IQAS Translation Requirements
Alberta Government Service | ECA for Immigration | Translation Flexibility | Submission Guide
IQAS requires word-for-word English translations for documents not in English or French. IQAS says translations do not need to be certified or notarized but must come from an objective and reliable source. A certified translation is recommended because it also satisfies IRCC, universities, and employers.
Reviewed by Elena Sokolova
Senior Academic Credential Translation Strategist
“IQAS is the most flexible evaluator on translation requirements, but that flexibility is a trap if you stop at IQAS. Almost everyone who gets an IQAS assessment also needs to submit documents to IRCC, a university, or an employer — and they all want certified translation. Getting it right from the start costs the same and covers everyone.”
Translate for IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
What document do you need translated?
IQAS Translation Requirements: What IQAS Expects for Translated Documents
IQAS requires word-for-word English translations for all academic documents not originally issued in English or French. Because IQAS is an Alberta government service, it accepts both official Canadian languages without translation. For every other language, a complete English translation must accompany the original.
The IQAS translation policy is more flexible than most credential evaluators. IQAS officially states that translations do not need to be certified or notarized. They must, however, come from an "objective and reliable source." That means the applicant should not translate their own documents, but the translator does not need to hold any specific Canadian certification. A professional translation provider, a bilingual colleague outside your family, or any qualified translator can prepare the translation — as long as it is complete, word-for-word, and objective.
Document submission to IQAS works through two channels. If you upload documents to the IQAS portal yourself, upload the translation alongside the original. If your educational institution sends documents directly, the translation must be included inside the sealed institutional envelope. IQAS does not accept translations submitted separately from institution-sent originals.
IQAS expects your translation to include:
- Complete word-for-word translation of every visible element on the original document
- Original grading scales, degree titles, and academic terminology preserved exactly
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated or described
- Translation from an objective and reliable source (not the applicant)
- Both transcript and degree certificate for completed credentials
Official Callouts
Current official IQAS rule
IQAS requires word-for-word English translations for documents not in English or French. Translations do not need to be certified or notarized but must come from an objective and reliable source.
IRCC-designated organization
IQAS is one of five organizations designated by IRCC to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for Canadian immigration, including Express Entry.
Sealed envelope rule
If your institution sends documents directly to IQAS, the English translation must be included inside the sealed institutional envelope.
Why Certified Translation Is Still Recommended for IQAS
IQAS says translations do not need to be certified. So why get a certified translation anyway? Because the IQAS assessment rarely stays with IQAS. The assessment report goes to IRCC for your immigration application, to a provincial licensing board for professional certification, to a university for admissions, or to an employer for hiring. Almost every downstream institution that receives your IQAS assessment also requires or strongly prefers certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy.
If you submit a non-certified translation to IQAS and then your university or IRCC asks for a certified version of the same documents, you end up paying for translation twice. A certified translation from the start is a single purchase that satisfies both IQAS and every downstream receiver.
The quality standard is the same either way. Whether you choose certified or non-certified, IQAS expects complete, word-for-word translations that preserve the original document structure. The difference is that a certified translation adds a signed Certificate of Accuracy — a formal statement from the translator attesting to completeness and accuracy — which is what downstream institutions require.
Standard Requirements
- Word-for-word rendering with no summaries or paraphrasing
- Original document layout preserved — tables, columns, page order
- All seals, stamps, signatures, diacritics, and margin notes translated
- Original grading scale preserved exactly (no conversion to Canadian or U.S. equivalents)
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy included (recommended even though IQAS does not require it)
IQAS vs WES for Canadian immigration — translation comparison
Both IQAS and WES are IRCC-designated organizations for ECAs. This comparison helps you decide which evaluator and translation approach fits your situation.
| Aspect | IQAS | WES |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Government of Alberta (government service) | Private non-profit organization |
| Translation certification | Not required — "objective and reliable source" is sufficient | Professional translator required |
| Bilingual acceptance | Accepts English and French documents without translation | English only; French documents need translation |
| Standard processing | 15–25 business days | 2–4 weeks (varies by country) |
| Base ECA fee | $130–$260 CAD | $220 CAD |
| Rush available | Yes — $250 CAD additional, 5–7 business days | Yes — varies by country and submission type |
A certified translation works for both IQAS and WES. If you are unsure which evaluator you will use, or if you might need both, one certified translation covers both.
