Different ECA bodies to Apply for Canada Skilled Worker Visa
- October 6, 2017
- Posted by: visasabroad
- Category: Canada Visa
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) body evaluates an applicant’s qualification against the Canadian education standards. If you are looking to assess your academic achievements for the Canada Skilled Worker Visa, you might be asked to get your evaluation done from a respective body. Here we list the bodies that conduct evaluations concerning a specific occupation profile.
World Education Services (WES)
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) World Education Services (WES) provides Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for educational certifications earned outside of Canada. The IRCC requires immigrants to process their ECA before applying for any immigration programs. WES not only provides evaluations for aspiring immigrants but also for international students willing to pursue further education in Canada.
About 2,00,000 credentials are evaluated every year by WES. This is why WES is renowned as the most significant educational credential assessment body in North America and Canada. A positive ECA enables employers, professional licensing boards, and academic institutions to make informed decisions regarding a foreign candidate.
The proprietary database of WES contains 20,000 academic credentials from 200 different countries and 45,000 foreign institutions.
Here is complete information about WES: Everything You Need to Know About WES Educational Credential Evaluation.
International Credential Assessment Services of Canada (ICAS)
Similar to the WES, as mentioned earlier, the ICAS also conducts educational credential assessments for academic achievements achieved outside of Canada.
The Assessment Reports prepared by ICAS describe the education pursued outside Canada and how it compares to Ontario and Canadian standards. In ICAS, a candidate’s secondary and postsecondary educational achievements are taken into consideration.
An ICAS Assess Report will only be able to form a positive report if:
- A Candidate is living in Canada but has pursued all or some of their education abroad.
- The candidate is not a Canadian citizen but decides to pursue education or work in Canada.
- A candidate is looking to immigrate to Canada.
- Any candidate living in Canada and planning to work in the USA under the TN Visa.
- A candidate has pursued education from any province of Canada but requires an Ontario qualification for studying or employment.
- A candidate is living in Canada but is seeking education in another country.
ECA for College Applications
If a candidate is applying to a college in Ontario, the particular college may require the candidate to undergo an education assessment. ICAS can also send the electronic copy of the assessed report to the respective college(s).
ECA for Immigration
When immigrating to Canada, candidates can undergo the ICAS assessment. The Assessment Report can be used for seeking employment or further education.
The ICAS Assessment Report will help a candidate understand how the education he completed compares to the Canadian education standards.
Comparative Education Service (CES)
The Comparative Education Service also provides educational assessments to candidates. The Assessment Report generated by the Comparative Education Service can also be used for the Federal Skilled Worker Visa, the Federal Skills Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program.
The IRCC accepts the evaluation reports for immigrants, which can then help employers and educational institutions to consider the candidate.
The CICIC recognises CES and is a member of the Alliance of Credential Assessment Services of Canada. CES is the only university-based academic assessment agency. CES reports are duly considered by the Government of Canada, CICIC, Employers, Immigration agencies, etc.
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) is an Alberta-based government service. IQAS is a service designated by the government of Canada to provide an ECA for immigration.
An ECA issued through IQAS can be used for the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program. People seeking immigration to Canada can apply for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). If a candidate holds a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate, they do not need to apply for the IQAS credential.
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
The ICES is the education credential evaluation service designated by CIC for immigration purposes. Although ICES evaluates certain educational areas, there are still specific educational areas that ICES does not cover.
The ICES does not cover trade qualification, military training, second language training, professional licensing, apprenticeships, and non-recognised institutions.
Official documents for the assessment require the candidate to submit their degree and mark sheet transcript.
Medical Council of Canada
Candidates who have completed their medical studies generally get their educational credentials evaluated by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC). Candidates are required to have their medical degree or diploma source verified.
With a verified medical degree or diploma, a candidate can request an ECA report.
The Medical ECA report typically takes 21 business days for processing. After the application is processed, the candidate will receive a message on their physiciansapply.ca account. The candidate can obtain a hard copy of the report after eight weeks.
Mentioned below is a Table that states the details about educational credential assessment bodies
| Assessing Body | Web Address | Fee in CAD | Assessment Time | Assessed | Assessment Applicable |
| World Education Society (WES) | http://www.wes.org/ | Fees-$200 Courier Charges-$85 Tax:$37 | 25 Business Days | Immigrants/Students | Everybody |
| Comparative Education Service (CES) | http://www.learn.utoronto.ca/ces | Fees-$210 Courier Charges-$25 | 14 Weeks | Immigrants/Students | Everybody |
| International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS) | http://www.icascanada.ca/fsw | Fees-$200 Courier Charges –$85 | 12 Weeks | Immigrants/Students | Everybody |
| International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) | http://www.alberta.ca/iqas-immigration.aspx | Fees-$200 Courier Charges- $75 | 12 Weeks | Immigrants/Students | Everybody |
| International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) | http://www.bcit.ca/ices/eca/ | Fees-$200 Courier Charges –$75 | 8 Weeks | Immigrants/Students | Everybody |
| Medical Council of Canada (MCC) | Candidates from the Medical Field | Part 1- $1820 | 14 Days | Medical Practitioners Only | Candidates from Medical Field |
