Do I Need Hard Copies of Language Tests and ECA Results for Canadian Immigration Express Entry?
To create an Express Entry profile for Canadian immigration, you do not need to have the hard copies of your language test results or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) results in hand at the time of application. However, you must ensure that you have received the results and that they are valid.
Language Test
For proof of language proficiency, you must provide your test scores through an approved examination such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French. While you can enter these scores into the Express Entry profile, there is no requirement to upload the actual test documents at this stage.
ECA Report
An ECA report is necessary to verify your educational credentials. You must have this completed by a designated organization. Similarly, you can include your ECA details in your profile without needing to submit the physical document immediately.
Documentation Later
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency, you will need to provide the official documents as part of the application process. It is advisable to have these assessments completed before creating your profile, ensuring that you accurately represent your qualifications and language skills.
When creating an account on the World Education Services (WES) platform, you need to list Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as one of the recipients of your ECA report. You can upload a soft copy of your ECA report only when you receive an ITA.
Key Documents to Consider
For both language tests and ECA reports, you need to have specific document numbers handy. For your ECA certificate, look at the top right corner, and for your IELTS result, check the bottom right corner of the Test Report Form for the document number.
When creating your Express Entry profile, the necessary document numbers will be needed to correctly represent your educational and language proficiency credentials. After being accepted, you will need to send these physical copies with the application.
It is important to keep these important documents organized and accessible as you navigate the Canadian immigration process.