Processing time
ECA assessments take about 25 business days
Employment and Education assessments take about 20 business days
All processing times start once an application is at the “In line for processing status” in the IQAS portal. Read more about processing time.
Assessment type
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) assessments do not list the Language of Instruction.
Table 1. Information on Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) certificate
Assessment type | Assessment certificate |
---|---|
ECA | It indicates:
|
Requirements for certain professions
How to apply
Step 1. Decide which credentials you want 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 how IQAS completes assessments.
Credentials you need assessed
For an ECA, only your highest completed or awarded educational credential needs to be assessed. 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 2. Gather your documents
- Applicants must follow the document process outlined below and ensure their application package is complete. An incomplete application package will impact processing time and can result in cancellation of the application.
- The following documents must be uploaded in the IQAS application portal using a clear and legible scan or digital photo:
- passport, identity pages or alternative government-issued identification (if passport is unavailable)
- proof of name change (if applicable)
- needed only if your current name is different than the name on the educational documents
- can be a photocopy of a marriage certificate, record of landing, passport, etc.
- does not need to be a certified or notarized copy
- the awarded educational credential you want assessed (example: Bachelor’s degree)
- When submitting your online application, upload all required documents in the ‘Document Checklist’ section. Name your uploads clearly and ensure you match the upload to the applicable document on the checklist. If you do not upload a required document, you will be contacted when the application is reviewed.
- For Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, upload a clear scan or photo of the PhD degree and cover page of the thesis if applicable
Step 3. 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 because not all the methods below are available for all countries.
Transcripts can be provided using one of the following methods:
Step 4. Apply using the online application and pay fees
Application fees
- $260
This application fee is for one credential. Each additional credential submitted with the application costs $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.
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.
Submit the application
- Complete and submit the online application using the IQAS application portal. IQAS offers different assessments. You must select ‘Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)’ on the ‘Confirm your reason for assessment’ page as assessments for employment, education or licensure cannot be used to apply for immigration to Canada. Be sure you request the correct assessment and submit the correct fees as all IQAS fees are non-refundable.
- Make sure your application is complete. Follow the instructions in Steps 2 and 3 above.
- While filling in the online form, you will be asked to pay the application fees.
- Payment options include:
- Visa, MasterCard
- American Express
- Debit
- ECA application and courier fees are non-refundable.
- Payment options include:
- 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.
- 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
- containing your payment receipt
- 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.
After you apply
Your ECA is valid for Express Entry purposes for 5 years from the date it was issued.
Reassessment process
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your assessment, you may submit a request for reassessment. All requests for reassessment cost $200.
For more information, see IQAS reassessment process.
Processing time
What affects processing time
- Processing time starts when all required documents are provided to IQAS and your application is at the 'In line for processing' status in the IQAS application portal.
- If your application is at the ‘Pending’ status for additional documents in the IQAS application portal, IQAS will hold the application for 6 months after which it will be reviewed for cancellation.
- On average, an assessment takes about 25 business days to process once an application is at the ‘In line for processing status’ in the IQAS application portal. Note, processing times are estimates and not guaranteed. They may change based on the number of applications received. IQAS receives a high volume of applications.
- Assessment of applications that require extensive research take longer than the average processing time.
- IQAS does not expedite ECA applications. Applications are processed in the order they are received once all required documents are provided to IQAS.
- 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. 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, log in and create a portal account.
- If you applied after November 26, 2018, log in using your username.
You will see the following statuses in the portal:
Status | What it means |
---|---|
Draft | Fill out and submit application |
Payment pending | Your online payment was not successful, or you did not make a payment |
Submitted | You completed an online application and made online payment |
Received | Your online application has been reviewed for completeness |
Pending | IQAS is waiting for transcripts/other documents, or delivered transcripts/documents were not processed yet |
In line for processing | All documents needed to start your assessment have been received |
Assessing | Your credentials are being assessed |
On-Hold | Your assessment cannot be completed until IQAS receives and logs additional documents, confirmation from educational institution etc. |
Final Review | Your credential(s) have been assessed and assessment is undergoing final quality review |
Mailed | Your assessment was mailed to you and an electronic copy is available in the IQAS application portal |
Cancellation pending | You requested a cancellation and it is waiting to be processed |
Cancelled | Your application was cancelled following your request or because an assessment could not be completed |
Contact
Connect with the International Qualifications Assessment Service: