Follow these steps and save money

If you’ve made the decision to immigrate to Canada, the next critical step is gathering the essential documents required to create your profile in the Express Entry System. Among these documents, the Canadian government mandates an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for individuals whose educational certificates, diplomas, or degrees were obtained from institutions outside Canada.

The purpose of the ECA is to verify that your level of education matches that of a Canadian institution. Therefore, before applying for an immigration visa, it’s crucial to confirm the equivalency of your education, and this is where the ECA report comes into play.

Do You Need an ECA Report? It’s important to determine whether you require an ECA report. If you’re applying under the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades immigration programs within the Express Entry System, an ECA report is mandatory. However, if you’re applying through the Canadian Experience Class program or have prior Canadian work experience, an ECA report may not be necessary.

Choosing the Right ECA Organization: The Canadian government has authorized six organizations to issue ECA reports, including:

• World Education Services
• International Qualifications Assessment Service
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto
• Medical Council of Canada (for Doctors)
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (for pharmacists)

While you have the option to choose any of these organizations, World Education Services (WES) is a popular choice among immigrants due to its straightforward process and shorter processing times.

Saving on Your ECA Report from WES: Obtaining an ECA report can be costly, especially given the overall expenses of the immigration process. Here are some cost-saving strategies:

Consultation Before Submission: It’s advisable not to send your documents directly to WES without prior consultation. Sometimes, an ECA report may turn out unfavorable, resulting in wasted money. Therefore, consider having your documents evaluated by your educational institution before submitting them to WES.

Select the Correct Application: When creating an online account on the WES website, make sure to choose the correct application type:

WES Standard Application, or

ECA Application for IRCC Opting for the second option can reduce your fees and ensure that your ECA report is sent to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Choose Standard Shipping: You’ll be given the choice of two delivery options:

• Standard Mail via Canada Post – $7
• International Courier – $85

To save a significant amount, select Standard Mail Shipping. You’ll receive a PDF version of your ECA report, which suffices for the Express Entry System.

Evaluate All Degrees in a Single Application: If you possess multiple degrees requiring evaluation, consider consolidating them in a single WES account to save money. WES charges per application, not per degree.

Skip Additional Recipients: Your ECA report copy automatically goes to IRCC after evaluation. You needn’t send it to other recipients. If necessary, you can send the PDF version in the future.

Spouse’s ECA Report: For the Federal Skilled Worker program, an ECA report for the spouse isn’t mandatory. However, if submitted, it adds only 10 points to the CRS score. You can apply without your spouse’s ECA report and obtain it later if needed for additional points.

Helpful Immigration Advice:

Couples often grapple with deciding the principal applicant when applying for Canadian immigration. If you’re unsure, seek professional guidance to address your queries. Feel free to fill out our online assessment form, and one of our immigration specialists will contact you to discuss your eligibility and answer your questions.

In summary, these straightforward tips can help you save on your Educational Credentials Assessment when submitting it to World Education Services as part of your Express Entry profile. If you’re still uncertain about the need for an ECA report or have questions, don’t hesitate to fill out our online assessment form. Our experts are here to guide you on your journey to Canadian immigration.”

If you want to discuss your case with our Immigration Expert, click here to book your appointment.