Assessment for immigration – How to apply

How to apply

Step 1. Fees

Application fees

• $260

This application fee is for one credential. The cost of each additional credential submitted with the application is $100 per credential. 

One credential is defined as one educational program (fully completed) leading to a certificate, diploma or degree and includes the submission of official degree, diploma or certificate and the corresponding academic transcript or marks sheet. 

If more than one credential is submitted, it will take at least 4 weeks longer than average processing times.

Courier fees

• $25 for a Canadian address.
• $90 for an international address.

Fees for more than one applicant

Each applicant must apply separately and pay separate application and courier fees, even if applicants reside at the same household.

Refunds

There are no refunds for application and courier fees. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application and is required whether an assessment certificate is issued or not.

IQAS assessments do not list the Language of Instruction.

Table 1. Information on ECA certificate

Step 2. Exceptions for certain professions

Physicians

If you are applying to immigrate as a Physician or Specialist Physician and intend to get a licence to practice in Canada, your qualifications must be assessed by the Medical Council of Canada.

Pharmacists

If you are applying to immigrate as a Pharmacist and intend to get a licence to practice in Canada, your qualifications must be assessed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.

Regulated professions

In Canada, some occupations are regulated. Regulated occupations have legal requirements or restrictions in place to protect the public. To work in these occupations, in addition to getting an Educational Credential Assessment, later you will need to apply to and be assessed by the appropriate professional regulatory organization in the province or territory that you will settle in.

Step 3. Decide on credentials to be assessed

Credentials IQAS can assess

IQAS assesses completed or awarded formal academic and technical educational credentials from recognized institutions.

• An ECA will not be issued if your credentials cannot be authenticated or are from an educational institution or program that is not recognized. IQAS will let you know that your application has been cancelled.
• An ECA may not result in an outcome you want for an Express Entry application. Your credentials are compared to Canadian education standards, which can be different from those in the country where you were educated.

Find out about institution recognition.

IQAS does not assess:

• incomplete credentials
• anything below secondary or high school level (for example, primary or elementary level)
• non-academic credentials (for example, Microsoft Excel training)
• credentials issued by professional regulatory bodies
• professional qualifications (for example, chartered accountant designation)
• vocational or trades training (for example, diesel mechanics program)
• credentials obtained in Canada

IQAS does not let you know if your credentials/institution will be recognized, or the results of your assessment before you apply. This can only be determined after you apply and an assessment is completed.

Credentials you need assessed

For an ECA, only your highest completed or awarded educational credential needs to be assessed. If you need more than one credential to be assessed, it will take at least 4 weeks longer than average processing times. To understand how points are assigned for education and make an informed decision, visit the Government of Canada website. IQAS does not provide any advice on which credentials you should submit for an assessment.

Step 4. Gather your documents

• Do not send original documents unless required.
• IQAS is not responsible for original documents that are not required and will not return them if submitted and not required.
• IQAS does not return notarized or certified copies of documents or transcripts.
• Prepare clear and readable scans or digital photos to upload with your online application of your identification, proof of name change (if applicable) and all educational credentials (degrees or diplomas) for the education you want to have assessed.
• When submitting your online application, you may upload required documents at the ‘Document Checklist’ section.
  • Please name your uploads clearly and ensure you are matching the upload to the applicable document on the checklist
  • If you forget or do not upload a required document, you will be contacted when the application is reviewed for completeness
• For Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, upload a clear scan or photo of the PhD degree and cover page of the thesis.

Educational documents

• For information on providing specific educational documents, carefully review Country-Specific Document Requirements:
  • if your country is listed, provide the documents indicated based on the credentials you want assessed
  • if your country is not listed, provide the documents as described in Step 5 below

Translations

Translations are required for all non-English educational documents:

• translations for uploaded documents must be also uploaded
• translations need to be completed by a qualified professional translator who does not need to be certified in Canada
• translations do not need to be certified or notarized

Step 5. Provide original or verifiable transcripts

Official transcripts or mark sheets must be provided for all credentials you are asking to be assessed. Follow instructions specific to your country provided in the Country-Specific Document Requirements as not all the below methods are available for all countries.

Transcripts can be provided using one of the following methods:

1. Electronic transcripts: You can use this method if your responsible issuing authority:
   • issues electronic transcripts
   • makes transcripts available online and shareable through secure websites, or
   • offers access to direct electronic verification of your transcripts or studies.
   • Refer to detailed instructions in the Country-Specific Document Requirements provided above.
2. Transcripts mailed by an Issuing Authority: If your responsible issuing authority can mail or courier original transcripts, you and the issuing authority must use the Request of Academic Records Form to prepare and send your original transcripts directly to IQAS. Refer to detailed instructions in the Country-Specific Document Requirements provided above.
   • Transcripts sent by mail or courier must be attested, dated and placed in a sealed envelope that is stamped with the institution’s official seal across the back flap.
3. Transcripts mailed by an Applicant: If your issuing authority cannot mail or courier transcripts directly, you may mail or courier the sealed envelope with your official transcripts to IQAS. Refer to detailed instructions in the Country-Specific Document Requirements provided above.
   • The transcripts must be attested, dated and placed in a sealed envelope that is stamped with the institution’s official seal across the back flap. You cannot open the envelope. You must ensure your file number is clearly marked/identified with your transcript or we may not be able to assess the application.

