Degree Assessment

[Mustafa83]

Hi, I have a small question.

I am planning to apply for PR in Canada and was wondering if it is better to have my qualifications assessed before creating a profile, or I can do it once selected, since i will have 90 days to prepare and submit documents.

Also, do I have to assess both my Bachelor's Degree (Azerbaijan) and Master's Degree (UK) or the lats one will suffice. I know that the official website states that it is applicant's discretion, but wanted to hear from people who have done this.

Thanks in advance.

Mustafa

 

[hishamx87]

You cannot submit your express entry profile without ECA reference number. You can get your last qualification assessed and it should suffice the requirement.

 

[Mustafa83]

I think I can get a reference number once I register with one of the assessing entities.

 

[rehanacca]

You must pass IELTS test and get ECA done before submitting your profile. If you choose to get it done via WES, then it would take around 6-8 calendar weeks to have your report.

WES costs same regardless of number of qualifications being evaluated. But in most cases, it's pretty difficult to get a good recognition for local qualifications unless it's from tier 1 country.

For your both degrees, i would suggest you to check WES online tool. My 3 years UK Bachelor was given 4 years Canadian Bachelor equivalency. So, i guess you might get Canadian masters equivalency for your UK masters. But again, you need to check the online tool to confirm. As far as local degree is concerned, if you are getting highest points from your foreign qualifications, it's OK not to get local qualification evaluated since it's usually pretty time consuming. Like i had enough foreign qualifications to earn me 2 Canadian bachelors equivalency so i didn't even bother to get my Pakistani bachelor evaluated.

 

[Mustafa83]

You must pass IELTS test and get ECA done before submitting your profile. If you choose to get it done via WES, then it would take around 6-8 calendar weeks to have your report.

WES costs same regardless of number of qualifications being evaluated. But in most cases, it's pretty difficult to get a good recognition for local qualifications unless it's from tier 1 country.

For your both degrees, i would suggest you to check WES online tool. My 3 years UK Bachelor was given 4 years Canadian Bachelor equivalency. So, i guess you might get Canadian masters equivalency for your UK masters. But again, you need to check the online tool to confirm. As far as local degree is concerned, if you are getting highest points from your foreign qualifications, it's OK not to get local qualification evaluated since it's usually pretty time consuming. Like i had enough foreign qualifications to earn me 2 Canadian bachelors equivalency so i didn't even bother to get my Pakistani bachelor evaluated.

Thanks for the information. I was also thinking of assessing my UK Master's Degree since it does not requrie many documents and simple copy will suffice.

By the way you mentioned in your signature that you have increased your IELTS score. Do I undertsnad it correctly and you can update the information in you express entry application after submission?

 

[Mustafa83]

Another question. I need to assess my qualification and my wife's. It is not possible to assess both in one application, is it?

 

[Tinevisce]

Thanks for the information. I was also thinking of assessing my UK Master's Degree since it does not requrie many documents and simple copy will suffice.

By the way you mentioned in your signature that you have increased your IELTS score. Do I undertsnad it correctly and you can update the information in you express entry application after submission?

The way it works is: Once you have your IELTS score and your WES report, you can create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile which basically gets you into the pool of applicants with an application number and CRS score. The EOI profile is valid for 12 months.

If your CRS score is equal to or greater than the CRS score cutoff for any subsequent draw within these 12 months, you are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Should you choose to accept the invite, you'll then be able to create the formal PR application: if all goes well, your application gets accepted and you get PR status.

Now: after creating your EOI profile and before getting your ITA you can change your details around howsoever times you wish. In fact, you're expected to in case anything about your profile changes (this can range from any language results such as an improved IELTS score to a change in marital status or even the addition of any Provincial Nomination).
After you get the ITA, I don't think you'll be able to or should change your profile around. Hope this helps!

 

[Tinevisce]

Another question. I need to assess my qualification and my wife's. It is not possible to assess both in one application, is it?

No: you and your wife will have separate applications, reports and fees. Two different reference numbers and report numbers. However, once you've put in the required documents in separate envelopes (one for you and one for your wife, labelled appropriately with the respective reference numbers) you can choose to put both inside a ginormous outer envelope addressed to WES. This way, at least you'll be able to save up on courier fees.

 

[Mustafa83]

Tinevisce, thanks for detailed information.

 

[Mustafa83]

I have another question. WEC requires appostilled degree certificates.
However, my local degree was notarized and legalazied back in 2004 when there was no appostile.
Any idea if they will accept such document?