ECA Explained: Getting Your Foreign Education Recognized in Canada.
Published on January 20, 2026
CanImmi - Canada Immigration Utility
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Demystified
An ECA is required to prove that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian one. Without it, you cannot claim points for your education.
How to Get Your ECA
- Choose an Assessment Body: WES is the most popular, but others like ICAS, IQAS, or ICES may be better for certain countries or professional degrees.
- Verify Requirements: Each body has different rules. Some require transcripts sent directly from your university, while others accept digital uploads.
- Check for Professional Orgs: If you are a doctor (MCC) or a pharmacist (PEBC), you must use your specific professional body for the assessment.
- Wait Times: ECA processing can take anywhere from 3 weeks to several months. Start this process as early as possible.
📝 Note
You only need to assess your highest degree unless you are claiming points for 'Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees'.