When applying for permanent residency in Canada through economic immigration programs, one of the foundational steps is obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This report validates that your foreign education is equivalent to a completed Canadian credential. Once your ECA is issued, a common and important question many applicants have is: Will the credential evaluation service send my ECA directly to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)?
The answer depends on how the evaluation agency processes ECA reports and how you, as the applicant, use your report. Let’s explore the detailed aspects of this process so you know exactly what to expect and how to ensure that your documentation is in proper order for your immigration application.
Understanding the Role of an ECA in Immigration
The ECA plays a critical role in Canada’s immigration system, particularly under programs such as:
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Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class)
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
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Atlantic Immigration Program
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Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
To gain eligibility points for education, you must submit a valid ECA that confirms your foreign credential is equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary diploma, degree, or certificate. But having the ECA issued is only the first step—ensuring the right version reaches IRCC is crucial.
What Happens After Your ECA Is Completed?
Once your ECA has been issued and you have received the final report, you are responsible for entering the reference number from that report into your IRCC online profile. This unique number links your ECA with your immigration application.
Most credential evaluation agencies do not send a physical or digital copy of your ECA report directly to IRCC on your behalf. Instead, they:
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Upload your report details to a secure IRCC database, allowing IRCC to verify the information electronically once you provide your ECA reference number.
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Provide you with a copy of the official report, typically through an online portal and/or in print, depending on your preferences.
This process ensures that your immigration profile and your educational credentials are properly aligned. It is your responsibility to correctly input the ECA reference number in your Express Entry or other immigration profile.
What Is the IRCC Secure Database?
Credential assessment agencies approved by IRCC are required to maintain a secure, digital interface through which IRCC can access validated reports. This means that as long as you submit your correct ECA reference number during the application process, IRCC can pull your report from the system directly.
The following information is typically shared electronically with IRCC:
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Your name and personal details (as submitted in the application)
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The institution that issued your credential
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The credential level (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s)
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The Canadian equivalency summary
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Report issuance and expiry date
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Reference number
Is It Mandatory for the Agency to Send the ECA to IRCC?
No, not in the sense of sending a hard copy or physical document. Once your report is completed and your reference number has been uploaded into the IRCC system, your role is to include the reference number correctly in your IRCC application.
This unique identifier is what allows IRCC to retrieve and validate the ECA report electronically. If the number is mistyped, omitted, or expired, your application may be delayed or considered incomplete.
What You Need to Do as an Applicant
To ensure that IRCC receives and recognizes your ECA report, follow these steps:
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Log in to your evaluation account and verify that your ECA report is completed and contains the correct personal and academic information.
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Find your ECA Reference Number—this is typically a combination of letters and numbers unique to your report.
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Submit this reference number in your Express Entry profile or other relevant immigration application forms under the “Education History” section.
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Double-check that your name and date of birth on the ECA report exactly match your official identification and IRCC application.
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Track the expiration date of your ECA. An ECA report is valid for five years from the date of issue.
How Long Does It Take for IRCC to Access the ECA?
Once the ECA report is issued, IRCC can generally access it immediately via the agency’s secure system. However, it can take a few days for the internal database to sync after final approval, depending on the provider’s update cycle. Therefore, it’s wise to wait a short period after receiving your report before finalizing your immigration application.
What if There Is a Mistake in Your Report?
If you notice any errors in your ECA—be it a typo in your name, an incorrect credential equivalency, or a wrong date—it is vital to request a correction from the credential evaluation agency before submitting your immigration application. A mismatched report could delay your application or reduce your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Should You Submit a Physical Copy to IRCC?
You are not required to mail or upload a copy of your ECA report manually, unless IRCC requests it later during documentation verification. The secure database and the ECA reference number serve as the link between your evaluation report and your immigration profile.
However, keeping a printed or saved copy of your ECA report is still recommended for your records, for reference during future visa or licensing applications, and in case additional documentation is requested by IRCC.
Using Your ECA for Other Purposes
While this guide focuses on the ECA’s role in immigration, it’s worth noting that you can also use your ECA report to:
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Apply for jobs in Canada that require proof of foreign education
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Seek professional licensing or registration in regulated fields
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Enroll in further education or bridging programs
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Provide evidence of academic background for employers
Just remember, the ECA for IRCC immigration purposes is distinct from credential assessments done for professional or academic admission. Each use case may require a different report type or format.
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