Education

What This Criterion Requires

CRS and the FSW grid award points for education level. Foreign credentials normally need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-designated organization (e.g. WES, IQAS, ICES). Canadian credentials are documented with transcripts and completion letters rather than an ECA.

Without a valid ECA, foreign education typically counts for zero Express Entry points — even if you hold a prestigious degree.

What Officers Look For

• ECA from a designated organization stating Canadian equivalency
• Alignment between the credential claimed in the profile and the ECA outcome
• Validity of the ECA at relevant milestones (commonly five years from issue)
• For Canadian study points: eligible program completion evidence

Evidence Strength