Getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign high school diploma grants you up to 30 CRS points in the Express Entry pool. If you do not have a university degree, this ECA is mandatory to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program or certain PNPs. A WES evaluation currently costs approximately $255 CAD.
Understanding ECAs for High School Diplomas in Canada
Navigating Canada’s Express Entry system is all about maximizing your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. 📈 For candidates hoping to secure Permanent Residence (PR), education points are a massive factor. Most applicants know they need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for their university degrees, but what if your highest level of education is high school? Many candidates mistakenly assume that a high school diploma is not worth the effort to evaluate.
Under IRCC rules, a foreign secondary school credential (high school) must be equated to a Canadian high school diploma to claim any CRS points for it. Without an ECA, your education points will sit at a flat zero. While it is challenging to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with only high school education in general federal draws, having this ECA is absolutely critical for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) minimum requirements, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) point boosts, and specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that target trades or truck drivers.
Step-by-Step Process: Getting a WES ECA for High School
World Education Services (WES) is the most popular and often the fastest agency designated by IRCC to process ECAs. 📝 Here is how you complete the evaluation process for your high school credentials.
Step 1: Determine If You Actually Need It
First, evaluate your education history. If you already have an ECA for a foreign Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, do not waste your money evaluating your high school diploma. IRCC only awards points for your highest level of education. You only need a high school ECA if secondary school is your absolute highest level of completed education.
Step 2: Create a WES Canada Account
Go to the official WES Canada website and create an account explicitly for “IRCC – Express Entry.” 💻 Fill out your educational history exactly as it appears on your high school certificates. Once you pay the processing fee, WES will generate a unique Reference Number. This number is incredibly important, as it must be attached to every document sent to WES.
Step 3: Request Official Transcripts from Your School
WES will not accept transcripts mailed directly from you. You must contact the educational board or the high school in your home country and request that they send your official, sealed transcripts directly to WES in Canada. The envelope must be sealed, stamped across the flap by the school, and must clearly display your WES Reference Number on the outside.
Step 4: Receive Your Report and Update Express Entry
Once WES receives and verifies your documents, they will evaluate them against Canadian standards. 📄 They will issue a digital PDF report and mail you a physical copy. The report should state your education is equivalent to a “Canadian Secondary School Diploma.” You can then enter your ECA report number directly into your Express Entry profile to instantly claim your 28 or 30 CRS points.
How Much Does an ECA Cost in Canada?
Getting your education evaluated is a mandatory expense for entering the Express Entry pool with foreign credentials. You should budget for the agency fee, courier costs, and potential translation services.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| WES Basic ECA Fee | $255 | The standard fee charged by WES for an IRCC evaluation. |
| Courier Return Fees | $11 – $85 | Cost for WES to securely mail the hard copy report back to you. |
| School Transcript Fee | Variable | Fees charged by your home country school to issue and mail transcripts. |
| Certified Translations | $50 – $150 | Required if your high school documents are not in English or French. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline depends entirely on how fast your high school in your home country acts. ⌛ Once WES receives the sealed transcripts from your school and accepts them, the actual evaluation process takes approximately 35 business days. Therefore, you should start the ECA process several months before you plan to submit your Express Entry profile, as overseas mailing and school bureaucracy can cause massive delays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a high school diploma enough to immigrate to Canada?
On its own, getting drawn in a general Express Entry round with only high school is very difficult due to low CRS scores. However, it is often enough if you have strong Canadian work experience (CEC), trade skills, or if you apply for specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that target in-demand blue-collar jobs.
Does my WES ECA expire?
Yes. For IRCC immigration purposes, an Educational Credential Assessment is only valid for exactly 5 years from the date it is issued. If your PR process takes longer than that, you will need to request a duplicate or renewal from WES.
Can I send my original high school diploma to WES?
No, you should never send your original irreplaceable diploma to WES. They only require official, sealed transcripts sent directly by the institution, and occasionally clear photocopies of the diploma sent by you. They do not return documents.
Should I use a lawyer to get my ECA?
While a Canadian law firm can advise you on whether an ECA is necessary for your specific immigration strategy, the WES process itself must be initiated by you, and your home school must send the documents. A lawyer cannot bypass the school’s requirements.
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