Foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to Canada will soon have an additional option for proving their English language proficiency.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will soon accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Essentials test as part of its immigration process. Although the test is not yet accepted, IRCC will update its website with more details once it is officially included.
This change will allow applicants under Canada’s permanent economic immigration programs to use the TOEFL Essentials to demonstrate their English proficiency.
Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration
On August 21, the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the TOEFL, announced it had been designated as an approved language testing organization by IRCC. According to ETS’s release, the organization is currently working with IRCC to finalize the steps for accepting the TOEFL Essentials, with more information on timing and test locations to be shared soon.
Who Will Be Affected by This Change?
ETS’s announcement specifies that the TOEFL Essentials test will be available to candidates applying under IRCC’s permanent economic immigration programs, which include:
- Express Entry-managed programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
(Note: PNPs are regional programs, and each province or territory has its own specific requirements, which may affect the uptake of the TOEFL Essentials test.)
About the TOEFL Essentials Test
The TOEFL Essentials is designed to assess key English language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking through practical, task-based activities that reflect real-world communication. The test takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and will be available at secure testing centers worldwide, including locations in Canada.
Test Format
The TOEFL Essentials test consists of four sections:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
In addition, test-takers are asked to submit a brief, unscored Personal Video Statement.
The test combines both academic and general English contexts, using short, fast-paced tasks to assess language skills.
Scoring
Test takers will receive immediate, unofficial results for the listening and reading sections upon completion of the test. Official results are typically available online within six days. The TOEFL Essentials also allows test-takers to send score reports to an unlimited number of institutions at no extra cost.
What Other English Tests Does IRCC Accept?
Currently, IRCC accepts several other English language proficiency tests for economic immigration, including:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE Core)
IRCC uses the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to measure applicants’ English proficiency.
