ECAs allow Canadian immigration officials and future employers see how foreign education compares to Canadian education
Most people who apply for Canadian immigration need to submit a document verifying that their foreign degrees, diplomas, and certificates have
This document is called an Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA for short. One of the providers who is certified by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to handle ECAs, WES, recently announced that immigration applicants only need to submit their highest completed credential.
WES discourages clients to submit any additional credentials for assessment, as it will slow down the process. Also, ECAs are not needed for Canadian credentials.
As of November 2020, those who have a PhD do not need to submit a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree to be assessed. The same goes for those who have a master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
The instructions are a little different for those who went to school in a francophone country, and there may be some outliers who will have to send in additional credentials. Maîtrise, Master, Diplôme d’Ingénieur,
ECAs submitted for immigration purposes must not be more than five years old when applicants submit their Express Entry profile, or apply for permanent residence.
