IRCC to Validate Online Learning For Express Entry ECA Points
In a recent announcement, international students studying for diplomas, certificates and degrees between March 2020 and August 2022 will now qualify for Canadian ECA (educational credential assessment) points if they are completing all or a part of their study program:
- through distance learning
- via part-time studies, or
- from outside Canada
Online learning will now considered valid for calculating Express Entry ECA points for those international students who were unable to attend classes in-person at Canadian universities and colleges due to the global pandemic.
To get the benefits of this temporary measure, IRCC is recommending all the candidates in the Express Entry pool to update their profiles before August 2.
IRCC has notified all the candidates in the Express Entry pool about the new measure by sending them a letter that states:
"This is to notify you that there have been changes to how Express Entry evaluates Canadian education credentials that may impact your Express Entry profile."
"If you have claimed to have a Canadian educational credential, you should update your profile by answering three new questions in the Education History section about the amount of in-person study/training, study/training in Canada and full-time study/training you completed to obtain the credential. If these fields remain incomplete, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points score may drop and you could miss an opportunity to be invited to apply for permanent residence."
"Please update your Express Entry profile by August 2, 2022 to ensure you have the best possible chance to be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry round of invitations."
