International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS)

ICAS is one of the IRCC-recognized organizations that provides assessment of foreign credentials.

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What is the role of ICAS?

ICAS provides assessment reports that help immigration officials, educational institutions, and Canadian employers to understand the education completed by you from outside Canada.

What is an ECA by ICAS?

Following an assessment of educational credentials, a report – the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report – is issued by the assessing authority. By giving official recognition to their foreign credentials, an ECA Report enables individuals to achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.

Among the IRCC-designated organizations to provide ECAs, ICAS provides credential assessment services to individuals applying to immigrate to Canada. Those applying for admission in the colleges in Ontario can also approach ICAS for an assessment.

Who can apply for ICAS ECA Report?

Each year, ICAS provides assessments to over 10,000 applicants with –

technical,
post-secondary, and
senior-secondary qualifications.

With an updated on-site research library, ICAS has samples of different documents at all levels in more than 200 countries across the world.

What is the cost to get an Assessment Report from ICAS?

The overall costs to be borne by you will be as per the processing fee for the report as well as courier delivery charges etc., as applicable.

ICAS Assessment Charges

For	Fee (CAD)
General Assessment Report	CAD 90
Secondary School Comprehensive Assessment Report	CAD 130
Post-secondary Comprehensive Assessment Report	CAD 200
Secondary and Postsecondary Comprehensive Assessment	CAD 280
ICAS Assessment Report for Canadian Immigration	CAD 200
Courier – International	CAD 85
Courier – to US	CAD 35
Courier – In Canada	CAD 25
Extra Originals (each extra original)	CAD 30
Electronic Copy	CAD 30
Electronic Transmission to OCAS	CAD 30
Additional Report for the US	CAD 50
Reports in Both English and French	General: CAD 60 / Comprehensive: CAD 90

Why to get an assessment from ICAS?

ICAS prepares assessment reports that –

describe the education completed outside Canada, and
establish the equivalence of education completed outside Canada.

An ECA report analyses your academic background to see where you stand in terms of the Canadian education system.

Assessments are prepared for the different levels of education.

What can I use my ECA Report by ICAS for?

An ICAS assessment report can set you up on the path to achieving your personal and career goals if you are –

Applying for Canadian permanent residence,
Intending to study abroad in Canada,
Exploring options for work overseas in Canada,
Living in Canada and have received some or all of your education from outside Canada,
Living in Canada and applying for a TN visa for working in the US (under the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA),
Were educated in another province/territory of Canada but need on Ontario qualification for the purposes of study/employment, or
Living in Canada and interested in education programs offered in other countries.

How many types of ICAS reports?

ICAS offers four different kinds of assessment reports. These are –

ICAS Report Types

Type of ICAS Report	Key Features	Common Uses
General Assessment Report	– Known as a document-by-document assessment – Describes education completed – Suggests comparable level in Ontario/Canada for each credential	Required by employers
Secondary School Comprehensive Assessment	– Evaluates senior secondary education outside Canada – Suggests comparable level in Ontario/Canada – Lists all courses/subjects completed (Grade 12) with comparable grades and credit values	Admission to postsecondary programs
Post-secondary Comprehensive Assessment	– Known as post-secondary course-by-course assessment – Describes post-secondary education outside Canada – Provides comparable Ontario/Canada level – Includes a list of courses/subjects completed with grades/credits	University or college admissions
Secondary and Postsecondary Comprehensive	– Combines features of secondary and post-secondary assessments – Describes education completed – Suggests comparable Ontario/Canada levels – Lists courses with comparable grades and credits	Comprehensive educational evaluation purposes

Does IRCC accept ICAS General Assessment Report?

No. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will only accept the Canadian Immigration Assessment Report by ICAS.

How to apply to ICAS for ECA Report for immigration?

For Canadian immigration, you will have to get the Canadian Immigration Assessment Package from ICAS.

ICAS ECA Report for Immigration – Stepwise Process

Step	Description
Step 1	Complete the online application form.
Step 2	Receive a confirmation email from ICAS, which includes: – Your ICAS File Number – Document Submission Form – Official Records Request Form
Step 3	Print and fill out the Document Submission Form.
Step 4	Mail or courier the following to the ICAS office in Canada: – Completed Document Submission Form – Photocopies of required documents (as listed for your country) – Any other applicable documents

What will I get if I opt for ICAS ECA Report for immigration purposes?

