If you completed your education outside Canada and plan to immigrate, you may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) before you can use your foreign education for certain Canadian immigration programs.
Choosing the right ECA organization is important because not every credential assessment is accepted for Canadian immigration. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has designated specific organizations and professional bodies to assess foreign credentials for immigration purposes.
This guide explains the best ECA organizations for Canadian immigration, what an ECA does, how to choose an organization, what documents you may need, and common mistakes to avoid.
Important: ECA requirements, fees and processing times can change. Always confirm the current requirements with IRCC and the assessment organization before applying.
What Is an ECA for Canadian Immigration?
An Educational Credential Assessment, commonly called an ECA, checks whether a foreign degree, diploma or certificate is authentic and determines how it compares with a Canadian educational credential.
For immigration purposes, an ECA can help IRCC determine whether your foreign education meets program requirements or qualifies for education-related immigration points.
For example, you may have completed a bachelor’s degree in Nigeria, India, Ghana, the Philippines or another country. A Canadian immigration officer cannot simply assume that the credential is equivalent to a Canadian bachelor’s degree. An ECA provides an official assessment of the credential.
An ECA is particularly important for people considering Express Entry, including applicants who need an assessment of foreign education for Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility or education points.
However, an ECA does not automatically give you permission to work in Canada. If your occupation is regulated, you may need separate licensing or credential-recognition steps.
Who Needs an ECA for Canada Immigration?
If you completed education outside Canada, you may need an ECA if you want to use that education for immigration purposes.
According to IRCC, an ECA may be required if you completed education outside Canada and want to:
- Qualify as the principal applicant under the Federal Skilled Worker Program through Express Entry.
- Receive immigration points for foreign education.
- Receive education-related benefits under certain other immigration programs.
- Demonstrate that your foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
You generally do not need an ECA for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
For Express Entry, your ECA report and reference number are included in your profile when applicable.
Best ECA Organizations for Canadian Immigration
There are currently five general-purpose organizations designated by IRCC to provide ECAs for immigration purposes:
- Comparative Education Service (CES), University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- World Education Services (WES)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), British Columbia Institute of Technology
IRCC also designates certain professional bodies for specific regulated professions.
The important point is that there is not necessarily one universally “best” ECA organization. The best choice depends on your country of education, credential, profession, document availability, budget and preferred processing process.
1. World Education Services (WES)
WES is one of the most widely recognized names in international credential evaluation and is designated by IRCC to provide ECAs for Canadian immigration.
WES provides an immigration-specific ECA service for people whose education was completed outside Canada. Applicants need to follow WES’s document requirements for the country where they studied.
One reason applicants consider WES is its established online application and document-verification process.
However, applicants should not choose WES simply because it is popular. You should first check its current document requirements for your country and institution.
WES explains that documents must be received and accepted before an evaluation can be completed, and additional verification can affect processing.
Best suited for: Applicants looking for a well-known, immigration-specific credential assessment provider with an established online process.
2. Comparative Education Service (CES)
The Comparative Education Service, operated through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, is another IRCC-designated organization.
CES assesses international academic credentials and can issue an ECA for Canadian immigration purposes.
Applicants should review CES’s current requirements before submitting an application, particularly regarding official academic documents and how their educational institution must provide them.
Best suited for: Applicants who prefer an assessment service associated with a Canadian university and whose credentials meet CES’s current document requirements.
3. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
The International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) is another designated organization for immigration-related educational credential assessments.
ICAS assesses educational credentials earned outside Canada and provides reports that can be used for eligible Canadian immigration purposes.
As with every ECA provider, applicants should check the organization’s current requirements before applying. Document procedures can differ depending on the country where the credential was earned.
Best suited for: Applicants comparing designated Canadian assessment providers and looking for an alternative to WES, CES, IQAS or ICES.
4. International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) is an Alberta-based credential assessment service and one of IRCC’s designated ECA organizations.
IQAS can assess international educational credentials for Canadian immigration purposes.
Because document requirements, fees and processing arrangements can change, applicants should review IQAS’s latest instructions before sending documents.
Best suited for: Applicants who want another IRCC-designated option and whose credentials and documents fit IQAS’s current requirements.
5. International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) is operated by the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is also designated by IRCC.
ICES provides credential assessment services for internationally educated applicants.
Like the other designated organizations, ICES determines how a foreign educational credential compares with a Canadian credential for the purpose of its assessment.
Best suited for: Applicants who want to compare all five general-purpose IRCC-designated organizations before selecting an ECA provider.
Which ECA Organization Is Best for Express Entry?
For many Express Entry applicants, the practical answer is:
Choose an IRCC-designated organization that accepts your documents and offers a process that fits your circumstances.
There is no universal rule saying that WES is always better than IQAS, CES, ICAS or ICES.
Instead, compare:
- Whether the organization is currently designated by IRCC.
- Whether it assesses your type of credential.
- Document requirements for your country.
- How your university or institution must submit records.
- Current fees.
- Current processing times.
- Whether additional verification may be required.
- Whether you need an immigration ECA rather than another type of credential evaluation.
IRCC specifically states that processing times and costs can vary by organization or professional body.
ECA Comparison: WES vs CES vs ICAS vs IQAS vs ICES
| ECA Organization | IRCC Designated | General Use | Important Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| WES | Yes | Immigration ECA | Check country-specific document requirements |
| CES | Yes | Immigration ECA | Review current submission instructions |
| ICAS | Yes | Immigration ECA | Check credential and document requirements |
| IQAS | Yes | Immigration ECA | Review current application process |
| ICES | Yes | Immigration ECA | Check current documentation requirements |
The table is a starting point rather than a ranking. IRCC confirms that these five organizations are designated for general-purpose ECAs.
What Is the Difference Between an ECA and a Regular Credential Evaluation?
This is one of the most important points for immigration applicants.
A credential evaluation may be used for employment, education, professional licensing or other purposes. An ECA for immigration purposes is specifically intended for programs where IRCC accepts an ECA.
IRCC warns that different types of ECAs exist and that you need an assessment for immigration purposes when an ECA is required.
Therefore, do not order an evaluation simply because it is described as an “international credential evaluation.”
Before paying, confirm that you are ordering the Canadian immigration ECA required by IRCC.
What Documents Are Needed for an ECA?
The exact documents depend on your education history and the organization you choose.
Commonly requested documents can include:
- Degree or diploma certificates.
- Academic transcripts.
- Official academic records.
- Identification information.
- Translations where required.
- Documents sent directly by the educational institution, where required.
Do not assume that a photocopy of your degree is enough.
For example, WES states that applicants must follow document requirements based on the country or territory where the education was completed. It also explains that documents may need to be verified before the evaluation is completed.
The safest approach is to check the instructions provided by your chosen ECA organization before requesting documents from your school.
How Long Does an ECA Take?
There is no single processing time that applies to every ECA organization or applicant.
Processing can depend on:
- The assessment organization.
- Your country of education.
- How quickly your institution sends documents.
- Whether documents are complete.
- Whether additional verification is required.
- The organization’s application volume.
- Whether your case is straightforward or complex.
For example, WES explains that its processing begins after required documents have been received, verified and accepted, and that complex evaluations can take longer.
This means you should not calculate your immigration timeline based only on the number of days advertised by an ECA organization.
Document delivery and verification can be a significant part of the overall timeline.
How Much Does an ECA Cost?
ECA costs vary between organizations and can also increase when you need additional services, document delivery or other options.
Rather than relying on an old blog post that lists a specific price, check the provider’s current fee schedule before applying.
IRCC also confirms that processing times and costs may vary between designated organizations and professional bodies.
For budgeting purposes, remember that your total cost may include more than the basic assessment fee.
You may also need to budget for:
- Courier charges.
- Translation.
- Document replacement.
- Additional copies.
- Institution-related document fees.
- Other optional services.
Do You Need to Assess Every Degree?
Not necessarily.
For many Express Entry applicants, IRCC says that in most cases you only need an assessment of your highest level of education.
For example, if you have a master’s degree, you generally do not need to assess your bachelor’s degree simply because you have both.
However, there are situations where assessing more than one credential can matter. If you want education points for two or more credentials, IRCC has specific requirements, including an assessment for each credential.
This is an area where applicants should carefully read the current Express Entry education rules rather than automatically ordering multiple assessments.
What If You Are a Doctor, Pharmacist or Architect?
This is where choosing an ECA provider becomes especially important.
Certain professions have designated professional bodies for immigration ECAs.
IRCC currently identifies professional bodies for:
- Architects.