How to Submit Your Translation to IQAS
IQAS uses an online portal for applications and document uploads. The submission method for your translation depends on how your original documents reach IQAS — either through the portal or in a sealed institutional envelope.
Create an IQAS account and start the application at alberta.ca
Register at the IQAS portal on the Government of Alberta website. Select the assessment type your receiving institution, employer, or immigration application requires: Basic Assessment, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), or Specialized Assessment.
Prepare your English translation before uploading documents
Have your academic documents translated into English before starting the upload process. IQAS says translations do not need to be certified, but a certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy is recommended because it also works for IRCC, universities, and employers.
Upload documents and translation to the IQAS portal or include in sealed envelope
If you are uploading documents yourself, upload the originals and the English translation together through the IQAS portal. If your educational institution sends documents directly to IQAS, the translation must be included inside the sealed institutional envelope — IQAS does not accept translations submitted separately from institution-sent originals.
Pay the assessment fee
IQAS fees are in Canadian dollars and are non-refundable. Basic Assessment is approximately $200 CAD. ECA ranges from $130 to $260 CAD. Each additional credential adds $100 CAD. Rush processing adds $250 CAD.
Track processing and receive your assessment report
Standard processing takes 15 to 25 business days after all documents are received and your application reaches "in line for processing" status. Rush service completes in 5 to 7 business days. Applications with multiple credentials may take longer. Processing time does not include mail delivery.
Timeline
- IQAS standard processing: 15–25 business days after all documents received
- IQAS rush processing: 5–7 business days ($250 CAD additional)
- Multiple credentials: may take longer than single-credential applications
- Our certified translation: about 24 hours for standard academic records
Pro Tip
If you are applying through Express Entry and need the ECA quickly, have the certified translation ready before creating the IQAS application. Upload everything together so IQAS can start processing immediately. The translation step itself should not be the bottleneck — the 15–25 day IQAS processing window is the longest wait.
Why IQAS Flags Translations — and How to Avoid It
IQAS rejection patterns are primarily about completeness and document matching rather than certification requirements. Because IQAS has flexible translation rules, most problems come from incomplete translations, missing documents, or incorrect sealed envelope handling.
1Translation submitted separately from institution-sent originals
What happens
IQAS cannot match the translation to the original documents and pauses processing.
Why it happens
Applicants have their institution send originals in a sealed envelope but upload the translation separately through the portal. IQAS expects both in the same envelope when documents come from the institution.
How we prevent it
We deliver the translation as a downloadable PDF that you can print and include in the sealed institutional envelope, or upload alongside your portal submission.
2Incomplete translation — missing seals, stamps, or annotations
What happens
IQAS evaluators cannot verify document completeness because the English version is missing visible elements from the original.
Why it happens
Non-professional translations often skip institutional seals, registrar stamps, and margin notes because they seem decorative.
How we prevent it
We translate every visible element on the original document, including watermarks, seal text, and handwritten annotations.
3Summary translation instead of word-for-word rendering
What happens
IQAS flags the translation as incomplete because it paraphrases instead of reproducing the full text.
Why it happens
Since IQAS does not require certification, some applicants have a friend or family member summarize the document rather than translate word-for-word.
How we prevent it
Every translation follows IQAS word-for-word rules: complete text, original course titles, institutional phrasing, and academic terminology preserved without simplification.
4Applicant self-translated their own documents
What happens
IQAS questions the objectivity of the translation source.
