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2. Getting your Educational Credential Assessment
If your diploma or degree is not from Canada, you need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide > Express Entry: Step-by-Step Guide > 2. Getting your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
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An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to check the Canadian equivalency of a foreign degree, diploma or certificate. For example, an ECA will determine if an applicant’s foreign Master’s degree is of the same standard when compared to a Canadian Master’s degree. If your credential is awarded in Canada by a Canadian educational body, you do need to provide an ECA.
For the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you do not need a minimum education level to qualify for Express Entry. However, you can still get CRS points for any secondary education you've had outside Canada (if you apply for the ECA for your diploma).
For the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you do not need a minimum education level to qualify for Express Entry. However, you can still get CRS points for any secondary education you've had outside Canada (if you apply for the ECA for your diploma).
List of IRCC Designated Organizations
There are seven designated organizations for ECAs:
Keep in mind that ECA report must be issued on or after the date IRCC designated the organization.
Most applicants will be able to get their ECA done by selecting one of the first 5 designated organizations from the list above.
If you are a Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101), or General practitioner/family physician (NOC 31102), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) must do the ECA for your primary medical diploma.
If you are a pharmacist (NOC 31120) and need a license to practice (for example, providing patient care in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) must do your ECA.
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICASC, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- World Education Services (WES, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS, Date designated: August 6, 2015).
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES, Date designated: August 6, 2015).
- Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors) (MCC, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for Pharmacists) (PEBC, Date designated: January 6, 2014).
Keep in mind that ECA report must be issued on or after the date IRCC designated the organization.
Most applicants will be able to get their ECA done by selecting one of the first 5 designated organizations from the list above.
If you are a Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101), or General practitioner/family physician (NOC 31102), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) must do the ECA for your primary medical diploma.
If you are a pharmacist (NOC 31120) and need a license to practice (for example, providing patient care in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) must do your ECA.
ECA validity period
An ECA is valid for a period of 5 years from the date it is issued. To be accepted by IRCC, the ECA must not be more than five years old on the date that IRCC gets (i) your Express Entry profile, and (ii) your application for permanent residence.
Comparative table of the 5 designated organizations
The table below presents a comparison between 5 designated organisations that issue an ECA for most certificates/degrees/diplomas. MCC and PEBC have not been included since there is no other option than to use them when you are a specialist physician/general practitioner/family physician/pharmacist.
The price includes all the credentials you want to add (except for CES, which is the price per credential). Include all your credentials, so as not to pay an additional fee and waste time if you want to assess another credential later.
Last updated: May 21, 2023
The price includes all the credentials you want to add (except for CES, which is the price per credential). Include all your credentials, so as not to pay an additional fee and waste time if you want to assess another credential later.
Last updated: May 21, 2023
| CES University of Toronto | ICAS Canada | WES | IQAS | ICES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (excl. taxes) | $210 | $210 | $240 | $200 | $200 |
| Processing time | 7 weeks | 30 weeks | 6 weeks | 14 weeks | 20 weeks |
| Canada Delivery (excl. taxes) | Standard: N.A. Courier: 35$ | Standard: 5$ Courier: 35$ | Standard: $11 Courier: 26$ | Standard: N.A. Courier: 15$ | Standard: N.A. Courier: 26$ |
| International Delivery (excl. taxes) | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $80 | Standard: 10$ Courier USA: $35 Courier: $80 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $89 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $75 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $75 |
The obvious choice here is WES being the quickest of them all, and not that more expensive than the other providers.
The processing time is approximative and begin once a complete application is received. Processing times can also depend on the volume of application received (for IQAS, the processing time is for one credential only, it will take at least another 4 weeks for requests with more than 1 credential).
We recommend using WES, below is a guide for getting your ECA from them, and some few tips.
Applying for an ECA through WES
Be always careful that you are in the Canadian WES website, as there's a U.S. one as well. You can check that on the top right corner of the WES page.
Step 1. Use their Free Degree Equivalency Tool
With WES, you have an option to use the Free WES Degree Equivalency Tool before you create an account. This will give you an idea of what your ECA results "may be", this is in no way a replacement for an ECA.
The tool is simple to use and requires only the following information: name, country of residence, e-mail, country of education, name of Degree/Diploma, numbers of years of study. Then you can search for your institution. If you don't find your institution, research again but without typing anything the box, you will get the list of all institutions and look again (sometimes, there can be spelling problems with some languages such as Arabic).
If you still don't find your school, you can still apply through WES.
The tool is simple to use and requires only the following information: name, country of residence, e-mail, country of education, name of Degree/Diploma, numbers of years of study. Then you can search for your institution. If you don't find your institution, research again but without typing anything the box, you will get the list of all institutions and look again (sometimes, there can be spelling problems with some languages such as Arabic).
If you still don't find your school, you can still apply through WES.