- Doctors.
- Pharmacists.
For architects, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the designated professional body in the circumstances described by IRCC.
For doctors, the Medical Council of Canada is designated.
For pharmacists, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada is designated.
If you work in one of these professions, do not automatically select WES or another general-purpose organization.
Check the IRCC rules for your specific occupation first.
Does an ECA Give You a Canadian Professional License?
No.
An ECA does not automatically authorize you to work in a regulated profession in Canada.
For example, having an ECA showing that your foreign degree is comparable to a Canadian degree does not automatically mean that you can practise medicine, pharmacy, architecture or another regulated occupation.
IRCC explicitly notes that an ECA does not guarantee employment or professional licensing. People working in regulated occupations may need to complete a separate licensing process in the province or territory where they intend to work.
This distinction is extremely important for newcomers.
How Long Is an ECA Valid?
For Express Entry, IRCC states that an ECA must be less than five years old when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application after receiving an invitation to apply.
If your ECA is approaching its expiry date while you remain in the Express Entry pool, check the current IRCC instructions and contact the organization that issued the report if you need information about re-issuing it.
Do not assume an old ECA will remain acceptable indefinitely.
Common ECA Mistakes to Avoid
1. Choosing a non-designated organization
The most serious mistake is paying for an assessment that IRCC does not accept for your immigration application.
Always confirm the provider’s designation on the official IRCC website.
2. Ordering the wrong type of assessment
An evaluation for employment or university admission is not automatically the same as an ECA for Canadian immigration.
Select the immigration-specific assessment when required.
3. Sending incomplete documents
Missing transcripts, incorrect document formats or failure to follow institution-specific instructions can delay an application.
4. Assuming WES is automatically the best choice
WES is popular, but popularity does not mean it is the right option for every applicant.
Compare the designated providers based on your circumstances.
5. Ignoring professional-body requirements
Architects, doctors and pharmacists may have profession-specific ECA requirements.
6. Assuming an ECA guarantees immigration approval
An ECA is only one part of an immigration application.
Your eligibility can also depend on factors such as language ability, work experience, age, admissibility and the requirements of the immigration program you are applying under.
How to Choose the Right ECA Organization
A simple decision process can make the choice easier.
Step 1: Identify your immigration program.
Determine whether you need an ECA for Express Entry or another Canadian immigration pathway.
Step 2: Check IRCC’s current designated organizations.
Do not rely solely on third-party websites.
Step 3: Check whether your occupation requires a professional body.
This is particularly important for architects, doctors and pharmacists.
Step 4: Check your country-specific document requirements.
Find out how your university or educational institution must provide records.
Step 5: Compare current costs and processing information.
Use the official provider websites rather than outdated social media posts.
Step 6: Order the immigration ECA.
Make sure you select the correct purpose before paying.
Step 7: Keep your ECA reference information.
You may need the report details when completing your Express Entry profile or immigration application.
Frequently Asked Questions About ECA for Canada Immigration
What is the best ECA organization for Canada immigration?
There is no single best organization for everyone. IRCC currently designates WES, CES, ICAS, IQAS and ICES for general-purpose ECAs. The right provider depends on your circumstances and document requirements.
Is WES accepted for Canadian immigration?
Yes. WES is one of the organizations designated by IRCC to provide ECAs for Canadian immigration. Applicants must select the appropriate immigration ECA and meet WES’s document requirements.
Can I use any credential evaluation for Express Entry?
No. When an ECA is required, it must come from an organization or professional body designated by IRCC for that purpose.
Do I need an ECA for a Canadian degree?
Generally, no. IRCC states that you do not need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
Do I need to assess my bachelor’s degree if I have a master’s degree?
In most cases, only your highest level of education needs to be assessed. However, if you want points for multiple credentials, different rules apply and each credential may need an assessment.
Does an ECA guarantee Canadian permanent residence?
No. An ECA only addresses your foreign education for immigration purposes. It does not guarantee eligibility, an invitation to apply, permanent residence, employment or professional licensing.
How long is an ECA valid for Express Entry?
IRCC says an ECA must be less than five years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application after receiving an invitation.
Can an ECA help me get a job in Canada?
It may help employers understand your foreign education, but an ECA does not guarantee employment. If your occupation is regulated, you may also need provincial or territorial licensing.