If you’ve already obtained a credential evaluation through the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), you may be wondering whether you can upgrade your existing report to an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that meets the requirements of international immigration or professional licensing authorities. The answer is yes—but the process depends on several important factors including the type of evaluation you previously received, the intended use of the ECA, and how your original application was processed.
Let’s dive deep into what an ICES evaluation is, how it differs from an ECA, and how you can transition or upgrade your existing evaluation to one that is recognized for immigration or other official purposes.
Understanding the Basics: ICES Evaluation vs. ECA
Before discussing the update process, it’s important to understand the difference between a standard ICES evaluation and an ECA.
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ICES General Evaluation Report: This type of report is typically used for academic admissions, employment, or personal reference. It confirms the Canadian equivalency of international education, but it is not necessarily tailored to immigration or federal recognition.
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ICES ECA Report: This is a specialized evaluation designed specifically to meet the requirements of immigration authorities. It is recognized and structured to satisfy the educational documentation standards set by national immigration systems. It usually includes details such as comparability to Canadian standards and is issued with a unique ECA reference number.
In other words, if your original evaluation was not specifically processed as an ECA, you’ll likely need to either upgrade it or reapply with ECA specifications.
Why You May Want to Upgrade to an ECA
There are many situations in which someone who previously obtained a general ICES credential evaluation later decides to apply for immigration or other official designations that require an ECA. These might include:
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Immigration under a skilled worker or express entry program
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Application for permanent residency
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Professional licensing by regulatory bodies
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Federal or provincial government assessments that specifically require an ECA report
In such cases, the general credential evaluation you have on file may not be accepted unless it has been upgraded to meet ECA requirements.
Can You Actually Upgrade an Existing ICES Evaluation?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions—and the answer is nuanced. You cannot simply convert a non-ECA report into an ECA without meeting the required protocols. However, having a previous ICES evaluation can help expedite the process if your academic documents are still on file and your original application meets certain conditions.
Here’s how it typically works:
Step 1: Determine the Type of Evaluation You Previously Received
Start by reviewing your old report. If it is clearly labeled as an ECA, you may already be set. However, if it’s a general or basic report used for academic or employment purposes, you will need to take additional steps to request an ECA version.
Step 2: Check the Validity Period
Even if you previously received an ECA, these reports are typically valid for a limited time—often five years from the date of issue. If your ECA has expired, you may need to request a re-issue or submit a re-evaluation request to bring it up to date.
If your previous report was not an ECA and is older than a certain threshold (usually more than one year or two), your original documents may have been archived, and you might have to re-submit them.
Step 3: Contact the Evaluation Service for Report Conversion
If your documents are already on file and your previous ICES evaluation was recent, you may be allowed to:
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Submit a formal request to convert or upgrade your report to an ECA format
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Pay a conversion fee or ECA issuance fee
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Provide additional information, such as the intended purpose (immigration, licensing, etc.)
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Verify if any new documentation is needed
Keep in mind that the ECA report format includes details and reference numbers specific to immigration systems, which must be included in the revised or upgraded version.
What Documents Are Typically Required for ECA Conversion?
When upgrading your report, you may need to supply or reconfirm the following:
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Official academic transcripts (sent directly from your institution)
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Degree certificates
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Identification documents
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ECA-specific forms or statements of purpose
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Payment for the upgrade or conversion request
If ICES already has these documents on file from your previous evaluation and they are still considered valid, you may not need to re-submit them. However, it’s essential to verify the status of each document, especially if your evaluation is more than a year old.
Timeline and Processing Duration
While upgrading an existing evaluation is often faster than applying from scratch, it still involves processing time. Depending on the volume of requests and the completeness of your previous file, timelines may vary. On average:
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Conversion or update requests can take 4 to 8 weeks
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New ECA applications may take 10 to 14 weeks or longer
To avoid delays, ensure that all required information is complete, documents are in order, and payments are submitted correctly.
Additional Tips and Best Practices
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Clearly state the purpose of your update when submitting your request—whether it is for immigration, licensing, or another official use.
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Use the same personal details (such as your name and date of birth) across all documents and applications to prevent mismatches.
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Retain copies of all communication and reports, including emails, payment receipts, and courier tracking information.
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Monitor the status of your application through any available tracking systems or applicant portals.
If you’re in doubt about whether your existing evaluation meets ECA standards, it’s better to seek clarification early than to proceed with an incorrect or incomplete report.
Conclusion: Turning Your Past Evaluation into a Forward-Facing Opportunity
Having a previous ICES credential evaluation gives you a head start, but it may not be sufficient for specialized uses like immigration or professional licensing. Thankfully, the process to convert or upgrade your existing report to an ECA is usually straightforward—provided your academic documents are still on file and your report is recent.
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