IQAS ECA for Canada PR: Fees, Time and Steps
An IQAS ECA is the Educational Credential Assessment from the Alberta government International Qualifications Assessment Service, one of the five organizations IRCC designates. The fee is $260 CAD for one credential plus a $25 CAD administration fee, and IQAS lists about 15 business days once your application is in line for processing (Alberta government, checked October 2026). This guide shows the steps, the costs and the mistakes that slow people down.
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What is an IQAS ECA?
An IQAS ECA is a report that shows your completed foreign degree, diploma or certificate is equal to a completed Canadian credential. IRCC designated IQAS on 6 August 2015 (IRCC, 2026).
You apply in the IQAS online portal, send your documents and then enter the results and the reference number in your Express Entry profile.
Do I need an IQAS ECA?
You need an ECA if you studied outside Canada and want to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or earn points for that education. IQAS is one of five choices, so you need an IQAS report only if you pick IQAS. A Canadian credential needs no ECA.
Why people pick IQAS
- Listed time: about 15 business days once your file is in line for processing
- Rush option: available for an extra $250 CAD
- Transcripts: electronic, mailed by your school or mailed by you in sealed envelopes
- Validity: an ECA works for Express Entry for 5 years, then you must re-apply
Is IQAS the right choice for you?
An honest check before you pay for a report.
IQAS fits if you want
- A listed time of about 15 business days
- A rush option for an extra $250 CAD
- Several ways to send transcripts, including electronic
- A clear fee for each credential
Think twice if
- You have many credentials: each extra one costs $100 CAD
- Your job needs a professional body: doctors, pharmacists and architects
- You only hold Canadian credentials: no ECA is needed
- You want the lowest base fee: ICAS lists $231 CAD with tax included
Read the ECA overview, see how education adds points in the CRS guide, or run the CRS calculator.
IQAS compared with the other four
All five are designated by IRCC. Fees and times below come from each organization (checked October 2026) and can change. Source: IRCC.
Comparative Education Service
Run through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Check its own site for the current fee and time.
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
Lists $231 CAD with tax included and about 20 weeks after all documents arrive. No rush service. Read the ICAS guide →
World Education Services
Lists $264 CAD plus delivery and tax, and about 3 to 4 weeks after documents are verified. Read the WES guide →
International Qualifications Assessment Service (this page)
Known as IQAS. Lists $260 CAD plus a $25 administration fee, and about 15 business days.
International Credential Evaluation Service
Run through the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Check its own site for the current fee and time.
Not sure which one to use?
We match your credential, your profession and your timeline to the right organization.
Rules to know before you order from IQAS
Regulated professions
If you are an architect (NOC 21200), a doctor (NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102) or a pharmacist (NOC 31120) and need a licence, a professional body assesses you, not IQAS.
Documents you need
IQAS asks for your passport or government ID, your credential, official transcripts or mark sheets, proof of a name change if it applies, and translations of non-English documents.
Fees you cannot get back
All IQAS fees are non-refundable. A reassessment costs $200 CAD, and a duplicate certificate costs $30 CAD plus a $5 courier fee for each mailing address.
More than one credential
Each credential needs its own assessment. For full points for more than one credential, at least one must be 3 or more years of study.
How long it lasts
Your ECA must be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application.
Licensing
An ECA does not guarantee a licence. You apply to the regulator in the province or territory where you plan to settle.
Related pages
These pages cover the ECA, points, language and the Express Entry process.
How to submit your IQAS ECA
Five actions take you from your first click to a complete profile.
Pick your credentials
Decide which credentials to assess. Each one needs its own assessment.
Gather your documents
Collect your ID, your credential, official transcripts and any translations.
Send your transcripts
Use an electronic method if your school offers it, ask your school to mail them, or mail sealed official transcripts yourself to Edmonton.
Apply online
Complete and submit the application in the IQAS portal and pay.
Add results to your profile
Enter the results and the reference number in your Express Entry profile.
Want your documents checked first?
We review your credentials and your plan before you pay for a report.
How to get your IQAS ECA, step by step
Six steps from your first check to a complete profile.
Check if you need one
Check whether your program and your credentials need an ECA at all.
Pick your credentials
Decide which credentials to assess. Each extra one costs $100 CAD, so choose what you will claim.
Gather your documents
Collect your ID, your credential, official transcripts and any translations.
Send your transcripts
Choose electronic, school-mailed or mailed by you in sealed envelopes.
Apply and wait
Submit your application in the IQAS portal. The time starts when your file is in line for processing.
Enter results and check the date
Add the results and the reference number to your profile. Confirm the report is under 5 years old.
Five mistakes that waste an IQAS ECA
These mistakes cost money or time.
Ordering one for a Canadian degree
You do not need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
Sending the wrong documents
Check the IQAS document list, send sealed official transcripts and add translations for non-English documents.
Letting the report expire
An ECA must be less than 5 years old when you complete your profile and when you apply.
Expecting a licence
An ECA does not guarantee a licence in a regulated profession.
Assessing only one credential
Each credential you claim needs its own assessment.
IQAS ECA facts at a glance
Key facts from the Alberta government and IRCC, checked October 2026.
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IQAS ECA FAQs
What is an IQAS ECA?
An IQAS ECA is a report from the International Qualifications Assessment Service that shows your completed foreign degree, diploma or certificate is equal to a Canadian credential. IRCC designated IQAS on 6 August 2015.
How much does an IQAS ECA cost?
The fee is $260 CAD for one credential and $100 CAD for each extra one, plus a $25 CAD administration fee. Courier is $25 CAD in Canada or $90 CAD outside Canada, and rush service costs $250 CAD more (Alberta government, checked October 2026). All fees are non-refundable.
How long does an IQAS ECA take?
IQAS lists about 15 business days. The clock starts when your application reaches the in line for processing status in the IQAS portal, not when you first apply.
How do I apply for an IQAS ECA?
Decide which credentials to assess and gather your documents. Then send your transcripts and complete the online application in the IQAS portal.
How do I send my documents to IQAS?
Use an electronic transcript if your school offers it, ask your school to mail official transcripts, or mail sealed official transcripts yourself to the Edmonton address IQAS gives. You also need your ID and your credential, plus translations for non-English documents.
Is IQAS designated by IRCC?
Yes. IRCC designated the International Qualifications Assessment Service on 6 August 2015, so an IQAS report is accepted for Express Entry.
Is an IQAS ECA valid for Express Entry?
Yes, if it is less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application. When it expires you must apply again.
Is IQAS better than WES or ICAS?
None is best for everyone. IQAS lists $260 CAD plus a $25 fee and about 15 business days, WES lists $264 CAD and about 3 to 4 weeks, and ICAS lists $231 CAD and about 20 weeks (each organization, checked October 2026).
Does an IQAS ECA guarantee a licence or a job?
No. It may help your job search, but it does not promise a job. For a regulated profession you must get your licence in the province or territory where you plan to settle.