In a significant setback for American edtech firm Duolingo, efforts to gain recognition as an official language test provider for Canadian immigration applications have failed. The company aimed to have its online-only English proficiency test accepted by the federal immigration department as part of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), a programme designed to facilitate permanent residency for skilled refugees. This decision has implications for many prospective migrants from conflict-affected regions, who often struggle to access traditional testing facilities.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Duolingo’s lobbying records reveal that between August and December 2025, the company engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on five separate occasions. The discussions centred on potential enhancements to the EMPP programme, particularly the consideration of digital testing alternatives. Despite the growing acceptance of the Duolingo English Test (DET) in academic settings across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as its adoption by Ireland for study visa applications, the IRCC has maintained stringent criteria that currently preclude remote testing.
One source close to the lobbying efforts, who opted for anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, indicated that IRCC officials expressed apprehension regarding the integrity of remote assessments. Specifically, they raised concerns about ensuring that the individual taking the test is indeed the applicant.
The Immutable Language Testing Landscape
Under existing regulations, IRCC mandates that applicants demonstrate their language proficiency through in-person testing at designated centres worldwide. Currently, the department accepts three English and two French language assessments, including the widely recognised International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This rigid framework presents significant barriers for asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from areas where access to testing centres is severely restricted or altogether unavailable.
The EMPP programme, launched in 2018, seeks to attract skilled immigrants classified as displaced persons by the United Nations Refugee Agency. However, recent developments, including a temporary suspension of the programme due to application backlogs, have heightened uncertainty for many applicants.
A Case in Point: Hamdan Albuhaisi
Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen living in the Gaza Strip, exemplifies the detrimental impact of IRCC’s in-person testing requirement. A registered refugee with a master’s degree in computing systems from Al-Azhar University, Albuhaisi applied for Canadian permanent residency in June 2025 but faced rejection due to the unavailability of an accepted language test in Gaza. His attempts to submit results from the online Duolingo English Test were deemed insufficient.
Albuhaisi’s situation has escalated to a judicial review in federal court, following his rejection. His legal representatives argue that the IRCC’s decision was unjust, failing to take into account the dangerous conditions in Gaza, especially in light of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict that has resulted in significant loss of life.
“My family has suffered tremendously,” expressed Kelly O’Connor, Albuhaisi’s Montreal-based immigration lawyer. She implored the Canadian government to reconsider its stance on the Duolingo test, especially for applicants who meet all other residency criteria but lack access to in-person testing.
The Broader Context of Language Testing
The recent closure of IELTS testing centres in Gaza, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, has left Albuhaisi and countless others without viable options for demonstrating language proficiency. Prior to the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, there were two British Council-administered IELTS centres in the region, both of which have since ceased operations.
An IRCC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges some applicants face in accessing language tests but reiterated the necessity of proving language proficiency as a fundamental requirement for the economic immigration programmes. This statement, while valid, fails to address the harsh realities faced by those like Albuhaisi who live in areas of conflict.
Why it Matters
The refusal to accept online language tests like Duolingo’s in the Canadian immigration framework underscores the systemic barriers faced by refugees and skilled migrants from conflict zones. As the global landscape shifts, with increasing numbers of individuals displaced by war and persecution, Canada’s immigration policies must adapt to reflect the urgent need for inclusivity and compassion. The inability to create a more flexible approach to language testing not only hampers individual aspirations but also deprives Canada of the talents and contributions that these skilled individuals could bring to the country.