Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Statutory definition
IRPR s 75(2)(b)(ii) requires applicants claiming foreign education credentials to provide an ECA from a designated organisation. Designated organisations include World Education Services (WES), International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS), Comparative Education Service (CES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), and several profession-specific bodies. The ECA must be current (obtained within the applicable validity period for the program).
Explanation
The ECA is a critical document for Express Entry and many PNP applications. Without a valid ECA, a foreign degree cannot be claimed for CRS education points. Processing times vary by organisation — WES typically takes 7–14 days for standard processing. Applicants should obtain an ECA early in the process and should check whether the relevant PNP also requires an ECA or accepts self-declaration for certain credentials. Medical and legal credentials require assessment by profession-specific regulatory bodies in most provinces.