The Canadian Immigration Assessment Package by ICAS includes –

Electronic storage of the report for verification by IRCC,
An electronic copy of the ECA Report, along with
Two original assessment reports.

How will I get my ICAS ECA Report?

ICAS sends reports by regular mail, unless delivery by courier is specifically requested by the applicant.

How long will my ECA Report by ICAS be valid for?

Your ECA Report for immigration purposes issued by ICAS will be accepted by IRCC for five years from the date of issue. If required, a renewal can be requested after the expiry of the validity of the assessment report.

How Can The Gydance Help?

The Gydance specializes in Permanent Residency Visas, Work Visas, Study Visas, Temporary Visas, and Dependent Visas for Canada, the UK, the USA, Germany, and Hong Kong. With over a decade of experience handling WES Applications and reports for Canada visa seekers, The Gydance offers comprehensive support to clients.

Our Personalized Services:

Profile Evaluation: Professional guidance based on an in-depth assessment of your profile to determine the chances of visa success.
Documents & Review: Detailed, error-free documentation tailored to specific visa types and formats.
Dedicated Case Officer: A dedicated consultant to assist you throughout the process.
Visa Filing: Ensuring your visa application meets all the requirements of the relevant immigration authorities.
Test Preparations: Complimentary online courses to improve your language proficiency for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, French, and PTE.
Visa & Interview: Guidance for visa interviews along with document verification.
Post-Landing Services: Assistance with settling down comfortably in your new country after obtaining your visa.

Additional Services for Job-Seekers:

Resume Writing: A dedicated team of resume experts crafts professional resumes tailored to meet immigration and employer requirements, improving your chances of selection.
Profile Marketing: Creating standout portfolios to boost your profile on job portals – offered as a complimentary service!

Additional Services for Students Seeking a Study Visa:

Admission Guidance: Compare top programs, colleges, and countries to study in, with mentorship opportunities from current students.
Writing Services: Assistance with admission essays, student CVs, statements of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LOR), and more from a dedicated team.
Scholarships & Financial Aid: Help finding the best scholarship programs, education loans, study abroad loans, and sourcing paid internships.

Other Important FAQs

What is a credential?

Generally, a credential is an academic or educational qualification that you have completed.

A credential might also refer to occupational qualifications, such as for work experience or professional certification.

Why to get my international credentials assessed?

You will have to submit proof of an assessment of your credentials when applying for –

study overseas at the higher education level,
licensure with a professional association,
gaining entry into an apprenticeship program, or
when applying to migrate to Canada.

Why do I have to get my educational credentials assessed?

You will have to get your assessment from an organization or professional body – specifically selected for the purpose by IRCC – for:

Study abroad in Canada,
Work overseas in Canada, or
Settle in Canada as a permanent resident.

What happens after a positive assessment?

Following an assessment, a report will be issued by the assessing authority. It will be this report – officially referred to as your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report – that tells you what your education level is equivalent to as per the education system in Canada. The processing times as well as costs vary from organization to organization.

Which are the IRCC-designated organizations that provide ECA Reports?

IRCC-Designated Organizations for ECA Reports

For Assessment of Academic Credentials

Organization	Designation
ICAS	International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
CES	Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES)
WES	World Education Services (WES)
IQAS	International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
ICES	International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

For Occupation-Specific Credential Assessments

Occupation	Designated Organization
Doctors	Medical Council of India (MCI)
Pharmacists	Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

Can I get extra copies of my ICAS ECA Report?

Extra original reports might be requested for, at an additional cost.

Can I use ICAS assessment report for Canada Express Entry?

Yes. ICAS is officially designated by IRCC to provide ECA Reports for immigration purposes.

How many Canada immigration points will my ECA Report get me?

Your ECA Report for immigration gets you –

Up to 25 points as eligibility points for making your Express Entry profile, and
Up to CRS 150 ranking points (when applying without a spouse/partner) while your profile is in the IRCC pool of candidates.

Can I use my ECA Report even after I migrate to Canada?

Yes. Your ECA Report can be used for immigration, as well as for –

Work in Canada,
Admission to educational institutions, and
As part of the licensing process with certain regulatory bodies.

Can I upgrade my ICAS Assessment Report for Canadian immigration?

Yes. If you have already received an ICAS Assessment Report, you can get the same upgraded to the Canadian Immigration Assessment Package. Additional documents might have to be submitted for the upgrade.

How much do I pay for Canadian immigration assessment package by ICAS?

CAD 200 is the fee for the Canadian immigration assessment package offered by ICAS.

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