Why it happens
IQAS says translations must come from an "objective and reliable source." The applicant is not considered objective regarding their own academic records.
How we prevent it
All our translations come from professional translators who have no connection to the applicant, satisfying the IQAS objectivity requirement.
Translation Cost for IQAS Submission
IQAS submission involves translation cost plus the assessment fee. All IQAS fees are in Canadian dollars and non-refundable. Understanding both together helps you budget accurately and avoid the trap of saving on translation only to pay more later when IRCC or your university also needs a certified copy.
Certified Translation
Starting Rate
Typical Total (Most IQAS-bound academic sets: 2 to 4 pages)
$59.90–$119.80
Pay only after you review the quote
Institution / WES Specific Fees
Typical Subtotals
- • IQAS fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Verify at alberta.ca/iqas.
- • All IQAS fees are non-refundable regardless of assessment outcome.
- • Review current translation pricing at /pricing before placing the order.
Common Questions About IQAS Translation Requirements
Does IQAS accept certified translation?
Yes. IQAS accepts certified translations. IQAS officially states that translations do not need to be certified or notarized — they only need to come from an objective and reliable source. A professional certified translation meets this standard and also works for IRCC, Canadian universities, provincial licensing boards, and employers. Certified translation is the recommended approach because it eliminates the risk of needing to retranslate later for downstream institutions.
Does IQAS require certified translation?
No. IQAS does not strictly require certification or notarization. The IQAS policy says translations must be word-for-word and from an objective and reliable source. However, a professional certified translation is still recommended because virtually every institution that receives your IQAS assessment — IRCC, universities, employers, licensing boards — requires or strongly prefers certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy.
What is the difference between IQAS and WES for Canadian immigration?
Both IQAS and WES are designated by IRCC to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for Canadian immigration. IQAS is a government service operated by the Government of Alberta with more flexible translation rules and bilingual English/French acceptance. WES is a private organization that requires professional translations and uses country-specific sender routes. IQAS standard processing is 15–25 business days. Both accept the same certified translation format, so one translation works for either evaluator.
Can I translate my own documents for IQAS?
No. IQAS requires translations from an "objective and reliable source." The applicant is not considered objective regarding their own academic records. A family member is also not considered objective. You need a third-party translator — either a professional translation provider or an unrelated bilingual individual who can produce a complete, word-for-word translation.
How do I include a translation in a sealed institutional envelope?
If your institution sends documents directly to IQAS, the English translation must be inside the sealed envelope. Ask your institution to include the printed translation with the original documents before sealing. If your institution will not include third-party documents in their sealed envelope, upload the translation separately through the IQAS portal and note this in your application.
Does IQAS accept French documents without translation?
Yes. IQAS is an Alberta government service and accepts documents in both official Canadian languages — English and French — without translation. This is a meaningful difference from WES, which generally requires English translations of French documents. If your academic records are in French, you can submit them to IQAS without any translation.
How long does IQAS take to process an assessment?
Standard IQAS processing takes 15 to 25 business days after all documents are received and your application reaches "in line for processing" status. Rush service is available for $250 CAD additional with 5–7 business day completion. Applications with multiple credentials may take longer. Processing time does not include mail delivery. On our side, certified translation is typically completed within 24 hours.
Related Pages
Other credential evaluator guides
WES translation requirements
WES-specific translation formatting, country intermediaries, and portal submission.
ECE translation requirements
ECE Translation Waiver option, self-prepared translation rules, and submission steps.
NACES translation requirements
How NACES membership affects evaluator choice and shared standards.
Relevant guides
Relevant documents
Ready to submit to IQAS?
We format translations for IQAS evaluator review: word-for-word rendering, preserved document layout, and a Certificate of Accuracy that also satisfies IRCC, WES, universities, and employers.
We are not affiliated with IQAS or the Government of Alberta. We provide certified translation that meets current IQAS-facing formatting and completeness expectations.