Do I need an ECA for Canada PR?
You need an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education claimed under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or for Express Entry CRS education points. Canadian credentials do not need one.
You need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you want foreign education to count in Express Entry. An ECA is mandatory to meet Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility with foreign study, and it is required before Comprehensive Ranking System education points can be awarded for a foreign credential. Education completed in Canada does not require an ECA. The Canadian Experience Class has no education requirement at all.
Key facts
| Required for | Foreign education used for FSW eligibility or CRS education points |
|---|---|
| Not required for | Canadian diplomas and degrees |
| Issued by | Organizations designated by IRCC, such as WES, IQAS, ICAS, CES and ICES |
| Validity | Five years from the date the report is issued |
| Regulated professions | Separate licensing assessment — an ECA is not a licence |
Who may qualify?
- Applicants with foreign degrees or diplomas entering the Express Entry pool
- Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates relying on foreign study
- Candidates claiming CRS points for a foreign credential, alone or with a spouse's credential
Eligibility requirements
- A completed credential from a recognized institution
- Official transcripts and award documents sent as the designated organization instructs
- A report issued by an IRCC-designated organization and still within five years on the day of the round
How it works: step by step
- 1
Confirm you need one
Canadian credentials and Canadian Experience Class applications do not require an ECA.
- 2
Choose a designated organization
Use only organizations designated by IRCC; other evaluations are not accepted.
- 3
Order documents early
Transcript release from some institutions takes weeks and is the usual delay.
- 4
Enter the report accurately
Report the Canadian equivalency stated in the ECA, not your own translation of the credential.
Expert insight
RCIC strategy consideration: order the ECA before you finish language testing. Transcript release from overseas institutions is the single most common cause of a delayed Express Entry profile, and the language test can usually be booked faster than the transcripts arrive.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.