If you earned your degree, diploma, or trade certification outside Canada, getting it recognized here is one of the most important steps toward landing a job in your field. Understanding which credential evaluation service to use, and why, can save you weeks of delay and help you present your qualifications confidently to Canadian employers and licensing bodies.
Quick takeaways
- ICAS, WES, IQAS, and ICES are all designated by IRCC for Express Entry credential evaluations
- The right service depends on your profession, your province of settlement, and your specific career goal
- Regulated professions such as engineering, nursing, and skilled trades require recognition from the relevant licensing body, not just a general evaluator
- Most Canadian employers in non-regulated fields accept credential evaluations from any IRCC-designated organization
- Bridging programs can help you close skills gaps and connect with employers while your credentials are being assessed
What Is ICAS and How Does Credential Recognition Work in Canada?
The International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) is one of several organizations designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to evaluate foreign academic credentials. When you apply through Express Entry or another federal immigration stream, IRCC requires that your educational credentials be assessed by a recognized organization to verify how they compare to Canadian educational standards.
Credential recognition in Canada operates on two levels. The first is a general academic evaluation that tells you and potential employers what your degree or diploma is equivalent to in Canada. The second level, required for regulated professions, is a separate licensing process managed by provincial regulatory bodies such as Engineers Canada, the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), or provincial apprenticeship offices for skilled trades.
For most Express Entry applicants, you will need at least the first type of evaluation. Immigration professionals commonly refer to this as an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Why the Service You Choose Matters
Each evaluation organization follows its own methodology, sets its own turnaround times, and charges its own fees. Employers and licensing bodies also have varying familiarity with each one. Choosing a service that does not meet a licensing body's specific requirements means extra steps, extra cost, and delays before your application reaches a hiring manager.
IRCC's Designated Organizations for Express Entry
As of the most recent IRCC guidance, the following organizations are designated for Express Entry ECAs:
- ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada)
- WES (World Education Services)
- IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service, Alberta)
- ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service, BC)
- CES (Comparative Education Service, University of Toronto)
- NIES (National Institute of Education)
For medical doctors, the Medical Council of Canada handles credential recognition through a separate process.
ICAS vs. WES vs. IQAS vs. ICES: How They Compare
All four main services on IRCC's designated list can produce a valid Educational Credential Assessment for immigration purposes, but they differ in ways that matter for your job search.
ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada)
ICAS is based in Guelph, Ontario and is well-regarded for evaluating credentials from a wide range of countries. It is accepted by IRCC and by many Ontario employers and colleges. Standard processing typically takes two to three weeks, with rush options available for an additional fee.
ICAS is a strong choice if you are settling in Ontario, planning to enter a college-level bridging or upgrading program, or if your credentials are from a country where ICAS has deep assessment experience, including many African, South Asian, and Eastern European countries.
WES (World Education Services)
WES is arguably the most widely recognized credential evaluator in Canada and the United States. It is accepted by IRCC, most Canadian universities for graduate admissions, and many licensing bodies and employers across all provinces. The WES course-by-course evaluation is particularly valuable if you plan to pursue a graduate program or a second credential in Canada.
WES is generally the safest choice for applicants who plan to work across multiple provinces, apply to graduate programs, or who want the broadest possible employer recognition. Standard turnaround is typically four to seven weeks.
IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
IQAS is administered by the Alberta government and is the natural choice if you plan to settle in Alberta. It is also accepted by IRCC for Express Entry. Fees tend to be lower than WES, and the service is well-integrated with Alberta's provincial credential recognition processes.
If Alberta is your destination and your profession is not regulated, IQAS is a practical and cost-effective option.
ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service)
ICES is run by BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) and is the preferred evaluator for newcomers settling in British Columbia. Like the others, it is designated by IRCC for Express Entry. ICES also has strong familiarity with credentials from Asia-Pacific countries, which reflects the demographics of many BC communities.
If British Columbia is your destination, ICES carries the strongest local recognition and integrates well with BC's post-secondary and employer networks.
What Canadian Regulators and Employers Actually Accept
Understanding what credential evaluation organizations produce is only half the picture. What matters equally is who accepts those evaluations and for what purpose.
For Regulated Professions
If your target career falls into a regulated profession such as engineering, nursing, pharmacy, teaching, social work, or skilled trades, your credential evaluation is the starting point, not the finish line. Canadian regulatory bodies have their own recognition process, and they specify which evaluators they accept at each step.
For engineering, provincial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), APEGA in Alberta, or Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) conduct their own technical assessments. Most require a WES or ICAS evaluation as part of your initial application, combined with a detailed review of your engineering-specific coursework.
For nursing, the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) operates as a centralized intake system that routes your file to the provincial nursing college where you intend to practise. NNAS has its own document requirements and does not rely primarily on general credential evaluators like ICAS or WES for its core assessment.
For skilled trades, provincial apprenticeship offices and the Red Seal Interprovincial Standards Program assess trade qualifications directly. If you hold a foreign trade certification, contact the relevant provincial apprenticeship authority before spending money on a general ECA, as requirements vary widely by trade and province.
For Non-Regulated Jobs
For non-regulated roles, including most business, marketing, technology, finance, and administrative positions, Canadian employers generally accept credential evaluations from any IRCC-designated organization. An ICAS or WES evaluation that states your credentials are equivalent to a Canadian bachelor's degree is typically sufficient for HR screening purposes.
That said, WES carries the strongest name recognition among HR professionals across Canada, particularly in large corporations and the federal public service. If you are uncertain which service your target employers prefer, WES is the lower-risk choice.
