INTERNATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE

International Credentials Assessment Service (ICAS) is one of the top IRCC-approved organizations that offer Educational Credential Assessment services to global migrants aiming to settle in Canada. People desiring to immigrate to Canada under specific streams submit an ECA report to prove their eligibility. ICAS supports struggling migrants by evaluating their educational credentials according to Canadian standards.

IRCC AND ICAS FOR CANADA PR

Immigrants, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada IRCC is a board that handles the immigration process in Canada. This board has approved some institutes to assess the educational credentials of candidates’ applying for Canadian PR.

ICAS is a Canadian company that assesses foreign credentials. IRCC approved this institute on April 17, 2013, and it has been one of the top preferences of candidates since then. The fact that it charges a pocket-friendly fee makes it the top choice of middle-class Indians applying under the Federal Skill Workers Program.

ICAS CANADA FACTS

ICAS Canada provides a report with a minimum of 5 years of validity, and you have the facility o extend this validity by contacting the authority.

The institute assesses the documents for more than 10,000 candidates every year.

You become eligible to apply for ICAS Evaluation if you have the below qualifications:

Technical Field
Post- Secondary
Senior-Secondary
Graduation
Post-Graduation
Ph.D.
Any other relevant qualification

It has an up-to-date research library.

It has collaborated with over 200 countries.

It has samples of international documents from all levels.

WHAT IS EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT?

Educational Credential Assessment is a process where migrants’ degrees, diplomas, and certificates are evaluated by authorities to check their eligibility to apply for a foreign visa. ECA is a three-step process:

Verification of Documents

Candidates have to submit their university credentials. After that, agencies verify that these documents are genuine and from a recognized institute or University.

Comparison to Canadian Standards

In the next step, agencies look out for the course or syllabus and compare it with the courses offered in Canadian institutes.

ECA Report

After analyzing these documents, the agencies prepare a report determining their education level according to Canadian Education System.

WHO REQUIRES ICAS FOR CANADIAN IMMIGRATION?

There are different types of visas for immigration. One requires a specific visa type depending upon the purpose of migration. There are several pathways where you do not need ICAS for Canadian immigration. Candidates applying for tourist visas or those visiting Canada for a short span can get a permit without ICAS evaluation. However, there are certain types of Visas for which an ECA evaluation is mandatory.

You might also need to connect with ICAS if you are applying for a Canadian visa for any of the below purposes:

Note – If you have got your education credentials from any of the institutes situated in Canada, then you will not need to submit an ECA for Canadian Permanent Residency

WHY PREFER INTERNATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR ECA?

ICAS is not a single Canadian agency to offer foreign documents assessment. There are a total of six organizations that provide the same services to candidates across the globe. The fee structure, validity, processing time, requirements, and eligibility are unique. Candidates may choose International Credentials Assessment Service according to their conditions.

HERE IS WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE ICAS

It helps you understand your caliber in a new arena
Educational institutes and employers get a better understanding of your education and qualifications
It provides an assessment for every level of education
It does not require original documents
ECA report provided by ICAS is valid for 5 Years
You can apply for an update after these 5 Years
You can submit translated documents if your credentials are in local language.

ICAS does not provide assessments for a few profiles and professions like Physicians and pharmacists. Check out the below table to find an alternative agency for getting ECA.

MEDICAL COUNCIL OF CANADA

NOC CODE 31100 – Specialist in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine
NOC CODE 31101 – A Specialist in Surgery
NOC CODE 31102 – A General Practitioner or Family Physician

PHARMACY EXAMINING BOARD OF CANADA (NOC CODE 31120)

Community Pharmacy
Hospital Pharmacy
Long-Term Care Facility
Other Practice Settings

HOW TO GET ECA FROM ICAS CANADA?

ICAS Canada offers the Canadian Immigration Assessment Package provides evaluation according to the IRCC standards. Here is the stepwise process to get ECA from ICAS Canada.

Step 1

Visit the official ICAS Website and complete the online ECA application.

Step 2

ICAS will send you a confirmation mail along with

Your ICAS File Number
Form for Document Submission
Request Form for Official Records

Step 3

Either Print or fill Document Submission Form Online.

Step 4

Courier or Mail the below to the authorities

Completed Document Submission Form
Photocopies of required educational documents
Photocopies of other documents

Step 5

Payment of International Credential Assessment Service of Canada fees is $CAD 210. You need to make a payment to start the process.

ICAS CANADA! DOCUMENT LIST FOR INDIAN CANDIDATES

ICAS Canada’s assessment process has specific document requirements for each country. You will have to check for the ICAS Canada required documents for the country where you got your education from. You are not required to send and evaluate your documents for secondary education if you are a graduate or post-graduate. Here is the list of documents for Indian Candidates.

Duly Filled Document Submission Form
Clear, Complete Photocopy of the Diploma, Degree, or Certificate for Post-Secondary Education
Clear, Complete Photocopies of the Mark Sheets for each year of study
Translations of the above, if not in English or French Language

Note – ICAS also requires the UNIVERSITY to send your Statements of graduation and marks certificates for each year of study for the diploma/degree.

INTERNATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE OF CANADA PROCESSING TIME

The evaluation process does not start with an incomplete form. Submit all the documents in the required format along with the fee. Usually, the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada processing time is 6-8 weeks to send the ICAS Canada ECA Report. Presently it is taking some extra time to provide more accurate and quality reports.

Applications Received After April 1, 2023

ICAS takes at least 20 weeks after receiving a complete application and receiving all the required documents in its office.

Applications Received Before April 1, 2023

ICAS takes at least 30 weeks after receiving a complete application and receiving all the required documents in its office.

Looking for Professional assistance? TRUST BOI

Obtaining an ECA appears complicated, but it is only one of the many requirements for getting a Canada Visa. There are many such stages like Increasing the CRS Points, Scoring the Eligibility Test, Language Proficiency Test, Documentation, and whatnot.

It is not something you can’t do, but it will take time, effort, and money. Getting professional assistance will help you clear all the hurdles without taking stress. There are numerous consultancies offering immigration support. You can’t select one without ensuring that they are genuine.

WHY ALWAYS CONSIDER BASICS OF IMMIGRATION?

Expert Visa counselors provide Step-by-step guidance through a secure, online process.
Apt evaluation of credentials and faster visa processing.
Identifying all potential hazards and roadblocks in securing a visa.
Assistance with documentation, immigration rules, citizenship, and border control procedures.
Multiple case assessment for better conflict resolution.
Designated process managers to provide personalized guidance.

Just like the basics of anything act as “building blocks” forming a strong foundation for constructing complex structures. The Basics of Immigration serve as the foundational elements of moving abroad, for any aspiring immigrant.