In a significant turn of events, the American educational technology firm Duolingo has faced a setback in its efforts to gain recognition as an official language test provider for Canadian immigration applications. Despite lobbying Ottawa to have its online English test accepted under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) programme, the company was ultimately unsuccessful. This decision leaves many prospective immigrants, particularly from conflict-affected regions, without viable options to demonstrate their language proficiency for immigration purposes.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Duolingo, known for its popular online language courses, engaged in discussions with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) multiple times between August and December 2025. The company sought to discuss potential improvements to the EMPP programme, including the merits of incorporating digital language testing options. However, current regulations stipulate that all applicants must complete their language assessments in person at designated testing centres, a requirement that poses significant barriers for many.
Records indicate that IRCC currently recognises three English language tests, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and two French language tests. The absence of remote online testing options has left applicants in precarious situations, especially those from regions where physical testing centres are nonexistent.
Concerns Over Test Integrity
Reports suggest that government officials expressed concerns regarding the integrity of Duolingo’s online assessment. Specifically, there were questions about ensuring that the individual taking the test was indeed the applicant. The stakes are high: the ability to complete language testing remotely could have provided essential support to countless migrants from war-torn areas who lack access to necessary resources.
Two anonymous sources familiar with the lobbying efforts indicated that discussions with IRCC also encompassed broader topics concerning English testing for federal immigration programmes. Nevertheless, the hurdles proved insurmountable for Duolingo, which has since ceased discussions with IRCC, as confirmed by Marlene Olsavsky, a spokesperson for the company in Canada.
The Human Cost of Language Testing Regulations
The stringent language testing requirements have had dire implications for applicants like Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen currently living in the Gaza Strip. Albuhaisi’s application for the EMPP programme has been hindered by IRCC’s insistence on in-person testing, a situation that has now led to a judicial review in federal court.
Albuhaisi, who holds a master’s degree in computing systems from Al-Azhar University and has extensive experience working for the United Nations, applied for Canadian permanent residency in June 2025. Unfortunately, his application was rejected due to his inability to submit an accepted English language test, a situation compounded by the closure of local testing centres amid ongoing conflict.
According to court documents, Albuhaisi took the online Duolingo English Test, achieving a score that exceeded IRCC’s minimum language proficiency standards. However, his efforts were in vain as the test results were not recognised by the immigration authorities. With the situation in Gaza deteriorating, the need for flexibility in language testing has become more urgent than ever.
Ongoing Immigration Challenges
The EMPP programme, which aims to attract skilled immigrants identified as displaced persons by the UN Refugee Agency, has recently faced suspension due to a backlog of applications. The programme, launched in 2018, has now ceased accepting new applications as of late 2025. The decision to halt the programme, alongside other immigration initiatives, has left many skilled refugees in limbo, including Albuhaisi.
As the conflict escalated in Gaza, the closure of IELTS testing centres further limited options for local applicants. The only remaining avenue for residents is an online version of the IELTS test, but this format is not accepted by IRCC. Kelly O’Connor, an immigration lawyer representing Albuhaisi, has described the IRCC’s refusal to consider alternative testing methods as unreasonable, particularly given the dire circumstances faced by applicants in conflict zones.
In light of humanitarian considerations, O’Connor advocates for a reassessment of language testing policies, urging the Canadian government to accept the Duolingo English Test for applicants who meet all other criteria but face insurmountable barriers to in-person testing.
Why it Matters
The rejection of Duolingo’s language test has broader implications for Canada’s immigration landscape, particularly as the nation grapples with the influx of refugees and skilled immigrants fleeing conflict. The current rigid testing requirements risk excluding qualified candidates from contributing to Canadian society simply due to their geographic location and the unavailability of approved language testing centres. As the nation seeks to address its labour shortages and support humanitarian efforts, the need for a more flexible approach to language assessment has never been more pressing. The situation underscores the importance of adapting immigration policies to reflect the realities faced by those in crisis, ensuring that Canada remains a welcoming destination for those in need.
