How to Find ECA Certificate Number on WES, CES, IQAS, ICES Report?

How to Find ECA Certificate Number on WES, CES, IQAS, ICES Report?

When obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from organizations like WES, CES, IQAS, or ICES for immigration purposes, it’s essential to locate the ECA certificate number. 

So I will be sharing ECA report samples from WES, CES, IQAS, and ICES. I will also mark the location of the ECA  number on each sample.

ECA Certificate Number: ECA certificate number is a unique number assigned to an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report by the ECA body such as WES, CES, IQAS, and ICES for immigration purposes. 

The ECA certificate number is important because it is used by the Canadian government to verify the authenticity of the ECA report. The ECA certificate number can be found on the top right corner of the ECA report, just next to the date. It always ends with the suffix “IMM”. 

It is important to note that the ECA certificate number is different from the reference number, and only the ECA certificate number should be shared with the Canadian government.

Educational Credential Assessment is a unique 7-digit number is typically found on the top right corner of the report, under the date. 

Note that not every ECA report may contain this number, and it is specifically assigned to reports requested for immigration purposes. 

The ECA certificate number is crucial for various immigration applications, particularly for Canada, and it is identified by the suffix “IMM” when used for Canadian immigration purposes

Remember that the ECA certificate number is different from the reference number, and only the ECA certificate number should be shared with the Canadian government.

Things to keep in mind

  • Unique identifier: Each ECA report specifically requested for immigration purposes has a unique certificate number assigned by the ECA body (WES, CES, IQAS, or ICES).
  • Not universal: Not all ECA reports have certificate numbers. Only those requested for immigration purposes receive them.
  • IMM suffix: The certificate number for Canada immigration always ends with “IMM” to distinguish it from other numbers like reference numbers.
  • Verification key: CIC (Canadian immigration authorities) can only access and verify your ECA report using the certificate number, not the reference number.

Why ECA certificate number is important?

ECA is done for multiple purposes. But for Express entry (CEC or FSW), you need to get an ECA report for Immigration.  

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Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is crucial for several reasons, especially when it comes to immigration and job opportunities:

For Immigration:

  • Verifies your qualifications: An ECA report ensures your foreign education credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards. This is mandatory for immigration applications via Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and other programs that require points for education.
  • Boosts your CRS score: A positive ECA report translates into additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used for Express Entry applications. Higher CRS scores increase your chances of getting an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
  • Streamlines the application process: By providing clear equivalence of your qualifications, an ECA report simplifies the immigration process and avoids potential delays due to unverified credentials.

For Job Opportunities:

  • Increases your employability: Employers in Canada often prioritize candidates with Canadian education or equivalent credentials. An ECA report demonstrates your qualifications meet Canadian standards, making you a more competitive candidate.
  • Opens doors to regulated professions: Certain professions in Canada, like medicine or engineering, require licensing by regulatory bodies. An ECA report is often necessary to prove your qualifications meet the licensing requirements.
  • Provides transparency and credibility: An ECA report adds legitimacy and transparency to your resume and application materials, potentially increasing the trust and confidence of potential employers.

Beyond the above, an ECA report can also:

  • Help you understand your Canadian education equivalent: It clarifies your education level within the Canadian system, aiding in further academic pursuits or job searches.
  • Support future licensing or accreditation: Some professional bodies and educational institutions may require an ECA report for accreditation or licensing purposes.

Overall, an ECA report serves as a valuable bridge between your foreign education and your aspirations in Canada, whether for immigration or career advancement. It’s an investment in your future in Canada and opens doors to greater opportunities.

How to Find ECA Certificate Number?

I assume that you have the ECA report in your hand and you want to find the ECA certificate number. 

Here I will share the sample ECA report from WES, CES, ICES, and IQAS. And mark the location of the number on them.

Additional Tips:

  • Remember, the certificate number always ends with “IMM” for Canada immigration purposes.

WES: The ECA Certificate Number & Sample

wes eca sample report

This the ECA report sample from World Education Services (WES).

On the top right corner, under the date, you can find your ECA number. The ECA# indicates that the report was generated for immigration purposes.

Ref# and ECA# on the WES report are the same numbers with different suffixes. But WES Reference number cannot be used as an ECA certificate number. We will discuss the difference between both numbers later in the article.

The number with IMM suffix should only be used for Express Entry profile (CEC and FSW)

Finding your ECA certificate number with WES is quite straightforward. Here are a few ways:

  1. Check your ECA report:
  • Look for the front page or the first few pages of your report. The certificate number is usually displayed prominently in this area.
  • Check for sections mentioning credentials, evaluation outcomes, or reference numbers, as the certificate number might be included within these sections.
  • Pay attention to formatting variations of the certificate number. It might be separated by hyphens or embedded within a larger reference number.
  1. Access your WES account:
  • Login to your “My Account” on the WES website.
  • Navigate to “My Reports” and click on the specific ECA report you’re interested in.
  • The certificate number should be displayed alongside other details like report date and reference number.
  1. Check your emails and letters:
  • Search for any confirmation emails or letters you received from WES after your application. These often mention the certificate number.
  1. Contact WES customer service:
  • If you’ve tried the above steps and still haven’t found your certificate number, reach out to WES customer service. Explain your situation and provide any relevant information like your name, application date, or reference number.
  • You can reach them at 1-800-563-3714 (Canada) or +1-416-865-0111 (International).

