countries have electronic systems (like India's DataFlow through WES, or China's CHESICC) that can be faster than mailing physical documents.
Provide complete and accurate information. Incomplete applications cause delays. Double-check all details before submitting.
Choose the right organization for your timeline. WES generally has faster processing times. If speed is important, WES may be your best option.

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

Documents Not Received

The most common delay is institutions being slow to send documents. If your institution has not sent documents after two to three weeks, contact them directly to follow up. Get a tracking number for any mailed documents.

Credential Assessed Lower Than Expected

If your credential is assessed at a lower Canadian equivalent than you believe it should be, you can:

Request a review from the same organization
Apply to a different designated organization for a second opinion
Provide additional supporting documentation (program syllabi, course descriptions, accreditation details)

Multiple Credentials

If you have multiple education credentials (for example, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree), assess all of them. Having two or more post-secondary credentials (with one being three years or longer) earns more CRS points than a single credential.

You can get separate ECAs for each credential, or some organizations offer multi-credential assessments.

Institution Closed or Records Unavailable

If your institution has closed or cannot provide records, contact the ECA organization for guidance. They may accept alternative documentation such as certified copies from a government ministry of education.

Costs Summary

Here is a breakdown of typical ECA costs:

| Cost Item | Approximate Amount (CAD) | |-----------|-------------------------| | WES evaluation fee | $200 | | WES IRCC fee | $85 | | Courier/shipping fees | $20-$85 | | Institutional transcript fees | $10-$50 per institution | | Authentication/apostille (if required) | $20-$100 | | Total estimated range | $250-$450 |

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ECA for each credential I want to include?

Yes. Each foreign credential needs its own ECA if you want it to count. However, you can include multiple credentials in one ECA application with some organizations.

Can I use an ECA from a non-designated organization?

No. IRCC only accepts ECAs from designated organizations listed on their website. Other assessments, even from reputable organizations, will not be accepted for Express Entry.

What if I have both Canadian and foreign education?

Your Canadian education does not need an ECA. Get an ECA only for your foreign education. Both will count toward your CRS score.

Can I start my Express Entry profile while waiting for my ECA?

No. You need your ECA report number and the assessed Canadian equivalent to complete your Express Entry profile. You must have the ECA before creating your profile.

Is an ECA required for my spouse?

An ECA is not required for your spouse, but having one for their foreign education allows their education to contribute to your CRS score (up to 10 points from spouse education). If your spouse has strong education credentials, it is worth getting an ECA.

Can I use an ECA obtained for a different purpose?

If you already have an ECA from a designated organization that was issued within the last five years, you can use it for Express Entry, provided it includes the IRCC assessment. Some organizations require you to pay an additional fee to have the report updated for immigration purposes.