Credential Evaluation with IQAS

What is IQAS?

IQAS, which stands for International Qualifications Assessment Service, is an Alberta government service provided in Canada. It assesses credentials obtained from educational institutions outside Canada and determines how they compare to Canadian standards. 

IQAS is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for immigration purposes, including Express Entry. 

The service validates your degrees, diplomas, or certificates for Canada immigration purposes, job applications, or admission. 

IQAS provides three types of services:

• General Assessment for employment, education, or licensure purposes

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for various immigration programs

• Educational Pre-Assessment (EPA); an advisory, information-only comparison for programmes you have not yet completed.

Unlike other services like WES or CES, IQAS may be more useful for people whose educational qualifications are less commonly evaluated or whose WES evaluation in Canada returns less favourable results.

Who needs to use IQAS degree evaluation?

You need an IQAS for your foreign educational credentials to be recognised if you apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, seeking admission, and other processes. Here are the key groups who benefit from using IQAS:

Immigration applicants (Express Entry & Provincial Nominee Programs)

If you’re applying for permanent residence through Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove that your foreign education meets Canadian standards. 

It also increases your chances of being invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. 

International students seeking academic recognition

Some post-secondary institutions may request an assessment of your previous studies to determine if you meet their Canadian university application requirements. If required by a school or program, an IQAS credential evaluation can help verify and issue certificates that compare your educational record with Canadian standards.

Professionals seeking licensure or employment

If you’re a professional looking to enter the Canadian workforce, an IQAS assessment can help employers or certain regulatory bodies understand the value of your international qualifications. This is especially helpful if you're applying for jobs in non-regulated or regulated fields where the employer or licensing body accepts IQAS assessments for credential equivalency.

Anyone needing to verify foreign education in Canada

Even if you're not immigrating or studying immediately, an IQAS assessment may still be helpful in the verification process, for example, when:

• Applying for jobs that require proof of education

• Joining professional associations

• Completing your personal or official records.

IQAS provides a way to bridge the gap between your education abroad and the expectations in Canada. 

Recommended Reading 

Credential Evaluation with ECE(Educational Credential Evaluators)

Credentials IQAS does not assess

Before you apply, check that your credential is eligible. IQAS fees are non-refundable, even if your application is cancelled, so submitting an ineligible credential means losing your application fee. IQAS will not assess:

• Anything below secondary / high school level (e.g., primary or elementary school)

• Non-academic credentials (e.g., Microsoft Excel training, workplace certifications)

• Professional qualifications (e.g., Chartered Accountant designation, CPA)

• Vocational or trades training (e.g., a diesel mechanics programme or plumbing apprenticeship)

• Credentials from institutions that are not recognised or accepted by IQAS

• Credentials that cannot be authenticated

• Credentials that do not include graduation or convocation confirmation

If you are a Physician or Specialist Physician applying to immigrate and intending to get a licence to practice in Canada, your credentials must be assessed by the Medical Council of Canada not IQAS. On the other hand, if you are a Pharmacist intending to get a licence to practice in Canada, your credentials must be assessed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, not IQAS.

Tip: Always check whether your specific institution is recognised by IQAS before applying. When you search for your institution in the IQAS portal, a warning will appear if recognition is uncertain.

How to apply for IQAS assessment

Applying for credential evaluation with IQAS can be done online. You’ll have to create an account on the IQAS portal, submit documents, and receive the assessment reports. Here’s what’s involved in each step:

Decide which credentials you want assessed

The IQAS assessment is for completed or awarded formal academic and technical educational credentials from recognised institutions outside Canada. So, if you have trade, vocational, or professional training certificates, you cannot use the IQAS credential evaluation services. Additionally, if you are seeking employment, education, or licensure, you might not need an IQAS unless it’s requested by your institution, employer, or professional body. You can check if you need a degree evaluation.

• Educational institutions that accept IQAS assessments

• Professional regulatory organisations that accept IQAS assessments.

Document preparation

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and the credentials you need assessed, you must gather all documents required. Ensure they are complete, original, and in good shape. Here are some documents you must submit 

• Academic transcripts.

• Academic certificates.

• Passport, identity pages, or alternative government-issued identification (if passport is unavailable)

• Proof of name change (if applicable)

• For Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, upload a clear scan or photo of the PhD degree and the thesis cover page if applicable.

• Document translations, if they are not in English or French.

Country-specific requirements might also include additional documents. If you are using the IQAS assessment for employment or licensing, you must provide all the necessary documents based on the requirements stated on the official website. 

Create an IQAS account

Visit the IQAS application portal and enter your details to create an account. Creating the account allows you to access the IQAS full form, upload your documents, get helpful guides like the checklist, and receive notifications on the process. You also complete payments for the IQAS fees through the account.

Submit your application

Once your account is created, fill out the IQAS request form with relevant information like: 

• Personal information (name, date of birth, gender, contact info)

• Immigration or non-immigration purpose for the assessment

• Educational history (list of all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, certificates, etc.)

