TOEFL Essentials Soon Accepted for Canadian PR Applications!
Canada is expanding the options for proving English language proficiency in immigration applications. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that it will soon begin accepting the TOEFL Essentials test for permanent residence applications under its economic immigration programs.
Currently, applicants can only choose from IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE Core. But with TOEFL Essentials joining the list, candidates worldwide will have another reliable pathway to demonstrate their English skills.
This move was announced on 21 August by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that administers TOEFL. ETS confirmed that it has been added as an IRCC-designated language testing organization and is working with IRCC to finalize timelines, test centre details, and acceptance procedures.
Who Does This Impact?
Once implemented, the TOEFL Essentials test will apply to candidates under:
- Express Entry 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 province-specific, so acceptance of TOEFL Essentials may vary depending on local regulations.
About the TOEFL Essentials Test
- Format: 4 core sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) + a short unscored Personal Video Statement.
- Length: About 1.5 hours, much shorter than traditional TOEFL iBT.
- Real-life tasks: Practical, task-based questions designed to measure communication in both academic and general contexts.
- Scoring:
- Instant unofficial results for Listening & Reading right after the test.
- Official results available within 6 days or less.
- Unlimited free score reports to institutions.
- Test Centres: Available worldwide at secure locations.
Why This Matters
This addition will make the process more flexible for candidates who may prefer shorter, task-based tests. It also increases global accessibility, giving applicants another chance to qualify under Canada’s Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) requirement.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
