In a bid that aimed to reshape the landscape of language testing for Canadian immigration, the American edtech firm Duolingo has encountered a setback. The company sought official recognition of its online English proficiency test as a valid option for applicants under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). Despite several lobbying efforts, Duolingo’s attempts to gain approval from the federal immigration department have not borne fruit, raising questions about accessibility for prospective migrants, particularly those from conflict-ridden regions.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Records from the federal government reveal that Duolingo engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on five separate occasions between August and December 2025. The discussions primarily revolved around potential enhancements to the EMPP, which is designed to facilitate permanent residency for skilled refugees. Duolingo was keen to advocate for its digital language test, which has seen a surge in acceptance among educational institutions across Canada, the UK, and the US.
Currently, IRCC mandates that language assessments must be conducted in person at designated centres, limiting options for applicants who might be unable to access these facilities. As it stands, only three English tests and two French tests are recognised by the department, including the widely known International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Concerns Over Test Integrity
Despite the rising popularity of Duolingo’s English Test (DET), concerns surrounding the integrity of remote assessments have emerged. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that government representatives expressed apprehension about verifying the identity of individuals completing the online test. This issue has become pivotal in the ongoing debate regarding the suitability of digital testing in the immigration process.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duolingo’s courses and tests gained traction as many learners turned to online platforms amid lockdowns. However, while the DET has garnered recognition from educational institutions, its acceptance for immigration purposes remains elusive.
A Personal Impact: The Case of Hamdan Albuhaisi
One individual directly affected by the current language testing requirements is Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian resident of the Gaza Strip. His application for the EMPP programme has faced significant hurdles due to the in-person testing mandate. Albuhaisi, a UNRWA-registered refugee with a master’s degree in computing systems, submitted his application in June 2025. Despite achieving a score on the DET that exceeded the Canadian Language Benchmark standards, he was denied entry into the programme due to the absence of an IRCC-approved language test that could be accessed from Gaza.
With the recent escalation of conflict in the region, the already limited options for testing have vanished. The British Council, which previously operated IELTS centres in Gaza, shuttered its operations in October 2023, leaving only the online IELTS test as a possibility—one that IRCC does not recognise.
Legal Challenges and Humanitarian Appeals
Albuhaisi’s plight has escalated to a judicial review in federal court, challenging IRCC’s refusal to accept the DET results. His legal representation argues that the decision is unreasonable, particularly given the dire circumstances in Gaza, where living conditions have deteriorated significantly due to ongoing violence. His lawyer, Kelly O’Connor, has urged the Canadian government to reconsider its stance on language testing, highlighting the critical nature of humanitarian and compassionate grounds in these exceptional circumstances.
In response to inquiries about the accessibility of language tests, an IRCC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by applicants but reiterated the importance of demonstrating language proficiency as a prerequisite for economic immigration programmes.
Why it Matters
The failure of Duolingo to secure approval for its online English test underscores a broader issue within Canada’s immigration framework—one that prioritises traditional testing methodologies over innovative, accessible solutions. As the world grapples with crises that displace vulnerable populations, Canada’s immigration policies must evolve to accommodate these realities, particularly for individuals like Albuhaisi who meet all other criteria for residency yet remain barred by outdated testing requirements. Embracing digital solutions like the DET could not only enhance accessibility but also reflect a commitment to humanitarian principles in immigration policy.
