If you're applying through Express Entry, you'll almost certainly need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). It proves that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian credential — and without it, IRCC won't count your education toward your CRS score.
The most popular ECA provider is World Education Services (WES). This guide walks you through the entire process, from creating your WES account to receiving your report.
What is an ECA and why do you need it?
An Educational Credential Assessment is a report from a designated organization confirming your foreign education is valid and equivalent to a completed credential in Canada. IRCC requires it for:
- Express Entry applications — Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades
- Some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — many PNP streams require an ECA as part of their eligibility criteria
- CRS scoring — your education level directly affects your Comprehensive Ranking System score
Without an ECA, your education is worth zero CRS points. For most applicants, that's a difference of 100–150 points — often the difference between receiving an ITA and not.
Start your ECA process before you create your Express Entry profile. The entire process — from application to receiving your report — typically takes 2–3 months when you factor in document delivery from your institution.
Why WES is the most popular choice
IRCC accepts ECAs from several designated organizations, but WES handles the majority of applications for good reason:
| Provider | Processing Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WES | 20 business days | $220 CAD | Most countries — fastest standard processing |
| WES Express | 3–5 business days | $330 CAD | Urgent applications |
| IQAS | 12–20 weeks | $200 CAD | Alberta PNP applicants |
| ICAS | 15–20 weeks | $200 CAD | General alternative |
| MCC | 12 weeks | Varies | Medical professionals |
WES processes credentials from the widest range of countries and has the fastest turnaround. Their online tracker also makes it easy to monitor your application status.
Step-by-step: getting your WES ECA
Step 1: Create your WES account
Go to the WES website and create an account. When selecting your application type, choose "WES Standard Application" and "ECA Application for IRCC" as your purpose.
This is critical — a standard WES evaluation (used for employment or university admission) is not the same as an IRCC ECA. If you choose the wrong type, you'll need to start over.
You'll receive a WES reference number after creating your account. Save this — your institution will need it when sending documents.
Step 2: Request documents from your institution
WES requires documents sent directly from your educational institution — documents sent by you (the applicant) will be rejected. This is the most common cause of delays.
The specific requirements vary by country:
India:
- Sealed transcripts (mark sheets for all years) from your university
- Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
- Documents must be sent through the WES-approved process for Indian institutions
Philippines:
- Transcript of Records (TOR)
- Copy of diploma
- Both must be sent directly by your school's registrar to WES
Nigeria:
- Official transcript sent by the institution
- Degree certificate (attested copy)
- Academic verification from your institution
China:
- Verification through CHESICC (China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center)
- CHESICC sends verification directly to WES on your behalf
- You cannot send Chinese credentials directly
Pakistan:
- Attested degree and transcripts
- Sent through HEC (Higher Education Commission) attestation process
Documents sent by you (the applicant) are not accepted. They must come directly from the issuing institution or through an approved intermediary like CHESICC (China) or HEC (Pakistan). This is the single most common reason for WES application delays and rejections.
Step 3: Pay the WES fee
Pay online through your WES account. The current fee structure:
- ECA application fee: $220 CAD
- Document delivery (courier within Canada): $20 CAD
- International courier (if you need the physical report): $85 CAD
- WES Express (rush processing in 3-5 days): additional $110 CAD
Most applicants only need the digital report, which is delivered to your WES account and can be shared with IRCC electronically.
Step 4: Track your application
Once WES receives your documents, you can track progress through your WES account dashboard. The status will show:
- In Progress — WES has received your application but not all documents
- Documents Received — all required documents are in hand
- In Review — your credentials are being evaluated
- Completed — your ECA report is ready
Standard processing takes approximately 20 business days after WES confirms receipt of all documents. Express processing (additional $110) reduces this to 3–5 business days. While you wait, you can check current IRCC processing times for the immigration programs you're targeting.
Step 5: Receive your report
Your ECA report will show:
- Your Canadian education equivalent (e.g., "Four-Year Bachelor's Degree")
- The institution and program you attended
- A WES reference number you'll enter in your Express Entry profile
The report is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. After that, you'll need a new ECA.
How your ECA affects your CRS score
Your Canadian education equivalent determines your CRS education points:
| Canadian Equivalent | CRS Points (single) | CRS Points (with spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | 150 | 140 |
| Master's or professional degree | 135 | 126 |
| Two or more credentials (one 3+ years) | 128 | 119 |
| Bachelor's degree (3+ years) | 120 | 112 |
| One- or two-year diploma/certificate | 90 | 84 |
| High school diploma | 30 | 28 |
Education also generates cross-factor points when combined with strong language scores or Canadian work experience, adding up to 50+ additional CRS points. To maximize those cross-factor points, make sure your language test results are as strong as possible — see our IELTS vs CELPIP comparison to pick the right test.
After receiving your ECA, use the Imminorth CRS Calculator to see your exact score with your education level. Even a difference between "one-year diploma" and "three-year bachelor's" can mean 30+ CRS points.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the wrong evaluation type — select "ECA for IRCC," not a general WES evaluation
- Sending documents yourself — they must come directly from your institution
- Letting your ECA expire — ECAs are valid for 5 years; check the date before submitting your Express Entry profile
- Not starting early enough — factor in 4–12 weeks for your institution to process and mail documents, plus 20 business days for WES
- Wrong institution contact — verify you're contacting the correct registrar, examination board, or intermediary (like CHESICC for China)
- Not ordering extra copies — if you're also applying for PNPs, you may need additional copies of your ECA report
What to do after you receive your ECA
- Note the Canadian equivalent — this determines your education points
- Create or update your Express Entry profile — enter the WES reference number and Canadian equivalent
- Calculate your CRS score — use the Imminorth CRS Calculator to see your updated score
- Check recent draw cutoffs — see if your score is competitive in the Express Entry draw tracker
- Store the ECA safely — you'll need the reference number when you submit your PR application after receiving an ITA