Foreign nationals planning to immigrate to Canada through economic streams will soon have a new way to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved the TOEFL Essentials test as a future acceptable proof of language ability.

According to a news release issued on August 21 by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that administers the TOEFL, it has been designated by IRCC as a new official language testing organization. In the release, ETS stated it is currently working closely with IRCC on "the steps leading up to acceptance [of the TOEFL Essentials]" and has committed to sharing details on the implementation timeline and test locations as soon as they are finalized.

It is important to note that while the designation has been made, IRCC has not yet officially begun accepting TOEFL Essentials scores. Applicants should monitor the official IRCC website for updates regarding the policy's effective date.

Who Will Be Impacted by This Change?

According to the official statement from ETS, the TOEFL Essentials test will be available to candidates applying for permanent residence through Canada's economic immigration programs. This includes several major federal and provincial pathways:

• The three programs managed under the Express Entry system:
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

A special note for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): these programs are administered by individual provinces and territories, which have autonomy over their own program requirements. Consequently, the adoption of the TOEFL Essentials test may vary from one province or territory to another. Applicants will need to verify the specific requirements of their chosen province.

About the TOEFL Essentials Test

The TOEFL Essentials test is designed to comprehensively measure the four core English skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—through practical, task-based activities that reflect real-life communication scenarios.

Key features of the test include:

• Test Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours, featuring a fast-paced format.
• Test Format: The test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. It also includes a short, unscored Personal Video Statement. The test uses short, quick tasks to assess skills in both academic and general contexts.
• Score Reporting: Test-takers receive unofficial scores for the Listening and Reading sections immediately upon completing the test. Official score reports are typically available online within six days or less.
• Score Sending: Scores can be sent to an unlimited number of institutions at no additional cost.
• Test Locations: The test can be taken at secure, authorized test centers in Canada and worldwide.

Other Language Tests Currently Accepted by IRCC

Prior to the official implementation of TOEFL Essentials, IRCC continues to accept the following English language tests for economic immigration applicants:

• CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) - General Test
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - General Training
• PTE Core (Pearson Test of English)

All language test scores are converted to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) scale to measure an applicant’s proficiency against the specific requirements of various immigration programs. The official conversion table for TOEFL Essentials scores to CLB levels is expected to be released by IRCC in the future.