Step 2. Understand the required documents, that depends on your country of education
You have to go to this page. Choose your country and type of education (secondary education is high school and higher education is post high school). You then have to choose which type of high school diploma you got (French, Spanish, British, ... ).
Depending on your answers, you will get the documents you will have to provide. If you have a higher education diploma, the documents you will be asked to provide are:
Although it is NOT required, you can add this form. It has to be signed by you and your institution and can help you request your documents. It has to be included in the sealed envelope and must also include the WES number that you get when you register and pay your fees (see step 3).
Depending on your answers, you will get the documents you will have to provide. If you have a higher education diploma, the documents you will be asked to provide are:
- A copy (does not need to be certified) of your diploma/degree/certificate (final or provisional).
- An envelope with your academic transcripts for all the years you attended the institution. It does not have to be an official envelope with the name of your institution in front, but has to be either stamped or signed across the back flap by an appropriate official at your institution. You can then either ask your institution to send your sealed or signed envelope directly to WES, or send it yourself (you can send it with your other documents in one delivery).
- If you diploma/degree/certificate and/or your academic transcripts are not in French or English, you will need to provide in addition (do not just send the translation, send the foreign language documents too) a copy of a word-for-word French or English translation, either done by your academic institution or by a certified translation service. Translations do not need to be in the sealed envelope.
- If you are from a set of countries (Morocco, Pakistan, etc.), you will need to add your high school diploma, and high school transcripts in a sealed envelope by the relevant body. You will need to check in the WES required documents page.
- If WES has a partnership with your educational institution, it can provide WES with the academic transcripts electronically. This will speed up the processing of your application. When checking for the required documents using the link provided above, the page will mention the option to request the transcripts electronically if available for your institution.
Although it is NOT required, you can add this form. It has to be signed by you and your institution and can help you request your documents. It has to be included in the sealed envelope and must also include the WES number that you get when you register and pay your fees (see step 3).
Step 3. Create your account and pay your fees
Go here to create your account. After entering your personal information, add your credential data. You can add as many credentials as you want, it will be the same price (however, if you add a credential later on, you will have to pay an additional fee). You will then have to pay the fees, either by credit card, cheque/money order, or Western Union.
Once, you are done you will be getting your WES Reference Number.
Once, you are done you will be getting your WES Reference Number.
Step 4. Gather your required documents
As discussed in step 2, the documents required depend on the country of education. After gathering them and/or have them prepared by your institution, make sure that the address in the mail contains your WES Reference Number (as to avoid any delays).
When sending your documents to WES, use of express courier service is recommended. The last thing you would want is to go through all the process again, if lost in transit. However, if you are not in a hurry, want to save some money and take the risk, you can send it by regular mail (you should check if your postal system is trustworthy).
When sending your documents to WES, use of express courier service is recommended. The last thing you would want is to go through all the process again, if lost in transit. However, if you are not in a hurry, want to save some money and take the risk, you can send it by regular mail (you should check if your postal system is trustworthy).
Step 5. Wait for the review to be completed
WES will review the submitted documents and communicate with you via e-mail when needed. There will be delays if the documents submitted are incorrect or WES needs additional verification.
You can monitor the status of your application in your online WES account. You do not need to worry if your courier says the documents have been delivered, but your WES status does not change as it can take up to 3 weeks from delivery to update your status. Below are the WES evaluation statuses:
You can monitor the status of your application in your online WES account. You do not need to worry if your courier says the documents have been delivered, but your WES status does not change as it can take up to 3 weeks from delivery to update your status. Below are the WES evaluation statuses:
- Waiting for required documents.
- Documents received – Review in Progress.
- Waiting for verification from institution : WES may find it necessary to verify the documents you submitted with the issuing institutions. In such cases, WES will send a copy of your submitted documents to your educational institution and ask them to authenticate the same.
- Completed: you will be able to see your electronic report in your account. You will also be able to track the transit of your ECA report (hard copy) using the tracking IDs provided.
How to interpret your ECA results
An ECA report from WES is provided below. You need to enter the reference number at the top right of your report in your Express Entry application.
ECA sample report from WES
If you are not sure of what your ECA report is saying, you can use the table below.