• Language of instruction at each institution

• If applicable, your IRCC reference number (for Express Entry applicants)

Also, ensure that you choose the right type of IQAS assessment during the application process. For example, if you need the credential evaluation for Express Entry, select the IQAS assessment for immigration option. You cannot use the IQAS for immigration if the purpose of your application is for employment, license, or education. You can provide electronic transcripts or send copies directly from your institution. If you choose the latter, ensure the transcript is sent in a sealed envelope directly from the institution. 

Pay IQAS fees

You must pay the credential evaluation fees required online. The fees often range from $130 to $260 for the application, depending on the type of assessment needed. You also have to pay administrative and courier fees. IQAS accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or a Debit card to pay application fees online.

Receive the IQAS assessment report

After submitting your application, the IQAS will verify the documents and provide an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) certificate. If you prefer an electronic copy, you can download the assessment report online through the IQAS application portal. However, the IQAS can also mail the certificate to you via courier services.

Link your ECA report number to your IRCC profile (For Express Entry applicants)

If you’re applying through Express Entry, IQAS will include a unique reference number on your report (starts with “IQAS Ref. No.”). You'll need to:

• Enter this number in the Education section of your Express Entry profile

• Make sure the name and credential information match what you’ve entered in your IRCC application.

IQAS also sends your report electronically to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if you include your IRCC reference number during the application. 

However, you must ensure everything is linked correctly and reflected in your Express Entry profile.

IQAS mailing address and contact information

If you are unable to upload documents online, you can mail them to the IQAS mailing address:

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

9th Floor, 108 Street Building

9942 108 Street NW

Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J5

Canada

Include your IQAS reference number on the envelope. Always send documents via tracked or registered mail and keep your tracking number.

IQAS contact details:

• Phone (within Alberta): 780-427-2655

• Toll-free (within Alberta): 310-0000, then dial 780-427-2655

• Outside Alberta/Canada: +1 780-427-2655

• Contact form: available at alberta.ca/iqas-contact

Note: IQAS does not respond to status inquiries if your application is within the posted processing times. Use the online portal to track your application instead.

IQAS vs Other Credential Evaluation Services

Aside from IQAS, there are other designated organisations to help you get your foreign education credentials recognised in Canada. Let’s compare them side by side;

All processing times above are approximate and change frequently. Always check each service's official website for current figures before applying.

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IQAS processing time 2026

All IQAS assessment types: ECA for immigration, employment, education, and licensure, now take approximately 15 business days to process.

Two important details about how the clock works:

• The 15-business-day clock starts when your application reaches “In line for processing” status in the IQAS portal, not when you submit your documents.

• Courier and mail delivery time is NOT included in the processing time.

What happens if your application is marked “Pending”?

• Immigration ECA: the application is held for 6 months pending additional documents, after which it is reviewed for cancellation.

• Employment, education, or licensure assessments: the application is held for 5 business days pending additional documents, after which it is reviewed for cancellation.

IQAS rush service (immigration and employment)

Rush processing is now available for ECA immigration applications as well as employment and licensure assessments:

• ECA immigration rush: 5-7 business days

• Basic assessment rush: 5-7 business days

• Educational Institution or Specialised assessment rush: 6-8 business days

• Rush fee: $250, plus the standard application, administration, and courier fees

Note: IQAS caps the number of daily rush ECA applications for immigration purposes. Once the daily limit is reached, it resets at 8:15 am Mountain Standard Time the following day. If the limit has been reached, you can either wait until the next day or submit a regular (non-rush) application.

Rush processing is not guaranteed if the assessment requires extensive research or institutional verification, or if the application is incomplete. If IQAS cannot complete the rush assessment, the application is cancelled and the rush service fee is not refunded.

Processing times for all assessment types are estimates. They might take longer depending on factors like additional document requests and application volumes. You can track the progress and get updates directly from your IQAS application portal account.

IQAS fees (2026)

In 2025, the IQAS fees range from $130 to $260, depending on the purpose and type of evaluation required. 

IQAS fees for Canadian immigration

• Application fee: $260

• Administration fee: $25

• Courier fee: $25 for a Canadian address and $90 for an international address.

IQAS fees for license, employment, and education

• Assessment for employment (Basic): $130

• Assessment for admission to post-secondary education: $160

• Assessment for professional licensure (specialised): $230

• Administration fee: $25

• Courier fee: $25 for a Canadian address and $90 for an international address.

• Rush services: $250 plus application, administration, and courier fees.

Educational Pre-Assessment (EPA) fee

• EPA fee: $200 (non-refundable), covering up to 3 programmes of study per application.

• Processing time: approximately 15 business days. No rush service is available.

• The EPA is for information purposes only and cannot be used for immigration, employment, further study, or professional licensing (see the dedicated EPA section below).

Additional information 

• The application fee is for one credential. 

