ECA stands for Educational Credential Assessment. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a process by which a designated organization evaluates and verifies the educational credentials of individuals who have completed their education outside of Canada. The purpose of an ECA is to assess the equivalency of foreign educational credentials to Canadian standards, particularly for immigration, employment, or academic purposes.

Individuals who are planning to immigrate to Canada through certain immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class, are typically required to obtain an ECA as part of their application process. The ECA helps immigration authorities determine the level of education attained by the applicant and assesses whether their foreign credentials are equivalent to Canadian educational standards.

To obtain an ECA, applicants must submit their educational transcripts, diplomas, and other relevant documents to a designated organization recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The designated organization evaluates the documents and issues a formal assessment report that indicates the Canadian equivalency of the applicant’s educational credentials.

The ECA report is an important component of the immigration application process and may also be required for other purposes, such as seeking employment, professional licensures, or admission to educational institutions in Canada. It helps ensure that individuals with foreign education backgrounds are appropriately recognized and qualified for opportunities in Canada based on their educational achievements.