CES: The ECA Certificate Number & Sample

ces eca report sample and eca certificate number

Here is the ECA sample report from CES (Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies ).

You can see that the report states Ref# number with IMM. The IMM here proves that this ECA report is generated for immigration. And you need to add this ECA certificate number fill in the Express Entry profile.

Finding your ECA certificate number with CES is similar to WES, but with some slight variations. Here are the steps you can take:

  1. Check your ECA report:
  • Look for the front page or the first few pages of your report. The certificate number is usually displayed prominently here.
  • Check for sections mentioning credentials, evaluation outcomes, or reference numbers, as the certificate number might be included within them.
  • Pay attention to formatting variations of the certificate number. It might be separated by hyphens or embedded within a larger reference number.
  1. Access your CES account:
  • Login to your “My Account” on the CES website.
  • Navigate to “My Reports” and click on the specific ECA report you’re looking for.
  • The certificate number should be displayed alongside other details like report date and reference number.
  1. Check your emails and letters:
  • Search for any confirmation emails or letters you received from CES after your application. These often mention the certificate number.
  1. Contact CES customer service:
  • If you’ve tried the above steps and still haven’t found your certificate number, reach out to CES customer service. Explain your situation and provide any relevant information like your name, application date, or reference number.
  • You can reach them at 1-800-387-3629 (Canada/US) or +1-416-967-1780 (International).

ICAS: The ECA Certificate Number & Sample

icas eca certificate number report sample

This is the ECA report sample from the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS).

In the report, you can see “File No” with the IMM code. This is your ECA certificate number.

Locating your ECA certificate number with ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service) can be slightly different from other providers like WES and CES. Here are some ways to find it:

  1. Check your ICAS report:
  • Front page and first few pages: The certificate number is often prominently displayed on the front page or within the first few pages of your ICAS report.
  • Sections mentioning credentials or reference numbers: Check for sections related to evaluated credentials, assessment outcomes, or reference numbers, as the certificate number might be included within them.
  • Look for formatting variations: The certificate number format may vary, possibly separated by hyphens or embedded within a larger reference number.
  1. Access your ICAS account:
  • “My Reports” section: Log in to your ICAS account and navigate to the “My Reports” section. Identify your specific ECA report and look for the certificate number displayed alongside other report details.
  • Download report: If available, download the electronic version of your report. The certificate number might be located in the downloaded file.
  1. Check your emails and letters:
  • Confirmation emails or letters: Search for any confirmation emails or letters you received from ICAS after your application. These often mention the certificate number.
  1. Contact ICAS customer service:
  • If the above methods fail: Reach out to ICAS customer service and explain your situation. Provide details like your name, application date, or reference number to help them locate your certificate number.
  • Contact information: You can reach them at 1-800-321-6021 (Canada) or +1-519-763-7282 (International).

 

IQAS: The ECA Certificate Number & Sample

iqas eca certificate number

You know the rule

ECA certificate number of ECA report for immigration always ends with IMM.

As you can see in the ECA report sample from International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS). The “File No” on the report ends with IMM. This means it is your ECA certificate number.

Finding your ECA certificate number with IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service) involves similar steps to other providers, but might have slight variations. Here’s how you can locate it:

  1. Check your IQAS report:
  • Front page and first few pages: Look for the certificate number prominently displayed on the front page or within the first few pages of your report.
  • Sections mentioning credentials or reference numbers: Review sections related to evaluated credentials, assessment outcomes, or reference numbers, as the certificate number might be included there.
  • Formatting variations: Pay attention to potential formatting variations of the certificate number, like hyphens or being embedded within a larger reference number.
  1. Access your IQAS account:
  • “My Reports” section: Log in to your IQAS account and navigate to the “My Reports” section. Locate your specific ECA report and look for the certificate number displayed alongside other report details.
  • Download report: If available, download the electronic version of your report. The certificate number might be included in the downloaded file.
  1. Check your emails and letters:
  • Confirmation emails or letters: Search for any confirmation emails or letters you received from IQAS after your application. These often mention the certificate number.
  1. Contact IQAS customer service:
  • If the above methods fail: Reach out to IQAS customer service and explain your situation. Provide details like your name, application date, or reference number to aid them in locating your certificate number.
  • Contact information: You can reach them at 1-800-268-7575 (Canada/US) or +1-780-422-6933 (International).

