In a move that could have broadened pathways for skilled refugees, American edtech giant Duolingo has failed to secure approval from Ottawa to include its online English test as an accepted language assessment for immigration applications. This setback comes as Canada grapples with an immigration system already under strain, particularly for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), aimed at helping high-skilled individuals fleeing conflict zones.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Lobbying records reveal that Duolingo engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on five occasions between August and December 2025. The discussions primarily revolved around potential enhancements to the EMPP programme, including the feasibility of recognising digital language testing methods. Despite the growing acceptance of the Duolingo English Test (DET) in academic institutions across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the IRCC has remained stagnant in its language testing policies.
Currently, the IRCC mandates that language tests be conducted in person at accredited centres, a stipulation that complicates matters for applicants in regions where access to testing facilities is severely limited. At present, the department recognises three English tests, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and two French tests.
Sources familiar with Duolingo’s outreach indicate that concerns regarding the integrity of online testing were a significant barrier. Officials expressed doubts about verifying the identity of test-takers, a critical factor for maintaining the credibility of language assessments.
Impact on Refugee Applicants
For many aspiring immigrants, particularly those from war-torn regions, the inability to complete language tests poses a significant obstacle. One such case is that of Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian citizen from the Gaza Strip. Albuhaisi’s application for the EMPP programme has been marred by the IRCC’s in-person testing requirement, which he has contested in a federal judicial review. He applied for permanent residency in June 2025, but his application was rejected after he submitted a DET score—one that far exceeded the minimum standards set by the IRCC—due to the absence of approved testing options in Gaza.
The situation has only worsened since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, which led to the closure of the only two IELTS testing centres in Gaza. Albuhaisi’s legal representatives argue that the IRCC’s stance is unreasonable, especially when considering the dire circumstances many applicants face, such as the threat to their safety and the inability to fulfil bureaucratic requirements.
The Broader Context of Immigration Policy
The EMPP programme, launched in 2018, was designed to attract skilled individuals classified as refugees by the UN Refugee Agency. However, the Canadian government recently suspended the programme due to an overwhelming backlog of applications. This suspension has left many employers and potential immigrants in a state of uncertainty, further complicating the already difficult journey for skilled refugees seeking a new life in Canada.
As the IRCC continues to rely on traditional methods for language assessment, voices within the immigration community are calling for a reevaluation of these practices. There is a growing consensus that online testing could provide a viable alternative for many applicants, especially those who meet other criteria for residency but cannot access in-person assessments.
A Call for Compassionate Policy Reform
Kelly O’Connor, an immigration lawyer representing Albuhaisi, has urged the Canadian government to reconsider its policies regarding language testing. Citing humanitarian grounds, she argues that exceptions should be made for individuals who have the necessary qualifications but lack the means or safety to attend in-person tests.
An IRCC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges some applicants face in accessing language tests but maintained that proof of language competency remains a critical requirement for economic immigration programmes.
Why it Matters
The failure of Duolingo to gain approval as an official language test provider highlights a significant gap in Canada’s immigration policy, particularly for skilled refugees. As the country seeks to attract talent from around the world, it must also adapt its processes to accommodate the realities faced by applicants in crisis situations. Recognising alternative testing methods could not only ease the burden on individuals like Albuhaisi but also reflect a more compassionate and pragmatic approach to immigration in a rapidly changing global landscape.
