Canadian Immigrants require only the highest degree for ECA

Canadian immigration candidates have to submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in their immigration applications. This document is used to verify that their foreign education certificates, degrees, and diplomas are equivalent to Canadian academic degrees. One of the organizations that provide an ECA document is World Education Services. WES is certified by IRCC and it is widely used by Canadian immigration candidates. For an ECA, candidates submit all their academic credentials. So, it prolongs the process of obtaining an ECA and thus the immigration process becomes slow. Therefore, the WES has recently announced that candidates should submit the credentials of their highest degree only. For example, if a candidate has completed his or her master’s degree, he or she is not required to submit credentials of the bachelor’s degree. And if a candidate has a Ph.D., he or she needs an ECA only for the Ph.D. degree. Also, individuals who have received their degrees from Canadian universities or colleges are not required to get ECAs.

Immigration applicants from India

Some of the immigration applicants from India are required to submit all additional credentials. Individuals who send their postgraduate diploma or master’s degree for assessment must send their credentials for a bachelor’s degree as well. However, there are certain exceptions such as people with a Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, Master of Education, or Master of Philosophy do not need to send a bachelor’s degree for an ECA.

ECA required for Express Entry Applicants

Candidates who apply for Canadian immigration through Express Entry need to submit an assessment of their academic credentials. Individuals need Education Credential Assessment if they apply under the Federal Skilled Workers program. Also, an ECA is required if they want to claim points in the Comprehensive Ranking System score.