Guide
ECA explained
What is an ECA and do I need one?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) verifies that a credential earned outside Canada is comparable to a Canadian one. Most federal skilled streams require it for foreign education, while education earned in Canada does not need one.
What an ECA is
An ECA is a report from a designated organization confirming how a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate compares to a Canadian equivalent. It gives programs a consistent basis for counting education that was earned elsewhere.
When you need one
If your education was completed outside Canada, most federal skilled streams expect an ECA before that education can count. Education earned in Canada generally does not require one. When you are unsure, treat it as likely needed and confirm.
How to get one
You request an assessment from an organization designated for this purpose, submit your credentials, and receive a report. Because processing takes time, it is worth starting early rather than waiting until the rest of your profile is ready.
Keep it current
Designated organizations, fees, and timelines change, so confirm the current list and requirements with official sources before ordering. The assessment flags an ECA as a gap when your profile suggests you will need one.
Related
Put this into practice
Run the free assessment to see your likely NOC, matching programs, and profile gaps in one place.