Which ECA Organization Should You Choose? Comparing WES, IQAS, ICES, CES & ICAS
If you’re planning to apply for Canada PR, choosing the right ECA organization is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. And trust me, after handling hundreds of ECA cases, I’ve seen how choosing the wrong organization can delay someone’s PR by months.
So today, let me make this easy for you.
I’m going to explain each ECA body in a simple, practical, real-world way — not the confusing definitions you find on Google. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which ECA organization is right for you.
What Are the Approved ECA Organizations?
IRCC accepts ECA reports from these official bodies:
- WES – World Education Services
- IQAS – International Qualifications Assessment Service
- ICES – International Credential Evaluation Service
- CES – Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
- ICAS – International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- MCC (for medical professionals)
- PEBC (for pharmacists)
For most people, the comparison is between the top five — WES, IQAS, ICES, CES, and ICAS.
Let’s break them down one by one.
1. WES (World Education Services) — The Most Popular Choice
Why People Choose WES:
WES is the fastest, most widely used, and recognized ECA body.
It’s also the first choice for a majority of Indian applicants.
Pros:
✔ Fast processing (usually 20–35 days)
✔ Simple documentation
✔ Most universities already familiar with WES process
✔ Easy online tracking
Cons:
✘ Strict guidelines — they reject many cases
✘ Doesn’t accept some distance-learning programs
✘ High volume = occasional delays
Best For:
- IT professionals
- Engineers
- MBA holders
- Most general degrees
- Applicants who want the fastest result
If you want speed, choose WES.
2. IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
Why People Choose IQAS:
IQAS is known for being more accepting of degrees that WES rejects — especially distance education or open university programs.
Pros:
✔ More lenient with non-traditional degrees
✔ Transparent evaluation method
✔ Good for applicants rejected by WES
Cons:
✘ Slower (average 12–16 weeks)
✘ Limited customer support
✘ Long queues during peak seasons
Best For:
- Distance education degree holders
- Open university students
- Candidates with complex education history
If you worry WES might reject your degree, IQAS is a safe option.
3. ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service)
Why People Choose ICES:
ICES has become popular because it provides stable evaluation results and is less strict than WES.
Pros:
✔ Balanced processing time (8–12 weeks)
✔ Accepts many diplomas rejected by WES
✔ Known for accurate assessment
Cons:
✘ Slow during high-demand periods
✘ Limited support
✘ Not the best for multiple degree assessments
Best For:
- Diploma holders
- Polytechnic backgrounds
- People with technical or vocational education
If your education is practical or diploma-based, ICES works well.
4. CES (Comparative Education Service — University of Toronto)
Why People Choose CES:
CES is highly respected for giving fair equivalency, especially for Master’s degrees.
Pros:
✔ Often gives higher equivalency (e.g., some PG Diplomas = Canadian Master’s)
✔ Trusted by IRCC
✔ Good for applicants with multiple qualifications
Cons:
✘ Long processing time (12–20 weeks)
✘ More expensive
✘ Documentation requirements are strict
Best For:
- PG Diploma holders
- Two-year Master’s programs
- People targeting higher CRS through better equivalency
If your goal is higher CRS through education, consider CES.
5. ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada)
Why People Choose ICAS:
ICAS is reliable and fair but mainly preferred by applicants whose degrees don’t fit well with other agencies.
Pros:
✔ Good for older degrees
✔ Accepts some credentials others don’t
✔ Detailed evaluation
Cons:
✘ Slowest ECA body (20–30+ weeks)
✘ Very long queues
✘ Not ideal for urgent Express Entry profiles
Best For:
- Applicants with older degree patterns
- Very unique or less common educational backgrounds
Choose ICAS only if needed — it’s slow but reliable.
Which ECA Agency Should YOU Choose?
Let me give you my honest suggestion based on real cases:
- If you want FASTEST result → Choose WES
- If you have distance education → Choose IQAS
- If you have diplomas or vocational courses → Choose ICES
- If you want maximum CRS score → Choose CES
- If your degree is old or unique → Choose ICAS
Quick Comparison Table
| ECA Agency | Speed | Strictness | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WES | Fast | High | Most applicants | Best overall |
| IQAS | Moderate | Low | Distance learning | Good acceptance |
| ICES | Medium | Medium | Diplomas | Stable results |
| CES | Slow | Medium | PG / Master’s | Higher equivalency |
| ICAS | Very Slow | Low | Old degrees | Only if necessary |
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the right ECA organization is not about blindly following Google suggestions — it’s about understanding your education background and applying where you have the highest chance of getting a strong evaluation without delays.
I’ve seen many applicants regret their choice after wasting 2–3 months.
Don’t let that happen to you.
If you need help selecting the right ECA body based on your education, I’m here to guide you personally.
Need Personal Help Choosing Your ECA Organization?
I can help you decide the best option based on:
✔ Your degree type
✔ Your university
✔ Your career field
✔ Your PR goals
✔ Your timeline
Just reach out, and I’ll guide you step-by-step.
👉 Click Contact / WhatsApp Now — Let’s Start Your ECA the Right Way.