Getting an HEC-attested degree assessed (ECA) for Canada
Pakistani graduates planning to immigrate to Canada must prove their academic qualifications match Canadian standards. This verification is called a Canada educational credential assessment eca. For degrees earned in Pakistan, the process requires navigating specific steps with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) before any Canadian agency will evaluate the documents.
Understanding how to get educational credential assessment for canada saves months of delays and unnecessary fees. The process involves multiple government bodies in Pakistan and Canada, each with strict rules about how documents must be handled, sealed, and sent. If you make a single mistake in how your documents are packaged, you will likely have to pay the fees again and start the entire process from scratch.
Why Canada requires HEC verification before evaluating your degree
Canadian immigration authorities and credential evaluation services do not assess raw degrees directly from applicants. To prevent fraud and ensure that the awarding institution is fully accredited, Canadian agencies rely on the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to perform the initial vetting.
The HEC operates as the central clearinghouse for higher education in Pakistan. When you apply for a credential assessment, Canadian evaluation services require that your transcripts and degree certificates be attested by the HEC and sent in a specific, tamper-evident sealed envelope. If you send your documents directly to Canada without this HEC seal, the assessment agency will reject them immediately.
This requirement applies to all public and private universities recognized by the HEC. For those who completed their education through an affiliated college, the degree must still be issued by the parent university, and the HEC must attest that specific university's documents. If your university has closed since you graduated, the process becomes more complex, requiring you to track down successor records before seeking HEC verification. You can read more about handling these situations in our guide on getting an ECA when your school closed or your records are lost.
Selecting the right Canadian assessment agency for your profile
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) designates specific organizations to provide ECAs for immigration purposes. You can find the complete list of designated ECA organizations on canada.ca.
The most common canada educational credential assessment agencies used by Pakistani applicants include:
- World Education Services (WES)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- Comparative Education Service (CES) at the University of Toronto
For general skilled immigration through Express Entry or various Provincial Nominee Programs, WES is often the default choice for Pakistani applicants due to its relatively fast processing times. However, other agencies might be more suitable depending on your specific province of destination or profession. For example, healthcare professionals and pharmacists must use specialized bodies like the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.
Before choosing, it is wise to compare processing times, costs, and specific requirements. You can review our comparison of [educational credential