Choosing the Right Evaluation Service for Your Career Goal
Engineering
Use WES or ICAS as your general ECA for Express Entry, then contact the provincial engineering association where you plan to practise as early as possible. The licensing timeline for internationally trained engineers can run from several months to over a year, so starting both processes at the same time is a smart move. The Engineers Canada website lists each provincial association and its specific requirements for foreign-trained engineers.
Nursing
Apply to NNAS first, as it is the required intake channel for internationally educated nurses applying to most provincial nursing colleges. Your NNAS assessment will specify what additional documentation or bridging is required before your application moves forward. Confirm whether your target provincial college requires a general ECA before committing to WES or ICAS fees.
Skilled Trades
Contact the provincial apprenticeship authority directly. In Ontario, that is Skilled Trades Ontario. In Alberta, it is Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. These bodies will tell you exactly which trades are in scope, what documents you need, and whether a general credential evaluation is part of the process.
General Office, Business, and Technology Roles
Either WES or ICAS will serve you well for non-regulated positions. If cost is a factor, compare current fees on each organization's website before applying. If you plan to work primarily in Alberta, IQAS is a practical choice. If you are settling in BC, ICES is the most locally recognized option and may process your application faster than services headquartered in other provinces.
Using Your Credential Evaluation in Your Job Search
Once you have your credential evaluation report in hand, integrate it directly into your job search materials.
Include the evaluation result in your resume and cover letter. A clear statement such as "Canadian equivalency: Bachelor of Science (Honours), as assessed by ICAS" signals your qualifications immediately to hiring managers who may not be familiar with your home country's education system. This one line can prevent your application from being filtered out during initial screening.
When a job posting requires a Canadian degree or diploma, your evaluation report is the document that satisfies that requirement. If a recruiter raises questions about your credentials during a phone screen, offer to share your evaluation report as part of the interview process. Most Canadian hiring managers appreciate the transparency.
Employers who hire through bridging programs, which are government-funded initiatives that match internationally trained professionals with employers in their field, are already familiar with credential assessments and expect to see them. Connecting through these programs can shorten your job search timeline considerably.
NewcomerTalentHub.ca lists job postings across Canada that welcome internationally educated candidates. Using the site's search tools alongside your credential evaluation can help you identify openings where employers are already prepared to assess your international background before your application lands on their desk.
Bridging Programs That Can Speed Up Your Pathway
Bridging programs are employer-linked training initiatives designed to help internationally trained professionals enter their field in Canada faster. They typically combine technical upgrading, Canadian workplace experience, and direct networking with employers who are actively hiring.
Some well-established programs to explore include:
- ACCES Employment (Ontario): Sector-specific bridging programs for engineering, finance, IT, and supply chain roles.
- TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (Toronto): Pairs newcomers with experienced Canadian professionals in their field for one-on-one guidance.
- Success at Work (BC): Connects internationally trained workers with BC employers through sector-focused programming.
- Immigrant Access Fund (multiple provinces): Provides small loans to help newcomers cover credential recognition fees and licensing costs when funds are a barrier.
Many bridging programs require you to have an active credential evaluation on file before your application is reviewed. Having your ICAS or WES report ready when you apply can reduce the time before you are matched with a participating employer.
For job postings organized by sector and targeted at internationally educated candidates, visit the NewcomerTalentHub.ca job seekers page to browse current openings and identify employers in your field who are actively welcoming newcomers.
FAQ
Does it matter which credential evaluation service I use for Express Entry?
For Express Entry immigration purposes, any IRCC-designated organization works. ICAS, WES, IQAS, ICES, CES, and NIES are all accepted. The choice becomes significant when Canadian employers, licensing bodies, or universities have a preference for a specific evaluator. WES tends to carry the broadest recognition outside of the immigration context, making it the lower-risk option if you are unsure.
Can I use an ICAS evaluation to apply for regulated professions like engineering?
You can submit your ICAS evaluation as part of your initial application to a provincial engineering association, but the association will conduct its own technical assessment of your engineering-specific credentials. The ICAS report satisfies the general education verification step, not the professional licensing review itself. Check with your target provincial engineering association for their complete requirements.
How long does it take to get a credential evaluation from ICAS or WES?
ICAS standard processing typically takes two to three weeks. WES standard processing typically takes four to seven weeks. Both services offer expedited options for an additional fee. Processing times can vary depending on how quickly your home institution responds to the verification requests that both organizations send as part of their authentication process.
What documents do I need to submit for a credential evaluation?
Most organizations require your original transcripts or notarized copies, your degree or diploma certificate, official translations if your documents are not in English or French, and a completed application form. Review the specific requirements on ICAS's or WES's website before submitting your application, as document requirements vary by country and by the type of credential being assessed.
Will Canadian employers accept a credential evaluation from a foreign service?
IRCC only designates Canadian organizations for Express Entry ECAs. For job applications in Canada, employers expect evaluations from IRCC-designated Canadian organizations. Evaluations from U.S. or other international services are generally not accepted for Canadian immigration or hiring purposes, so plan to use one of the Canadian services listed in this post.
Is ICAS recognized outside of Ontario?
Yes. While ICAS is headquartered in Ontario, its evaluations are accepted by IRCC nationally and by employers and institutions across Canada. That said, IQAS and ICES carry stronger local recognition in Alberta and BC respectively. If you know your destination province before applying, choosing the regionally stronger service can give your application a small but real advantage with local employers and colleges.
Getting your credentials recognized is one of the most concrete steps you can take toward a job in your field in Canada. Whether you choose ICAS, WES, IQAS, or ICES depends on your province, your profession, and your career goals, and now you have a clear framework to make that decision with confidence. Ready to take the next step? Visit NewcomerTalentHub.ca at https://newcomertalenthub.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile.
