An MBA graduate working in accounts payable, who had already gotten an IQAS master's equivalency for immigration purposes, asked whether having done that ECA would create any issue when separately applying for a Canadian study permit for a PGDM or certificate program.
What the thread confirmed:- An ECA obtained for immigration purposes does not create a problem for a separate study permit application — a member with the identical situation (IQAS ECA already done, then applying to study) confirmed no issues arose.
- These are treated as two independent processes — the ECA supports an immigration profile's education points, while the study permit application is assessed on its own study-plan and eligibility criteria.
The practical takeaway: having an existing ECA for immigration purposes is not a conflict when you also apply for a study permit — the two applications are evaluated independently, so proceed with your study plan without worrying about the earlier ECA.