Express Entry7 min read
How Many CRS Points Is French Worth? 2026 Express Entry Guide
French can add up to 50 bonus CRS points, plus second-language points and access to French-category draws. Calculator and worked examples for 2026.
Express Entry · Education
ECA checklist for Express Entry
An educational credential assessment shows IRCC what your foreign degree is worth in Canada. Here's who needs one, which designated organization to use, what to send, and how the report links to your Express Entry profile.
- Who needs an ECA, and who doesn't
- All IRCC-designated organizations in one table
- Document checklist and step-by-step process
- Mistakes that delay or waste a report
Download free PDF
PDF · free · no sign-upChecked October 6, 2026
Quick answer
You need an ECA for immigration purposes if you studied outside Canada and either apply as a Federal Skilled Worker or want CRS points for that education. Use one of the organizations IRCC designates: WES, ICAS, IQAS, CES (University of Toronto) or ICES (BCIT), or MCC, PEBC or CACB for licensed doctors, pharmacists and architects. The report must be less than 5 years old.
Who needs an ECA for Express Entry
If you completed your education outside Canada, you need an ECA to be eligible as the principal applicant under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or to earn points for that education. You can also earn points for your spouse's or common-law partner's education if they're coming with you, which also needs an ECA.
The assessment must be the type made for immigration purposes. A report made for a university admission or a professional licence is a different product. Check what your education is worth in points with the CRS calculator and the FSW points calculator.
- Federal Skilled Worker with foreign education: ECA required.
- Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades: optional, but without it you get no points for education from outside Canada.
- Canadian diploma, degree or certificate: no ECA needed for that credential.
- Spouse's foreign education: ECA only if you want the spouse points.
Which ECA organization? IRCC's designated list
IRCC accepts ECA reports only from these organizations. For most people, any of the first five works.
| Organization | Who it's for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| World Education Services (WES) | Any profession | Designated April 17, 2013 |
| International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) | Any profession | Designated April 17, 2013 |
| Comparative Education Service (CES), University of Toronto | Any profession | Designated April 17, 2013 |
| International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) | Any profession | Designated August 6, 2015 |
| International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), BCIT | Any profession | Designated August 6, 2015 |
| Medical Council of Canada (MCC) | Doctors: primary occupation NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102 | Must assess your primary medical diploma |
| Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | Pharmacists (NOC 31120) who need a licence to practise | Pharmacists who don't need a licence can use a general organization |
| Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) | Architects (NOC 21200) who need a licence to practise | Designated May 20, 2024 |
If your primary occupation is a doctor, or a licensed pharmacist or architect, you must use the profession-specific body. Everyone else picks from the first five.
How to choose between WES, ICAS, IQAS, CES and ICES
IRCC treats all five general organizations the same. Pick the one whose document requirements you can meet for your country of study (some require transcripts sent directly by your university), then compare their current fees and processing times on their own sites.
ECA document checklist (WES and other organizations)
Each organization publishes its own list for your country and type of credential. Look it up before you pay, then tick these off.
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How to get an ECA for Express Entry, step by step
Day 1
Pick your organization
Use the table above. Profession-specific rules come first.
Create an account and apply for an ECA for immigration
Pay the fee shown on the organization's site and note your reference number.
Get your documents sent
Ask your university to send transcripts the way the organization requires. Upload or post the rest yourself.
Wait for verification
Some organizations contact your university to confirm the documents, which can put the file on hold until it replies.
Receive the report
Check that the Canadian equivalency matches what you expected and that your name is spelled correctly.
Add it to your profile
Enter the ECA reference number in your Express Entry profile, then check your score with the CRS calculator.
Common ECA mistakes
- Start the ECA early: your file can't move until your university's documents arrive.
- Check the report will still be less than 5 years old when you submit your PR application.
- Ask your registrar exactly how they will send transcripts, and keep proof of sending.
- While you wait, work on French, which can add CRS points too. Start with the free French level check and the NCLC converter.
- Don't order an academic or licensing evaluation by mistake.
- Don't use a general organization if you're a doctor, or a licensed pharmacist or architect.
- Don't send provisional certificates or incomplete credentials.
- Don't claim a foreign degree in your profile before you have the report.
Keep a copy
Download the PDF to print it or keep it on your phone. Prints cleanly on A4 and Letter.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Last checked against official sources on Oct 6, 2026. Rules change: always confirm on canada.ca before you submit anything.
- IRCC: Educational credential assessment (ECA)Who needs one, designated organizations, 5-year rule, reference number (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Express Entry documents (opens in a new tab)
- WES: ECA for Canadian immigrationValidity from date of issue, reference number, verification holds (opens in a new tab)
- CES, University of Toronto: ECA for immigrationAverage processing time (opens in a new tab)
- IQAS: assessment for immigrationProcessing time and validity (opens in a new tab)
- ICES, BCIT: ECACompleted credentials only (opens in a new tab)
- Express Entry document checklistEvery document for your profile and PR application
- CRS score calculatorYour Express Entry score, with French points
- FSW 67-point calculatorAre you eligible for Federal Skilled Worker?
- Police certificates for Canada immigrationWhich countries, which certificate, when to ask
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