Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved a new professional organization in Ottawa on May 22, 2024, to offer educational credential assessments (ECAs) to architects seeking immigration to Canada.
In order to meet eligibility standards, applicants for programs leading to economic permanent residence must demonstrate that their foreign degrees, diplomas, or certificates are authentic and equivalent to Canadian credentials.
To accomplish this, applicants must get an ECA from a professional body or
multi-purpose ECA organization that has been designated by the IRCC.
The Minister has assigned the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) the authority to grant ECAs as of May 20, 2024, to applicants who have indicated that their major or intended vocation is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of “Architect” (NOC 21200). The CACB’s ECAs will establish how international degrees relate to Canadian qualifications required for architectural practice. ECAs are acknowledged as a stage in the architect licensing procedure.
Note: IRCC will continue to accept your ECA if it is still valid if your principal occupation is “Architect”
(NOC 21200) and it was issued by another recognized organization prior to October 31, 2024.