CanadaIf you studied in India and plan to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, you will hear one question again and again: "Do I need WES?" The short answer is that IRCC asks for an educational credential assessment (ECA), and World Education Services (WES) is only one of several organizations allowed to issue it.
Below: what an ECA is, when Express Entry requires one, when it is optional, which organizations IRCC accepts, how long it stays valid, and where it goes in your profile. All facts were checked on official Government of Canada pages on 22 October 2026. They can change, so check the IRCC pages again before you order an assessment or submit a profile.
What an educational credential assessment is
An ECA is a report that checks whether your foreign degree, diploma or certificate is valid and what it is equal to in Canada. IRCC uses these reports to award selection points, or to decide whether you meet a program's education requirement, when you studied outside Canada.
Two points matter from the start:
- It must be an ECA for immigration purposes. IRCC states: "You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes." If you got another type of ECA (for example, for study or employment), IRCC says you may be able to have it re-issued, depending on the type of ECA and the organization that issued it.
- It is not a licence to work. IRCC notes that an ECA may help when you look for a job, but it does not guarantee a job in your field or a licence to practise a regulated profession. Licensing is handled by the province or territory where you plan to settle.
When Express Entry requires an ECA
IRCC's ECA page says that if you completed your education outside Canada, you need an ECA to:
- be eligible as the principal applicant for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or
- earn points for education you got outside Canada.
Federal Skilled Worker Program: required
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, education is a minimum requirement. IRCC's program page states that if you have foreign education, you must have a completed educational credential and an educational credential assessment for immigration purposes. If you went to school in Canada, you need a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution instead.
Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades: optional, for points
IRCC states that "There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class," and the same for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. You can enter the pool under either program without an ECA.
However, both program pages explain that you can improve your rank in the pool by earning points for education. For foreign education, that means a completed credential and an ECA report for immigration purposes. Without one, your Indian degree earns no education points in your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Your spouse or partner's education
IRCC states: "You can also earn points for your spouse or common-law partner's education, if they are coming with you to Canada." If their education is from outside Canada, it needs its own ECA to count.
Do you need an ECA? A quick table
| Your situation | Do you need an ECA? |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker principal applicant with only foreign (for example, Indian) education | Yes, it is required to be eligible |
| Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades applicant with foreign education | No, but without it you get no points for that education |
| Your highest credential is from a Canadian school | No, IRCC does not assess Canadian credentials |
| You want points for 2 or more foreign credentials | Yes, one assessment for each credential |
| Spouse or partner coming with you, educated outside Canada | Only if you want points for their education |
IRCC's designated organizations
IRCC states that "Most people must use one of these designated organizations." As listed on IRCC's ECA page on 22 October 2026, they are:
- Comparative Education Service, University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service (BCIT)
IRCC also lists designated professional bodies for certain occupations:
- Specialist physicians and general practitioners or family physicians: Medical Council of Canada, for your primary medical diploma
- Pharmacists: Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, if you need a licence to practise
- Architects: Canadian Architectural Certification Board, if you need a licence to practise
For other occupations, IRCC says any of the designated organizations above can do the assessment.
Documents, fees and timelines
IRCC's page says: "Processing times and costs may vary by organization or professional body." IRCC does not publish any organization's fees, processing times or document list. Once you choose an organization, IRCC says it will tell you how to submit your documents. Check that organization's own website for its current document requirements (including how your Indian university must send transcripts, if it requires that), its fees and its timelines.
How long an ECA is valid
IRCC's rule is that your ECA must be less than 5 years old when you:
- complete your Express Entry profile, and
- submit your application.
IRCC warns that if you apply with an expired ECA, your application will be refused. If your assessment will expire before you can apply, IRCC says to contact the organization that issued it.
Which credentials to assess
IRCC states: "In most cases, you only need an assessment for your highest level of education." Two exceptions are worth knowing:
- Two or more credentials. To get points for having 2 or more credentials, you need an assessment for each one. To get full points for more than one credential, at least one must be for a program of 3 or more years. For example, an Indian bachelor's degree plus a master's degree would need two assessments if you want points for both.
- Secondary education. If your post-secondary credential is not equal to a Canadian credential, IRCC says you could get your secondary credential assessed instead.
Where the ECA goes in your Express Entry profile
IRCC states: "You must include your ECA report and the reference number in your Express Entry profile." In practice:
- Enter the results of the assessment and its reference number in the "Study and languages" form of your profile.
- Keep your original documents.
- Be ready to upload copies if you are invited to apply for permanent residence.
Make sure the level of education you claim in the profile matches what the report says your credential is equal to in Canada, not what the credential is called in India.
An ECA only confirms what your education is worth for immigration. It does not decide your application, and nobody can promise the outcome. An IRCC officer assesses every application against all the program rules.
Check your options for free
Not sure which Express Entry program fits you, or whether you should order an ECA now? The site's free eligibility check asks a few short questions and points you to the official requirements that apply to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is WES required for Canada PR?
No. IRCC requires an educational credential assessment from a designated organization, and World Education Services is one of five general designated organizations. Certain medical, pharmacy and architecture occupations use designated professional bodies instead.
Do I need an ECA for the Canadian Experience Class?
No. IRCC states there is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. You only need an ECA if you want CRS points for education you completed outside Canada.
How long is an ECA valid for Express Entry?
IRCC requires the ECA to be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application. An application with an expired ECA will be refused.
Do I need a separate ECA for my bachelor's and master's degrees?
Only if you want points for both. In most cases you only need your highest credential assessed, but to get points for 2 or more credentials you need an assessment for each one.
What documents does an ECA organization need from India?
IRCC does not publish document lists for designated organizations. The organization you choose will tell you how to submit your documents, so check its own website for documents, fees and timelines.
Does a Canadian diploma need an ECA?
No. IRCC states that you do not need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
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Sources
Checked on 22 October 2026. Requirements change, so confirm each one on the official page before you apply.