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Getting an ECA through IQAS with a bachelor's plus MBA — what to watch for

Canada • Express Entry • immigration 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • University/HEC/MOFA attestation

    Attestation of degree documents from your university, HEC, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — required before submitting to IQAS.

  • IQAS Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report

    Assesses your foreign credentials against Canadian standards for Express Entry.

Step-by-Step

For applicants with attested degrees ready to apply for an ECA through IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service):

  1. Follow the process exactly as laid out on the official IQAS website — it details required documents, submission method, and fees, and is the authoritative source rather than forum summaries.

  2. Be aware that having two credentials (e.g., a 2-year BCOM plus a 3.5-year MBA) doesn't automatically mean both get assessed as separate, equally weighted degrees. Community experience suggests IQAS may not always award a full separate 'master's equivalency' for an MBA on top of a bachelor's — the combined assessment outcome can differ from what applicants expect.

  3. Don't assume your ECA outcome for Express Entry education points until you have the report in hand. If your ECA comes back assessing your credentials differently than expected (e.g., not confirming full master's-level equivalency), you may need to recalculate your CRS education points accordingly.


ECA outcomes depend on your specific transcripts and program structure, so treat this as a heads-up to review your documents carefully — not a guarantee of a particular result.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Follow IQAS's official website procedure step by step for document submission — it's the authoritative source, not forum summaries.
  • Tip: Don't assume a bachelor's plus MBA will both be assessed at full separate value — some applicants have received a lower combined equivalency than expected.
  • Don't: Don't calculate your CRS education points based on assumed ECA results — wait for the actual IQAS report before finalizing your Express Entry profile.

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