ECA for Canada

Education Credential Assessment (ECA) is a crucial process for individuals applying for immigration to Canada under certain programs, such as Express Entry. It involves having your educational qualifications evaluated by designated assessing bodies to determine their equivalence to Canadian education standards.

The assessing bodies approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for ECAs include:

Comparative Education Service (CES)

Offered by the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, CES evaluates academic credentials from outside Canada to assess their equivalency to Canadian educational standards.

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

ICAS evaluates educational credentials from outside Canada and provides a General Comprehensive Report that indicates the Canadian equivalency of the completed educational credentials.

World Education Services (WES)

WES evaluates academic credentials from around the world and provides a WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that indicates the Canadian equivalency of the completed educational credentials.

Medical Council of Canada (for physicians)

The Medical Council of Canada assesses the qualifications of internationally trained physicians who wish to practice medicine in Canada.

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (for pharmacists)

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada assesses the qualifications of internationally trained pharmacists who wish to practice in Canada.

These assessing bodies follow rigorous standards and procedures to ensure the accuracy and fairness of their assessments. They consider factors such as the level, content, and duration of study completed to determine how it compares to Canadian educational standards.

For immigration purposes, having a positive ECA report can significantly benefit applicants by demonstrating their educational qualifications in a way that Canadian authorities can understand and accept. It is an important step towards proving eligibility under various immigration programs and pathways in Canada.