The American educational technology firm Duolingo, known for its popular language learning platform, has made a bid to become an approved provider of language testing for Canadian immigration applications, but its efforts have been met with rejection. As immigration pathways struggle to accommodate high-skilled refugees, particularly those from conflict zones, the lack of digital testing options continues to hinder many prospective migrants seeking a new life in Canada.
Duolingo’s Lobbying Efforts
Records reveal that representatives from Duolingo engaged with officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on five separate occasions between August and December 2025. Their discussions primarily centred around the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), an initiative designed to facilitate permanent residency for skilled individuals classified as refugees by the United Nations. Despite the potential advantages of allowing remote language assessments, which could alleviate barriers for applicants from war-torn regions, the IRCC has maintained its stance against online testing.
Currently, the IRCC accepts only three English and two French language tests, all of which require in-person attendance at designated centres worldwide. This rigid framework has left many prospective immigrants, especially those in areas lacking access to testing facilities, in a precarious position.
Concerns Over Test Integrity
Informal sources close to Duolingo indicated that government officials harboured reservations regarding the integrity of their online testing platform. Specifically, concerns were raised about verifying the identity of test-takers, which is crucial in ensuring that the results accurately reflect the applicant’s language proficiency. This scepticism ultimately contributed to the federal decision not to recognise the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a valid option for immigration applicants.
Despite the DET gaining traction and acceptance among various educational institutions across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States during the pandemic, it seems that the IRCC remains unconvinced of its reliability for immigration purposes.
A Refugee’s Struggle for Acceptance
One individual particularly affected by these stringent requirements is Hamdan Albuhaisi, a Palestinian residing in Gaza. Albuhaisi, a UNRWA-registered refugee with a master’s degree in computing systems, applied for the EMPP programme in June 2025. Unfortunately, he was unable to fulfil the language testing requirements due to the absence of IRCC-approved centres in his region, a situation exacerbated by the recent conflict.
Albuhaisi’s application was rejected on the grounds of not submitting an accepted English language test, despite achieving a score on the DET that surpassed the minimum standards set by the Canadian Language Benchmark. His case is now the subject of a judicial review, as he argues that the IRCC’s decision fails to consider the unique and dire circumstances faced by individuals in unstable regions.
The Impact of Conflict on Immigration Pathways
The situation for applicants like Albuhaisi has become increasingly dire. Prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict that escalated in October 2023, there were two IELTS testing centres in Gaza, both operated by the British Council. However, following the outbreak of violence, these centres were closed, leaving only the option of an online IELTS test, which the IRCC does not accept for immigration purposes.
Kelly O’Connor, a Montreal immigration lawyer representing Albuhaisi, described the IRCC’s refusal to accept the DET as “unreasonable,” noting that it fails to account for the perilous conditions refugees face. She advocates for a more compassionate approach, urging the IRCC to consider accepting online tests under humanitarian grounds, particularly for applicants who meet all other criteria but cannot attend in-person testing due to dangerous circumstances.
In response to inquiries, an IRCC spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by applicants in accessing language tests but reaffirmed that proving language competency remains a critical requirement for those seeking to enter economic programmes.
Why it Matters
The refusal to accept digital language testing options such as the Duolingo English Test exacerbates an already complex immigration landscape for many refugees. As Canada aims to attract skilled migrants, the inability to adapt to modern testing methods may hinder the country’s commitment to humanitarian values. The ongoing situation highlights the pressing need for a more flexible and compassionate immigration system that recognises the unique challenges faced by individuals in conflict zones, ensuring that deserving candidates are not left behind due to rigid protocols.