Mailing address:

International Qualifications Assessment Service
C/O Service Alberta Mailroom – Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5J 4G8

Apply using the online application and pay fees

1. Complete and submit the online application using the IQAS application portal. IQAS offers different assessments. Be sure you request the correct assessment and submit the correct fees, as assessments for employment, education and licensure cannot be used to apply for Immigration to Canada.
2. Make sure your application is complete. The following documents must be uploaded in the portal using clear and legible colour scan or digital photo of all pages of original documents:
   • the completed academic credentials you want to have assessed
   • passport identity pages or alternative government-issued identification (if passport is unavailable)
   • proof of name change (needed only if your current name is different than the name on the educational documents)
   • translations for all non-English documents you are uploading
3. While filling in the online form, you will be asked to pay the application fees.
   • Payment options include:
     • Visa, MasterCard
     • American Express
     • Debit
   • Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) application and courier fees are non-refundable.
4. Do not use an international P.O. Box number as part of your mailing address, because couriers will not deliver to that type of address.
5. After you submit your online application, you will receive:
   • an email from IQAS with your file number (you need this number for your Request of Academic Records form) and a final PDF version of your application, and
   • an email containing your payment receipt (only if you paid online)
6. Print the payment receipt for your records.

You do not need to print, sign, and send your paper application form to IQAS. Applicants sign their form electronically as part of submitting the application.

Start your online application

After you apply

Delivery address

If your mailing address is in Canada, IQAS will mail your documents to a Canada Post Office near you. You will receive a Delivery Notice Card from Canada Post letting you know that your package is available for pick up. Canada Post keeps packages for 15 business days. You will need to collect your package on time and show proper identification.

If your mailing address is outside of Canada, your package will be delivered directly to your address.

Making changes to or cancelling your application

To make or request changes to your application, login to the IQAS application portal:

• if you applied before November 26, 2018, login and create a portal account
• if you applied after November 26, 2018, login using your username

If IQAS needs more information

If IQAS needs any additional documents or information, you will be contacted by email, phone or mail.

If IQAS cannot complete your assessment

If IQAS cannot complete the assessment based on documentation submitted, you may be contacted for further information or your application may be cancelled. IQAS will let you know if your application has been cancelled.

Refunds

Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) application and courier fees are non-refundable. If you cancel your application, IQAS will not provide a refund.

View certificate

If IQAS has reviewed your credentials and issued an assessment, you may also view, download, and print the scanned copy of your certificate in the IQAS application portal. This feature is only accessible once an application is at 'Mailed' status.

To view your certificate:

• After you log into the IQAS application portal, click on 'Check Status or View Application' button on the portal main page.
• On the 'Application History' tab, click on 'View Certificate' button which is under the blue 'Actions' dropdown. You can also click on 'View Status Details' button under the 'Actions' drop down and download your certificate from 'View Status Details' section. Make sure your browser’s pop-up function is turned off and settings allow for pop ups. 

Request a duplicate certificate

• Duplicate certificates are only issued for a previously completed assessment at cost of $30 per copy, plus a $5 courier fee per mailing address.
• To request an additional copy of your IQAS certificate, login to the IQAS application portal:
  • if you applied before November 26, 2018, login and create a portal account
  • if you applied after November 26, 2018, login using your username
• Your ECA is valid for Express Entry purposes for 5 years from the date it was issued.

Reassessment process

Request for reassessment

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your assessment, you may submit a request for reassessment. All requests for reassessment are subject to a fee of $200. The reassessment fee will be automatically refunded only if the reassessment results in a change from the original assessment decision. Other requests for refunds of the reassessment fee will not be considered.

IQAS assessments are based on standard methodology and not on an individual’s pattern of study. Before submitting a request for reassessment in the IQAS application portal, carefully review the information provided on the IQAS website for clarity (for example: IQAS assessment certificates do not include Language of Instruction) and review IQAS International Education Guides (if available for your country of education) for additional information about education systems and credential comparisons. 

Eligibility

You may only submit one request for reassessment per application.

A request for reassessment must:

• be submitted within one year of the date that the original assessment decision was issued
• demonstrate that an error was made in the original assessment decision such as, comparative level of achievement or credentials not assessed by IQAS.
• contain the same academic records that were submitted with your original application. Any new academic records will not be admissible in the reassessment

A request for reassessment cannot be used: 

• to ask for an exception to IQAS assessment criteria 
• to submit new academic records or credentials 
• for concerns related to your assessment certificate, such as spelling errors or incorrect personal information. Please contact IQAS using the IQAS contact form for corrections to your assessment certificate.

To submit your request for reassessment:

• After you log into the IQAS application portal, click on ‘Submit a Reassessment Request’ on the portal main page.
• Fill in the required fields, provide the reason for reassessment and upload the supporting document.  
• Click on ‘Submit’ button and pay the $200 reassessment fee.

During the reassessment process, your application will be reviewed by an IQAS assessor who was not involved in the original decision. All reassessment requests are decided upon based on IQAS policy and guidelines.

An email will be sent explaining the decision on your request for reassessment within 30 business days of the date the reassessment request was received.

Processing time

What affects processing time

• ECA application processing times are affected by a multi-step process.
• Processing time starts when your supporting documents have been provided to IQAS.
• An ECA application with more than one credential will take at least 4 weeks longer than average processing times.
• Assessment of applications that require extensive research takes longer than the average processing time.
• On average, an assessment takes about 8 weeks to process once an application is at In line for processing status in the IQAS application portal. Processing times are not guaranteed and may change based on the number of applications. IQAS receives a high volume of applications.
• IQAS does not expedite ECA applications. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
• Courier or mail delivery time is not included in the processing time.

Status updates on your application

You can track delivery of your mail to IQAS through your courier. Please allow time after your courier delivery for IQAS to update your file status in the IQAS application portal.

Monitor the status of your application in the IQAS application portal:

• if you applied before November 26, 2018, login and create a portal account
• if you applied after November 26, 2018, login here using your username

You will see the following statuses in the portal:

Contact

Connect with the International Qualifications Assessment Service:

Go to the Contact IQAS page