Can’t find your ECA Certificate Number

If you can’t find your ECA certificate number on your report from any of the major providers (WES, CES, IQAS, or ICES), here are some steps you can take:

  1. Double-check your report:
  • Thoroughly examine the entire report, including the front page, first few pages, and any appendices. Pay close attention to sections mentioning credentials, evaluation outcomes, or reference numbers.
  • Check for any variations in the format of the certificate number. Sometimes, it might be separated by hyphens or included within a larger reference number.
  1. Consider alternative sources:
  • WES: If you used WES, check your online account under “My Reports” or look for any confirmation emails or letters they might have sent you.
  • CES: Similar to WES, access your CES account and check “My Reports” or any related emails or letters.
  • IQAS: Go to your IQAS account and check “My Reports.” If needed, review your application confirmation email or contact them for assistance.
  • ICES: Login to your ICES account and check “My Reports” for your ECA report and any associated emails or letters.
  1. Contact the ECA body:
  • If you’ve exhausted all other options, reach out directly to the ECA body you used. Explain your situation and ask them to look up your certificate number based on your name, application date, or other relevant information.
  • WES: 1-800-563-3714 (Canada) or +1-416-865-0111 (International)
  • CES: 1-800-387-3629 (Canada/US) or +1-416-967-1780 (International)
  • IQAS: 1-800-268-7575 (Canada/US) or +1-780-422-6933 (International)
  • ICES: 1-888-889-1710 (Canada/US) or +1-416-499-9000 (International)
  1. Consider contacting immigration authorities:
  • If you need your ECA certificate number urgently for an immigration application, you can contact the relevant immigration authorities and explain your situation. They might be able to help you retrieve your certificate number or suggest alternative solutions.
  1. Check for alternative report types:
  • If you’re unsure whether the report you have is an ECA report for immigration purposes, it’s possible you might have a different type of report that doesn’t include a certificate number. Contact the ECA body for clarification.

Frequently Asked Question

I came across many confusions related to the ECA report. Here I will try to answer as many questions for you to make things easier. Let’s get started

Can I Apply Without an ECA Number?

No, you cannot apply for Federal Skilled Program under Express Entry without ECA. It is one of the eligibility requirements for the process. Here is a detailed article about the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Step by Step Process of Express Entry System in Canada

What Is the Difference Between Reference and ECA Certificate Number?

ECA number ends with the suffix IMM. This number allows CIC to get access to your ECA report. Without this, CIC cannot access your report and can’t verify your education credentials for immigration.

On the other hand, a Reference number is used for the identification of your account.

Only Reference number with suffix IMM can be used as ECA certificate number.

The numerical part in the reference number may or may not be similar to your ECA number.

Can I Use the WES Reference Number for the Express Entry Profile?

No, you cannot use the WES reference number for ECA in the express entry profile.

WES issues reference numbers before starting the ECA process. It has no connection with the immigration process.

Express entry profile requires the ECA number and date of issue. This information is found in the ECA report.

What to Do if My Eca Report Does Not Have an ECA Number?

Note that all ECA reports do not have ECA numbers and it’s normal. The different organization uses different technical jargon for ECA numbers such as ref# or file no. But all ECA number ends with IMM.

File number or reference number on your ECA report that ends with suffix IMM can be used as ECA certificate number

Now, you need to carefully check the reference number or file number on your ECA report.

  • If the reference or file numbers have an IMM suffix, then you can use it for ECA.
  • If there is no number with the suffix IMM, you need to contact your ECA organization and upgrade your report. It will cost additional charges

I Have Two ECA Reports, Should I Add Both?

According to the CIC website, you can provide details of more than one ECA report. Here are two conditions that you must fulfill before you enlist them.

First, the duration of one of the degrees or certificates should be 3 or more years.

Second, you need to have a separate ECA report of each education.

For example, you got ECA done with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees under one report. Then you need to provide only one ECA certificate number provided on your report.

But if you got two separate ECA reports for different education credentials. Then you need to provide the ECA number of both reports to get maximum points.

You can easily add more than one education credential following the instruction on the official website.

more than ECA certificate number

How Many Points You Can Earn With ECA Under FSW?

You can visit the official website to check how many points you can earn with ECA under FSW.

According to CIC, you can earn a maximum of 25 points under the Federal Skilled Worker Program factor points. And the points vary depending on your Canadian equivalent qualification.

You will earn points according to your highest education. See the table to find how many points you will earn with ECA under FSW.

Education levelFSW points
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level25
University degree at the Master’s level23
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees22
Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years)21
Two-year degree, diploma or certificate19
One-year degree, diploma or certificate15
Secondary school (high school diploma)5

How many points you can earn with ECA under Comprehensive Ranking System?

The points table for ECA under the comprehensive ranking system is not very different. Similar to FSW, you are rewarded points based on your highest education qualification.

You can visit the official website to check how many points you can earn with ECA. A table is provided below to give you a general idea.

Education levelPoints Awarded With SpousePoints Awarded Without Spouse
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level140150
Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession126135
University degree at the Master’s level126135
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees119128
Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years)112120
Two-year degree, diploma or certificate9198
One-year degree, diploma or certificate8490
Secondary school (high school diploma)2830

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