What Is IQAS?
IQAS stands for the International Qualifications Assessment Service, a credential evaluation program operated by the Government of Alberta. It’s designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for immigration purposes, including Express Entry. IQAS compares your educational credentials earned outside Canada against Canadian standards, enabling employers, educational institutions, licensing bodies, and immigration authorities to understand the true value of your qualifications .
What Does an IQAS Assessment Involve?
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Document Verification: IQAS carefully reviews your official academic documents—including transcripts and degree certificates. It may verify these directly with your institution to ensure authenticity ﹙e.g., checking for tampering or inconsistency﹚.
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Recognition Criteria: Only credentials from institutions formally recognized or widely accepted are assessed .
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Comparative Evaluation: IQAS evaluates key elements such as your level of education, duration of study, and program content to issue a statement indicating how your credential compares to Canadian education standards .
Who Benefits from an IQAS Assessment?
IQAS assessments are valuable for:
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Immigration Applicants using Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), since a valid ECA is required by IRCC—typically valid for five years .
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Students and Professionals who need their credentials recognized by Canadian academic institutions, employers, or accreditation bodies.
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Job Seekers or Licensing Applicants needing verified credential assessment in Canada—beyond immigration, a trusted ECA can aid in employment or professional registration .
What Types of Assessments Does IQAS Offer?
While detailed categories aren’t always explicitly stated, IQAS programs generally include:
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General Assessment: A basic comparison aligning your credential with a Canadian equivalent—useful for employment or education purposes .
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Detailed or Specialized Assessment: More thorough evaluations providing breakdowns of courses, grades, or levels—helpful for academic or licensing needs .
Processing Timeframes
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ECAs for Immigration: Typically processed in about 25 business days (~5 weeks) .
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Assessments for Work, Study, or Licensing: Similar turnaround of around 20 business days, with rush options available in some cases .
Why Choose FACTS Transcript for Your IQAS Assessment
Partnering with FACTS Transcript elevates every step of your journey:
| Your Need | How FACTS Transcript Helps |
|---|---|
| Understanding requirements | We guide you to choose the right assessment type: ECA, general, or detailed. |
| Document preparation | We assist in gathering, translating (if needed), and formatting transcripts and certificates correctly. |
| Secure submission | We ensure your documents are authenticated, sealed, and submitted exactly per IQAS standards. |
| Real-time tracking | Stay updated at every stage, from application to result delivery. |
| Increased acceptance certainty | Our careful handling reduces chances of delays, rejections, or incomplete submissions. |
Summary Takeaways
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IQAS, run by the Government of Alberta, assesses foreign credentials against Canadian education standards and is recognized by IRCC for immigration purposes and by employers, institutions, and licensing bodies across Canada .
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It offers general and detailed assessment options, with processing times ranging from 20 to 25 business days, depending on the purpose .
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FACTS Transcript ensures a smooth, accurate, and stress-free experience—from organizing documents to ensuring delivery and compliance with IQAS requirements.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
We at FACTS Transcripts assist in various services, including:
- Mark Sheet Transcripts
- E-Transcripts
- Duplicate Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates
- Medium of Instructions Certificates
- Attestations
- HRD Attestation / Apostille Services
- ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment)
Trusted by leading global verification organizations, including WES, IQAS, PEBC, NDEB, NASBA, CAPR, NZQA, ICAS, NCESS, ICES, ECE, eduPASS, ACEI, GCEUS, Comparative Education Services, NNAS, NCA, SAQA, QMAS, FORAC, Australian Pharmacy Council, and more.
FACTS Transcripts – The preferred choice for university document verification worldwide. We ensure a hassle-free process for obtaining your transcripts.
