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In a significant setback for the American edtech firm Duolingo, efforts to gain approval for its online English proficiency test as a valid option for Canadian immigration applications have been unsuccessful. The company lobbied for its Duolingo English Test (DET) to be included in the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), a programme aimed at facilitating permanent residency for skilled international refugees. The federal immigration department’s refusal to accept the online test raises critical questions about access to language assessments, particularly for individuals from conflict-affected regions.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Records from the federal lobbying register reveal that Duolingo representatives engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on five occasions between August and December 2025. Their discussions primarily focused on enhancing the EMPP programme and exploring the feasibility of incorporating digital language testing options. However, concerns regarding the integrity of the online testing process appeared to be a significant hurdle. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that IRCC officials expressed doubts about ensuring the identity of test-takers, raising fundamental questions about the reliability of online assessments.
Currently, Canada’s immigration framework mandates that applicants complete language tests in person at designated centres, a stipulation that has drawn criticism for its rigidity. The IRCC recognizes three English-language assessments and two for French, including the widely known International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Impact of the Language Testing Requirement
The stringent in-person testing requirement has profound implications for refugees and displaced individuals. Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen from Gaza, exemplifies the struggles faced by many in similar predicaments. Having applied for the EMPP programme in June 2025, Albuhaisi’s application was rejected due to his inability to provide an accepted English language test, a decision now subject to judicial review in federal court. Albuhaisi, a UNRWA-registered refugee with extensive professional experience, took the online DET, as no IRCC-approved tests were available in Gaza. His score, significantly above the necessary Canadian Language Benchmark, highlights the disconnect between language proficiency and the bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the IRCC.
Before the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, Gaza had two IELTS testing centres, which have since been closed, leaving residents with no viable options for in-person assessments. The only available alternative is an online IELTS test, which the IRCC does not accept. This situation leaves many prospective migrants in limbo, unable to fulfil vital requirements for their immigration applications.
Legal Challenges and Humanitarian Considerations
Albuhaisi’s case has drawn attention to the need for a more flexible approach to language testing, particularly for individuals facing extraordinary circumstances. Kelly O’Connor, his lawyer based in Montreal, has criticized the IRCC’s decision as “unreasonable,” suggesting it fails to account for the dire conditions experienced by applicants like Albuhaisi. O’Connor has called on the Canadian government to reconsider its stance on the DET, arguing that accepting this digital test under compassionate grounds could provide a lifeline for those who meet other residency criteria but are hindered by geographical constraints.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the urgency for a solution has intensified. In March 2024, Albuhaisi’s family tragically lost 11 members, including his young daughter, in an Israeli air strike. This heart-wrenching reality underscores the pressing need for a humane response from the Canadian government, especially given the significant risks faced by applicants from war-torn regions.
Why it Matters
The refusal to accept the Duolingo English Test as part of Canada’s immigration process has far-reaching implications, particularly for those fleeing conflict and persecution. With ongoing geopolitical tensions and the plight of refugees increasingly in the spotlight, the rigidity of the IRCC’s testing requirements raises ethical questions about accessibility and inclusivity in the immigration system. As Canada seeks to attract skilled immigrants, it must also consider the humanitarian implications of its policies, ensuring that language proficiency is assessed in a manner that does not exclude those in dire need of refuge. The case of Hamdan Albuhaisi serves as a poignant reminder of the real human stakes involved in bureaucratic decisions.
