Many immigration pathways into Canada, including Express Entry, require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).  

WES is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide ECAs. This blog post reviews some common questions about requirements for receiving an ECA.  

What credentials do I need to send to WES to obtain an ECA? 

In most cases, you will only need to submit your highest completed credential for an ECA. For example, if you have a master’s degree, you will not need to send your bachelor’s degree or secondary school records. 

However, depending on your credentials and where you received them, you may need to send additional documents. Once the review process begins, WES may determine that additional documents are needed. WES decides at its own discretion if it needs additional documentation to complete an ECA. WES will contact you if more information is needed.  

Before beginning your application for an ECA, review the Required Documents to learn which documents you will need to send. Please do not send additional documents unless they are requested. Doing so may delay the completion of your ECA.

What are the requirements for applicants with credentials from India? 

If you are submitting a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma issued by an institution in India for your ECA, you must also provide your bachelor’s degree. WES cannot complete an evaluation without these documents.  

However, this does not apply if your highest completed degree is one of the following: 

• Master of Education 
• Master of Engineering 
• Master of Philosophy 
• Master of Technology  
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

If you hold one of the above degree types and it was issued by an institution in India, please send only that credential for your ECA.

To learn more and confirm which credentials are needed for an ECA, review the Required Documents. 

What are the requirements for applicants with credentials from a Francophone country? 

If you have earned your highest completed credential from an institution in a Francophone country, please send your academic documents as per the guidelines below:  

• If your DEUG, DUT, or Licence is your highest credential, please do not send your Diplôme du Bac or BEP.
• If your Maîtrise, Master, Diplôme d’Ingénieur, Diplôme de Grande Ecole, DEA, Diplôme d’Etat de Docteur en Médecine, or Diplôme d’Etat de Docteur en Pharmacie is your highest credential, please do not send your DEUG, DUT, or Licence.
• If your Diplôme de Docteur is your highest credential, please do not send your Maîtrise, Master, Diplôme d’Ingénieur, Diplôme de Grande Ecole, DEA, Diplôme d’Etat de Docteur en Médecine, or Diplôme d’Etat de Docteur en Pharmacie.

Do I need to send translations of my documents?  

WES accepts some documents that are not in English or French. To find out if you will need to send a translation of your documents, refer to the Required Documents.  

If you are required to provide a translation of your documents, please note that WES does not offer a translation service. Read more about WES’ translation requirements.

Where can I receive further assistance with my ECA?

Please visit the Help Centre or complete our Contact Us form. 
 

Related Reading 

Understanding WES Required Documents 

How to Upload Your Degree Certificates and Translations to WES