An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a document that verifies the Canadian equivalence of a foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or other proof of education credential.

The ECA report states whether an individual’s educational credential is equivalent to Canadian standards and is valid for Canadian immigration. If the ECA report says that the foreign academic certificate is comparable, the individual may include the information in his or her Express Entry profile.

The ECA report states whether an individual’s educational credential is equivalent to Canadian standards and is valid for Canadian immigration. If the ECA report says that the foreign academic certificate is comparable, the individual may include the information in his or her Express Entry profile.

Who needs an ECA?

Candidates who wish to be considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Class must have an ECA before entering the Express Entry pool unless their educational credential was obtained from an institution in Canada.

The spouses or common-law partners of a candidate for any of the programs managed under the Express Entry system must also obtain an ECA for his or her foreign education if he or she wishes to claim CRS points. An ECA is not required for an accompanying spouse or partner. However, no points may be awarded without presenting an ECA.

A candidate and his or her spouse/partner (if applicable) must obtain an ECA for each credential for which he or she wishes to claim points. For example, suppose a candidate has completed high school, a Bachelor’s degree, and a graduate diploma. In that case, he or she may obtain more points under the CRS if he or she obtains an ECA for the Bachelor and the graduate diploma than if he or she had only the Bachelor degree assessed.

Obtaining an ECA

To obtain an ECA report, a candidate (and his or her accompanying spouse or partner, if applicable) submits the required documents to an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These organizations operate independently of the government of Canada. Required documents may include transcripts and certificates.