Have you heard about an Education Credential Assessment? Do you know much about it? In this article, you can learn about an Education Credential Assessment and how you can get it. This article should give you a general idea about Education Credential Assessment, but be mindful that immigration law changes frequently. This article may not be accurate when you read, so always check the current rules and regulations before you apply!Please talk to a professional if you have concerns or questions. We are not responsible for any consequences you may face.
What is an Education Credential Assessment?
An Education Credential Assessment(ECA) is one of the required documents for permanent residency applicants under the Economy Class and verifies that your education you completed outside Canada meets the Canadian education standards. In other words, this document proves that your certificate, diploma, or degree you earned outside Canada is valid and equal to the Canadian one.
Who Needs an ECA?
Applicants who apply for permanent residency and completed their post-secondary education outside Canada needs to get it to prove their education. You may need an ECA to obtain a study permit and sometimes for a work permit depending on your situation.
Why Do I Need an ECA?
An ECA is particularly important when you apply for permanent residency under a program that uses a point-based system, as you can claim points for your education.
What Do I Need for an ECA?
In general, you will need a complete photocopy of a certificate, diploma, or degree, a complete photocopy of a transcript, and an English or French translation of these documents. You will likely need to contact the school you attended for the transcript. You may be requested other documents depending on the country you completed the education.
Where Can I Get an ECA?
You need to obtain an ECA through an organization that is designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The table shows designated organizations as well as the cost and process time. Please note that the process starts after all the required documents are submitted, not the time you applied. Some occupations require an ECA from a certain organization. Please ensure to see if you need to use a specific organization for your ECA here.
| Designated Organization | Cost (CAD$) | Process Time |
|---|---|---|
| Comparative Education Service(CES) | $210 | 12 Weeks |
| International Credential Assessment Service of Canada(ICAS) | $200 | 20 Weeks |
| World Education Services(WES) | $200 | 20 Business Days |
| International Qualification Assessment Service(IQAS) | $200 | 12 Weeks |
| International Credential Evaluation Service(ICES) | $200 | 10 Weeks |
| *Medical Council of Canada(MCC) | ***$165 | 3-4 Months |
| **Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | ***$650 | 8 Weeks |
*This is for specialist physicians (NOC3111) and General practitioners/family physicians (NOC3112), and they must get an ECA through MCC.
**This is for pharmacists, and they have to get an ECA from PEBC
***The fee does not include evaluating examination fees
How Can I Get It?
The procedure depends on which organization you use, but generally, you will need to contact your school and ask to send the official transcripts that have all the courses you took to the organization you chose. The transcripts need to indicate that you completed the program and must be in English/French. Your school should directly send the transcripts to the organization or to you in a sealed envelope. If you have completed more than one post-secondary programs, you should get transcripts from all post-secondary schools.
What Does My Report Mean?
As I mentioned earlier, the report verifies your education abroad. This is to help you convince an immigration officer that you have education and can contribute to economic growth of Canada or a specific province/territory if you apply for a Provincial Nominee Program, but there is more to it. When you create a profile on Express Entry, you will be awarded with points for your education. You can find out how much points you can get for your education here.
How Long an ECA Valid for?
An ECA is valid for 5 years since the day it is issued. You will need to update it if you have completed another program since you got an ECA as well.
Conclusion
An ECA is a required document that proves and verifies your education outside Canada. Since it takes some time to obtain, it is probably a good idea to get it sooner than later, as it is valid for 5 years. Unless you plan on studying again or are completing school now, you can get it now and use it for immigration purposes later.