• Additional credentials submitted cost $100 per credential. 

• If two applicants apply from the same household, each applicant must submit a separate application. This means you pay separate application, administration, and courier fees. 

• Fee refund requests will not be considered, as application fees cover the cost of processing, regardless of the outcome. 

• If you are unsatisfied with your IQAS assessment report, you can submit a request for reassessment. All requests for IQAS reassessment cost $200.

• Sometimes, the IQAS evaluates only your highest level of educational qualification. For example, if you have a Master's degree, you only need an assessment for that qualification.

Note: IQAS states, “One credential is defined as one educational program (fully completed) leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree and includes the submission of official degree, diploma, or certificate and the corresponding academic transcript or marks sheet.”

 Illustration of a man evaluating a credential for iqas

What is the IQAS Educational Pre-Assessment (EPA)?

The Educational Pre-Assessment (EPA) is a separate IQAS service for people currently enrolled in or planning to enrol in an educational programme outside Canada. It provides a general Canadian comparison of the programmes you list, based on information available at the time.

Key facts about the EPA:

• The EPA is advisory and for information purposes only, it is NOT a formal credential assessment

• It CANNOT be used for immigration, employment, professional licensing, or further study in Canada

• No educational documents are required, IQAS does not review any documents you submit

• Fee: $200 (non-refundable), covering up to 3 programmes of study

• Processing time: approximately 15 business days; no rush service is available

• IQAS delivers the EPA by email only.

• EPAs are not eligible for reassessment, and duplicate copies are not available

EPA is useful for prospective students who want to understand how their future credential may compare to Canadian standards before completing a programme abroad. 

Translation requirements for IQAS applications 

When applying for IQAS credential evaluation, you must provide all documents in English. Any educational documents not in English or French must be translated before submission. 

For example, if your academic transcript is issued in Spain, you must translate it from Spanish into English for the IQAS assessment. For IQAS applications specifically:

• Translations must be in English or French.

• Translations do NOT need to be certified or notarised.

• Translations must be word-for-word (verbatim) translations of the original document.

• You must upload the translated documents to the IQAS application portal.

• Translations submitted with sealed institutional transcripts must be included inside the sealed envelope when they are sent to IQAS in Canada.

If your documents are also being used for immigration through IRCC (for example, in your Express Entry profile), IRCC may require certified translations for some document types submitted directly to them, even if IQAS itself does not. The safest approach is to use certified translations, which cover both requirements in one go.

Pro Tip: To get the best results, use a professional translator or translation company with a track record of 100% acceptance rates for IRCC and other official purposes. At Translayte, we offer professional translation services in Canada that meet IRCC, IQAS, and other credential evaluation authorities. However, if you need to submit documentation for immigration purposes in Canada, we also offer certified translation services for various documents. Translation rates start from $25 per page, with 24-hour turnaround available to meet tight deadlines.

Request a free quote to get certified translations for IQAS assessment documents. 

Recommended Reading 

Where Can You Find a Canadian Certified Translator?

Tips for a smooth International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) application process

A successful IQAS application requires careful planning and adhering to requirements. Here are common mistakes to avoid and actionable steps:

Choose the correct assessment type

IQAS offers different assessments to evaluate your credentials against Canadian educational standards. If you apply for immigration via Express Entry, use the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) certificate option. In contrast, if you are applying for employment, academic, or professional licensing in Canada, choose the general or specialised assessment options. Each path has unique requirements, so confirm before proceeding to avoid errors. 

Start early

IQAS assessments take approximately 15 business days once your application reaches “In line for processing” status but gathering documents, arranging sealed transcripts, and completing translations can take much longer. Start the process months in advance to ensure you meet application or job deadlines. If you’re on a tight timeline, consider the rush service (5-7 business days for an additional $250), but remember the daily rush limit for immigration ECAs.

Follow document guidelines carefully

IQAS is strict about documentation, especially education documents and how they are submitted. Here are some ways to avoid errors 

• Use the official checklist provided on the IQAS website.

• Transcripts must be sent directly from your institution in a sealed envelope.

• Include word-for-word English or French translations if your documents are in another language (certified translations are not required by IQAS, but use them if your documents will also go to IRCC).

Ensure name consistency across documents

Ensure the name on your application, passport, and educational documents matches. If you've had a name change (e.g., due to marriage), include a legal name change document or affidavit to explain the difference.

Track your application through the portal

After submitting your application, use the IQAS online portal to track status updates. You will be notified of any changes, such as a request for more documents or cancellation. Always respond promptly to requests for additional information to avoid delays. Remember that non-immigration applications are only held for 5 business days in “Pending” status.

Complete payment and keep receipts

Have a valid credit/debit card ready to pay IQAS fees. The application fee is non-refundable, so double-check all details before payment. After payment, you must save a copy of your confirmation and application number for future reference.

Do you need a certified translation for your IQAS application? 

Request a free quote to have your documents translated by Translayte today.