Foreign nationals planning to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada are about to get another much-needed option to prove their English language skills. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it will soon start accepting the TOEFL Essentials test for PR applications—a move that will benefit thousands of skilled workers and students aiming to settle in Canada.
Currently, the IRCC does not accept the TOEFL for immigration purposes, but this policy is set to change. The official acceptance date and details will be updated on the IRCC website once final arrangements are made.
ETS Confirms TOEFL Essentials for Canada PR
The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that develops and conducts the TOEFL exams, confirmed the update last week. ETS stated that it has officially been added as a designated language testing body by the IRCC.
In its statement, ETS mentioned it is actively working with Canadian authorities on the next steps, including timing of implementation and approved test center details. Once these are finalized, the IRCC will begin recognizing TOEFL Essentials scores as valid proof of English proficiency for immigration programs.
Who Benefits from the New Decision?
The biggest beneficiaries of this update will be candidates applying for permanent residence under Canada’s economic immigration programs, which include:
- Express Entry (including draws across economic streams)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Since English proficiency is a crucial factor in Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), having an additional test option provides greater flexibility for applicants worldwide.
TOEFL Essentials: What You Need to Know
The TOEFL Essentials test is designed to evaluate the four major English language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—through real-world, task-based exercises. This makes it a practical test that reflects everyday communication, not just academic English.
Key Features of TOEFL Essentials:
- Four Sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
- Personal Video Statement: Includes a short, unscored video where test-takers introduce themselves
- Fast-Paced Tasks: Combines academic and general English questions in short, interactive formats
- Instant Results: Unofficial scores for Listening and Reading are available immediately after the test
- Quick Official Results: Score reports are published online within 6 days or less
- Unlimited Score Reports: Test-takers can send scores to any number of institutions at no extra charge
Why This Matters for Canada PR Applicants
Until now, PR hopefuls largely depended on popular language exams like IELTS General Training and CELPIP. With TOEFL Essentials entering the mix, candidates now have:
- More flexibility in choosing a language test
- A chance to align with global testing standards used by universities and employers worldwide
- Faster results and cost-effective score sharing
For many, this option will reduce the bottleneck of test availability and make the PR process more accessible, especially in regions where IELTS and CELPIP test centers are limited.
Final Thoughts
This policy shift brings a major relief for skilled workers, students, and professionals aiming to immigrate to Canada. The acceptance of TOEFL Essentials by IRCC not only broadens applicants’ testing choices but also signals Canada’s commitment to keeping immigration pathways flexible and inclusive.
While the exact start date for TOEFL Essentials acceptance is still to be confirmed, future PR applicants should keep an eye on the IRCC official website for updates.
For now, one thing is certain—immigration to Canada just got a little easier.
