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For Immigration (ECA)

How long will this take?

Processing times

Timelines: Please understand that the information listed under processing time is only an estimate. These dates are subject to change and may be affected by the volume of incoming applications.

The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) has been designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reports for Canadian immigration purposes (Express Entry, Permanent Residency and Agri-Food Pilot).  Many of the Provincial Immigrant Nominee Programs also accept the ECA.  Please refer to the individual province for further details.

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a statement of the general comparability of an international educational credential to a completed Canadian educational credential, in the format that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires.

Minimum assessment requirements

In order for your credential to be assessed by ICES it must first meet the minimum assessment requirements:

  1. Under the guidelines provided by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), ICES will only provide ECA reports for fully completed academic credentials. A certificate, diploma, or degree must have been completed and awarded in order for ICES to be able to provide an evaluation. Provisional documents are not accepted in lieu of final documents.
  2. The credential must be at least comparable to one-year of full-time study.

Licensing bodies not covered by ICES

ICES does not assess all academic accreditations. The following require an assessment from an external licensing body:

  • If you intend to apply as a Physician/Specialist Physician (NOC 3111 or 3112) and plan to pursue licensure you are advised to be assessed by the Medical Council of Canada.
  • Individuals applying as a Pharmacist (NOC 3131) and intending to pursue licensure are advised to have an assessment from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.
  • If you are applying for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, please visit Atlantic Immigration site for further details.
  • For more information about the immigration process related to services offered by ICES please visit Canadian Immigration and Express Entry.

ICES does not evaluate:

  • Trade qualifications
  • Military training
  • Second language training
  • Professional licenses or titles such as a Chartered Accountant
  • Exam based qualifications
  • Apprenticeships
  • Work or life experience
  • Continuing education courses taken at non-recognized institutions
  • Non-credit professional development courses
  • Incomplete or provisional academic credentials

ECA Application steps

There are three steps to completing your online ECA application. Please read through each step before you begin your application:

Step 1: Meet the requirements

To apply, you must meet all of the document requirements. Please review these requirements before you begin your application.

Step 2: Understand the service fees

Make sure you understand the service fees required to apply and receive your evaluation.

Step 2: Service fees

Step 3: Apply online

Reviewed steps 1 & 2? You’re ready to apply.