In a bid to broaden access for skilled refugees seeking permanent residency in Canada, American edtech firm Duolingo has attempted to gain approval as an official language test provider. However, the company’s efforts have not yielded success, as the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opted to stick with its existing framework that requires in-person testing at designated centres. This decision has significant implications for numerous applicants, particularly those hailing from conflict-ridden regions.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Documents detailing Duolingo’s lobbying activities reveal that the company engaged with IRCC officials on five occasions between August and December 2025. The discussions centred around the potential integration of its online-only English test into the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), an immigration stream tailored for high-skilled refugees. Duolingo’s representatives pitched the benefits of digital testing, which could alleviate obstacles for those in areas lacking access to physical testing locations.
Despite the growing popularity of the Duolingo English Test (DET) — which has been embraced by numerous educational institutions across Canada, the UK, and the US — IRCC officials expressed concerns regarding the integrity of online assessments. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that apprehensions focused primarily on ensuring that the individual taking the test was indeed the applicant.
The Challenge for Refugees
Current IRCC regulations mandate that language testing must occur in person, which poses a significant barrier for applicants from regions like Gaza. For instance, Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen and UNRWA-registered refugee, found himself unable to provide an acceptable language test for his EMPP application due to the absence of testing facilities in his area. This issue has escalated to a judicial review, reflecting the growing frustration over the rigidity of the language testing requirements.
Launched in 2018, the EMPP was specifically designed to attract skilled individuals classified as displaced persons by the UN Refugee Agency. However, the programme was recently suspended, along with various other immigration streams, as a result of surging application backlogs. The suspension of the EMPP programme at the end of 2025 means that many potential applicants like Albuhaisi face an uncertain future.
Struggles of Applicants in Conflict Zones
Albuhaisi, who possesses a master’s degree in computing systems, submitted his application for Canadian permanent residency in June 2025. His candidacy was ultimately thwarted due to the unavailability of an IRCC-approved English test. While he achieved a score on the DET that exceeded the Canadian Language Benchmark requirements, the IRCC’s strict adherence to its in-person testing policy meant that his application was rejected.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the geopolitical climate in Gaza. Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the last remaining IELTS testing centres in the region were shuttered. Consequently, the only option left for applicants in Gaza is an online IELTS test, which IRCC does not accept, leaving them in a precarious position.
Montreal-based immigration lawyer Kelly O’Connor, who represents Albuhaisi, has labelled the IRCC’s decision as “unreasonable.” She argues that the department has failed to take into account the dire circumstances faced by applicants living in regions marked by violence and instability. O’Connor is advocating for a reconsideration of the language testing requirements, particularly under humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
The Road Ahead for Digital Testing
In an email response, an IRCC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by certain applicants when accessing language tests. However, the department maintains that proof of language proficiency is a fundamental requirement for economic immigration programmes.
Duolingo, meanwhile, has ceased discussions with IRCC regarding its test. Marlene Olsavsky, a spokesperson for the company in Canada, did not provide details on whether the firm might pursue renewed lobbying efforts in the future.
Why it Matters
The failure of Duolingo to gain official recognition as a language test provider underscores a critical gap in Canada’s immigration system, particularly for those seeking refuge from conflict. As countries around the world adapt to modern testing methods, Canada’s rigid policies could inadvertently exclude talented individuals who meet all other immigration criteria but cannot comply with outdated testing requirements. This situation highlights the urgent need for a more flexible and compassionate approach to immigration that accommodates the realities faced by vulnerable populations.
