Diploma certification for immigration to Canada
The ECA process is essential for immigration, job hunting, and sometimes for studying. Find out where and how to get your diploma evaluated.
Here's the English translation, adapted for natural flow and clarity:
To have your diploma recognized in Canada, you must go through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This process is also known as diploma evaluation or assessment for Canada.
An ECA compares your degree, certificate, or other higher education document to Canadian education standards. It considers subject names and study duration for each course. The result shows the Canadian equivalent of your education.
Why You Need an Educational Assessment
- A verified diploma is necessary if you plan to immigrate to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Without an ECA, Canada won't accept your application, and you can't register for the program.
- For immigration through Provincial Nominee Programs. In most cases, you'll need to provide an education assessment document for immigration.
- Some programs, like the federal programs for skilled trades and Canadian work experience, don't require an education assessment. However, it's useful for earning extra points for your education or your spouse's education.
- When job hunting or applying to Canadian universities, you'll likely need to go through an education assessment process.
Note: If you have a Canadian education diploma, you don't need to have it assessed.
Where to Get a Diploma Assessment
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only accepts ECAs from accredited organizations. If you get your education document verified by another company, it won't be accepted.
Foreign education is mainly assessed by these companies:
- World Education Services (WES)
- Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), BCIT
Exceptions are made for medical specialists, general practitioners, family doctors, and pharmacists. They must get their diploma verified by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).
For pharmacists, the organization where you need to get your ECA report depends on your specific work. If your job requires a license (e.g., working in a hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, or long-term care facility), you need to get an ECA through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).
If a license isn't required, you can use any other accredited organization from the list above. This applies to work in government or the pharmaceutical industry.
You can contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live to check if you need a license to work.
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Also, from October 31, 2024, architects with the primary occupation NOC 21200 must have their education verified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). If you already have an ECA from another accredited organization issued before October 31, 2024, and it's still valid, it will also be accepted.
How to Get an ECA: Step-by-Step Process
- Choose an accredited organization from the list below.
- Register on their official website and pay for the service.
- Prepare copies of your education documents and translations (if required).
- Send documents by mail or online, depending on the organization's requirements.
- Wait for the assessment to be completed within the specified timeframe.
- Receive your ECA report and include its number in your Express Entry profile.
Cost and Timeframes for Diploma Verification
Each organization sets its own price for education credential assessment. For easy comparison, here's the current information as of 2025 in Canadian dollars:
| Organization | Cost | Timeframe | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| WES | $256 + HST + shipping | ~30 business days | Most popular and fastest option, recommended by IRCC |
| IQAS | $220–260 + shipping ($25–90) | ~25 business days | Consistent timeframes, suitable if WES is unavailable |
| ICAS | ~$240 + shipping ($35–85) | 4–8 weeks | Suitable for complex cases |
| CES | ~$210–250 | 4–8 weeks | May require originals |
| ICES (BCIT) | ~$200–250 | 4–8 weeks | International Credential Evaluation Service, convenient for British Columbia residents |
| MCC (doctors) | from $300+ | 3–6 months | Only for medical specialists |
| PEBC (pharmacists) | from $700+ | 3–6 months | Only for licensed practice |
| CACB (architects) | ~$385 | ~12 weeks | Only for architects (NOC 21200) |
If you're a family doctor, medical specialist, or pharmacist, the cost will be significantly higher. You'll need to contact the professional organization (Medical Council of Canada for doctors or Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada for pharmacists) that regulates your profession to find out the exact cost and processing times.
It's best to start the diploma verification process early, especially if you choose organizations with longer processing times. Also, remember that your spouse's or partner's ECA can add extra points to your Express Entry profile, even if their ECA isn't a mandatory requirement.
Important: The same ECA report can be used for all federal and provincial immigration programs if issued by an accredited organization. You don't need to obtain it again as long as the document is valid.
Important: An ECA is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. If it expires, you need to go through the assessment process again.
Official Organization Links
For ECA applications, only use the official websites of accredited organizations.
- WES Canada — World Education Services
- IQAS — International Qualifications Assessment Service
- ICAS — International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- CES — University of Toronto Comparative Education Service
- ICES (BCIT) — International Credential Evaluation Service
- MCC — Medical Council of Canada (for doctors)
- PEBC — Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (for pharmacists)
- CACB — Canadian Architectural Certification Board
Our Services
If you're having trouble getting your diplomas certified for immigration, you can contact us for help. Our immigration company has extensive experience in this area.