| ECA Results | Level of education for EE profile |
|---|---|
| Applied Bachelor's Degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Applied Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Associate Degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Associate of [Arts/Science] degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Bachelor of Laws | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Bachelor of Technology degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Bachelor's Degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Bachelor's degree (four years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Bachelor's degree (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Certificate of High School Achievement | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| Certificate of High School Achievement [plus/including] [specialized/vocational/technical] training in X | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| College Certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| College Diploma | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| College Diploma (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| College Diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Completion of College-level certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Diploma (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Doctor of Chiropractic degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Medicine degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Optometry degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Pharmacy | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| Doctor of Podiatry degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Doctor of [name of discipline, such as Business Administration, Law, Psychology] | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| Doctorate (Ph.D.) | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| Earned Doctorate (Ph.D.) | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| Earned Doctorate Degree | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| First Professional Degree in Dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First Professional Degree in Veterinary Medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional degree in Medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional degree in medicine (Doctor of Medicine) | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in chiropractic medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in chiropractic medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in dentistry, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in law | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in law, preceded by [x years] prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in optometry, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in podiatric medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in podiatric medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in veterinary medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| First professional university degree in veterinary medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Five or more years of professional university study in chiropractic medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Five or more years of professional university study in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Five or more years of professional university study in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Five or more years of professional university study in pharmacy | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Five or more years of professional university study in podiatry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Four to five years of professional study in podiatry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Four to seven years of professional study in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Four to seven years of professional study in veterinary medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Four-year Bachelor degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in pharmacy | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Four-year Bachelor's degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Four-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Four-year advanced diploma | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Grade 12 (high school completion) | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| High School Diploma | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| High School Diploma [plus/including] [specialized/vocational/technical] training in X | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| High School Equivalency Certificate | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| Juris Doctor | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Master of Business Administration | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Master of [name of discipline] | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Master's Degree | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Master's Degree (Taught) | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Master's degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level |
| One-year Master degree | University degree at the Master’s level |
| One-year Master of Business Administration degree | University degree at the Master’s level |
| One-year Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level |
| One-year Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| One-year certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| One-year certificate in [name of discipline] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Professional Doctorate Degree | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level |
| Secondary School Diploma | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| Secondary School Graduation | Secondary school (high school diploma) |
| Secondary school diploma and diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three to six years of professional study in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession |
| Three-year Bachelor degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three-year Bachelor's degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three-year advanced diploma | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Applied Bachelor's Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Applied Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor of Technology degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor's Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor's degree (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Completion of College-level certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Diploma (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Dual Bachelor’s degree (four years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor's degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year advanced diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year certificate in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-Bachelor's Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-Bachelor's Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-undergraduate certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-undergraduate diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Postgraduate certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Secondary school diploma and diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor's degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year advanced diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor's degree (four years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year associate degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a University Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a University Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a two-year Bachelor’s after degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a two-year Postgraduate Diploma, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus an Associate Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus an Associate of [Arts/Science] degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees |
| Three-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Two-year associate degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Two-year diploma | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Two-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Two-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| Two-year Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level |
| Undergraduate (1 year) certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
| University certificate or diploma | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
* For a “Professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.
Depending on the results of your ECA, you can claim up to 25 FSW points, and up to 150 CRS points. To know how many points your ECA results will give you (i) under the FSW eligibility 100-point grid, use this link, and (ii) for CRS points, you can use this link.
You can also calculate your overall score using our CRS tool.
You can also calculate your overall score using our CRS tool.
Express Entry Step-by-Step Guide
Click here for the next step, taking your language test(s).
1. Finding your NOC (National Occupational Classification)
To be eligible, you need to first check that you work experience, as defined by the NOC system, is eligible for Express Entry.
Go to step 1.
Go to step 1.
2. Getting your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you credential is not Canadian - YOU ARE HERE
You need to get your foreign educational credential assessed by one of IRCC's approved third parties.
3. Taking your English and/or French language tests
For all the three Express Entry programs, you need to take English and/or French test(s) and score a number of points to be eligible.
Go to Step 3.
Go to Step 3.
4. Checking your eligibility to Express Entry
Check if you eligible to Express Entry under one of the three economic immigration programs.
Go to Step 4.
Go to Step 4.
5. Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
You need next to understand how to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score is the one you will be ranked with in the Express Entry pool.
Go to Step 5.
Go to Step 5.
6. Getting into the Express Entry Pool
After taking your language exam(s), and getting your ECA (if your credential is not Canadian), you need to verify your eligibility through the Come to Canada Tool and then create your Express Entry profile to get into the pool of applicants.
Go to step 6.
Go to step 6.
7. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If you have enough CRS points, you will get an Invitation to Apply. You will have 60 days to fill additional forms and submit your supporting documents.
Go to step 7.
Go to step 7.
8. Your document checklist: Tips and Advice
After receiving you Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will need to upload the requested supporting documents. Get ahead and make sure you will not have a problem gathering them.
Go to step 8.
Go to step 8.
9. From Acknowledgement of Receipt (AoR) to Passeport Request (PPR)
After submitting your documents, learn about the process of approval of your application and the different updates that will let you have an idea on where you application is at.
Go to step 9.
Go to step 9.
10. Preparing your landing in Canada
Check out our before landing and living pages, to learn all about Canada, its biggest cities, its healthcare and education systems, what things to do first when arriving in Canada, etc.
