Last Updated:September 15, 2026
Supervised by Yuki Shiraishi (Immigration Consultant)
What Is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
Education is one of the key assessment criteria in Canadian permanent residence applications. In particular, if you completed education beyond high school outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove which level of the Canadian education system your education is equivalent to. For example, an ECA assesses whether a bachelor’s degree (graduation from a 4-year university) earned at a Japanese university is recognized as an equivalent credential in Canada.
Credential Assessment Leads to Permanent Residence
When applying for permanent residence, education is considered together with work experience, age and language ability, and affects your permanent residence application score. To use it for a permanent residence application, you must submit your ECA results together with proof of graduation. An ECA can be obtained from a specialized organization designated by IRCC, and it can also be an advantage when looking for work in Canada.
For people with two or more degrees, an assessment of the highest level of education alone is usually enough, but assessing multiple degrees may earn additional points in some cases.
PR Categories Where a Credential Assessment Adds Points
IRCC-Designated ECA Organizations
| IRCC-designated professional bodies | |
|---|---|
| Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) |
For those working in positions that require an architect licence in Canada |
| Medical Council of Canada (MCC) |
For those working in the following occupations: |
| Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) |
For those working in the following occupations: |
ECA Application Process
01Create an account
Create an online account on the website of an IRCC-designated organization.
02Apply for an ECA
Check the documents required for the application and upload them to your online account.
03Pay the ECA fee
Pay the assessment fee through your online account. Fees vary by organization.
04Receive your ECA results
Your assessment results will be available in your online account.
Immigration Consultant
Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, she worked for six years in New York as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency, while also studying in an MBA program at the City University of New York. After returning to Japan, she managed the visa center of the same travel company, handling various international visa applications for foreign clients.
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