Which ECA body is best?
There is no single best option. WES is the most widely used, while IQAS, ICES and others can suit applicants linked to a province or with specific credentials. We recommend a body after reviewing your documents.
EDUCATION CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENTECA: Education Credential Assessment for Canada
An Education Credential Assessment shows that your foreign degree, diploma or certificate is equal to a Canadian credential. We help you choose the right evaluation body, prepare documents and avoid delays.
- Used for
- Express Entry & PNP
- Main bodies
- WES, ICAS, IQAS, CES, ICES
- Report validity
- 5 years from issue
- Outcome
- Canadian equivalency report
What Is an ECA?
An ECA is a report from an organisation designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It confirms that your foreign credential is valid and states its Canadian equivalent, for example a bachelor's or master's degree.
For Express Entry, applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program need an ECA, and many other applicants submit one to claim education points in the Comprehensive Ranking System. Provincial programs often ask for it too.
An ECA is different from professional licensing. If you work in a regulated profession such as medicine, nursing, engineering or teaching in Canada, you will also need to register with the relevant provincial regulator.
Designated Evaluation Bodies
IRCC designates these organisations to issue ECAs for immigration. Choose the one that suits your credential and timeline.
- World Education ServicesWES
The most widely used body. It evaluates degrees and diplomas from most countries and issues a course-by-course or document-by-document report.
Official website → - International Credential Assessment Service of CanadaICAS
Issues ECA reports for immigration and also offers more detailed evaluations for employment or study.
Official website → - International Qualifications Assessment Service, AlbertaIQAS
Run by the Government of Alberta. Assesses your education against Canadian standards, and is often chosen by applicants linked to Alberta.
Official website → - Comparative Education Service, University of TorontoCES
Offers document-by-document evaluations of international credentials delivered through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
Official website → - International Credential Evaluation Service, BCITICES
Operated by the British Columbia Institute of Technology. A common choice for applicants linked to British Columbia.
Official website → - Medical Council of CanadaMCC
Designated for physicians who need to verify medical degrees through the Physician Credentials Repository.
Official website → - Pharmacy Examining Board of CanadaPEBC
Designated for pharmacists, with an evaluation of pharmacy qualifications.
Official website →
Other Credential Evaluators We Support
Outside Canada, other countries rely on their own evaluation bodies.
- Ecctis (UK ENIC)
Benchmarks overseas qualifications to UK levels for visas and employment.
- WES and ECE (USA)
Evaluate foreign credentials for US study, employment and licensing.
- Quebec comparative evaluation
Quebec's immigration ministry issues its own comparative evaluation for education obtained outside Canada.
How Our ECA Service Works
- Choose the right body
We review your credential, country of study and plans to recommend a designated organisation.
- Create your application
We help you open your account and complete the form so it matches your passport and certificates.
- Arrange documents
Your institution must send transcripts or verify records directly to the body. We prepare the request and track it.
- Review and submit
A final check of names, dates, programmes and fees before you submit.
- Receive your report
Add your ECA reference number to your Express Entry profile or provincial application.
Documents You Usually Need
- Valid passport and a clear copy of your degree certificate or diploma
- Official transcripts or mark sheets, often sent in a sealed envelope or digitally by the university
- Provisional certificate or final-year result if the degree is still being processed
- Name-change documents if names differ across your records
- Translations by a certified translator for documents not in English or French
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what applicants ask us most.
How long does an ECA take?
Processing depends on the body and how fast your institution responds with transcripts. Delays usually come from document verification, so start early.
Is an ECA required for Canadian Experience Class?
Not for the Canadian Experience Class, but a Canadian credential or an ECA is needed to claim points for foreign education.
How long is an ECA valid?
IRCC accepts an ECA report for five years from the date it was issued.
Does an ECA guarantee a job or visa?
No. It only confirms the equivalence of your education. Invitations and approvals are decided by IRCC and provinces.
Visatrix Global Services is an advisory firm. Assessing bodies, free zones and licensing authorities set their own rules, fees and timelines, which change from time to time, and only they decide the outcome. Always confirm current requirements on the official website before you apply.
Get Your ECA Right the First Time
Speak with an advisor before you pay any body, so you pick the right one and avoid repeat applications.