In a significant setback for American edtech firm Duolingo, the company’s efforts to have its online English test recognised as an official language evaluation for Canadian immigration have been thwarted. Despite extensive lobbying efforts directed at the federal immigration department, Duolingo’s proposal did not gain the necessary traction, leaving potential migrants from war-stricken regions without crucial pathways to permanent residency in Canada.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Duolingo, known for its popular language-learning platform, aimed to have its Duolingo English Test (DET) included as one of the approved assessments for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). This immigration initiative is designed to facilitate permanent residency for high-skilled refugees and displaced persons. Lobbying records reveal that Duolingo representatives engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) five times between August and December 2025, advocating for the acceptance of their digital assessment as a viable option for applicants lacking access to traditional testing centres.
Currently, IRCC mandates that language tests be conducted in person at designated locations worldwide, a requirement that presents significant obstacles for many applicants, particularly those in conflict zones. The existing accepted tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and others, but none offer a remote testing option that could accommodate those in dire circumstances.
Concerns Over Test Integrity
While Duolingo’s digital testing model has gained traction in educational institutions across Canada, the United States, and Britain—especially during the pandemic—concerns lingered regarding the security and integrity of online assessments. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that IRCC officials expressed reservations about verifying the identity of test-takers, which is critical to maintaining the integrity of the immigration process.
In a statement from Marlene Olsavsky, Duolingo’s spokesperson in Canada, it was confirmed that the company has ceased discussions with IRCC regarding this matter, leaving the door open for future conversations but without any immediate plans to resume lobbying.
A Personal Impact: The Case of Hamdan Albuhaisi
The consequences of IRCC’s stringent language testing requirements are poignantly illustrated in the case of Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen trapped in the Gaza Strip. Albuhaisi, a UN-registered refugee with an advanced degree, applied for the EMPP programme in June 2025 but faced rejection due to his inability to provide an accepted language test. His attempts to complete the Duolingo English Test were thwarted by administrative barriers, as no IRCC-approved assessments were available in his region.
Albuhaisi’s situation has escalated to a judicial review, challenging IRCC’s decision on the grounds of humanitarian and compassionate considerations. His lawyer, Kelly O’Connor, argues that the department’s insistence on in-person testing disregards the unique and perilous circumstances faced by applicants like Albuhaisi. Tragically, in March 2024, eleven members of Albuhaisi’s family lost their lives in an airstrike
