IRCC to Accept TOEFL Essentials for PNP & Express Entry
TOEFL Essentials to Be Accepted by IRCC for Canadian Immigration: What You Need to Know
Good news for folks looking to immigrate to Canada—there’s a new English testing option coming your way! Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the TOEFL Essentials test will soon be accepted as proof of English language proficiency for several permanent economic immigration programs.
If you’ve been exploring pathways like Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), this update may give you one more accessible route to meet your language requirements.
Key Highlights
- IRCC will soon accept the TOEFL Essentials test for permanent economic immigration programs.
- The Essentials test evaluates all four core English skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
- It’s a shorter and more flexible option compared to other standardized tests.
- Applicable for Express Entry pathways, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and select PNPs.
- Test scores are typically available within six days, with instant unofficial results for some sections.
- This change offers more choice for applicants worldwide proving English proficiency.
What Is the TOEFL Essentials Test?
Let’s start by understanding what TOEFL Essentials is all about. Administered by ETS (the same organization behind the standard TOEFL iBT), TOEFL Essentials is a newer version designed to assess real-world communication in both academic and general contexts. The test takes approximately 1.5 hours and focuses on practical, fast-paced tasks.
The format is broken down into four primary sections:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
It also includes a short, unscored Personal Video Statement to add a human touch to your profile.
Where and When Can You Take It?
TOEFL Essentials will be available at secure test centres across Canada and globally. While IRCC hasn’t started accepting the test just yet, they’ve confirmed that updates will be posted on their official website once everything is in place.
ETS is currently ironing out the final steps with IRCC, including test centre details and the official start date for when scores will be accepted.
Who Will This Benefit?
This update specifically impacts candidates applying for Canada’s permanent economic immigration programs. That includes some of the most popular pathways like:
- Express Entry programs:
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – Note: Each province or territory can decide whether or not to accept TOEFL Essentials scores for their own streams.
So, if you’re aiming to apply through any of these programs, this new test could offer a more flexible and faster option to prove your English skills.
How Is It Scored?
The TOEFL Essentials test has some built-in advantages when it comes to scoring and timelines. Here’s how it works:
- Instant unofficial scores for the Listening and Reading sections right after you take the test.
- Official scores are available within six days or less online.
- You can send your score reports to an unlimited number of institutions—for free!
That’s a big plus if you’re applying to multiple immigration programs or provinces and want to streamline your application process.
Why This Matters for Canadian Immigration
Language proficiency is a key part of Canada’s immigration process, especially for anyone applying under the Express Entry system or through a Provincial Nominee Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used in Express Entry assigns a significant number of points based on your ability to speak, listen, read, and write in English or French.
With IRCC soon accepting TOEFL Essentials, you’ll have another recognized and accessible way to meet those language requirements. This may particularly help applicants who are more comfortable with a fast-paced, real-world communication format over traditional academic-only tests.
How It Affects PNP Applicants
While TOEFL Essentials will be recognized at the federal level, it’s important to remember that each province controls its own Provincial Nominee Program. That means some provinces may choose to accept the new test sooner than others—or not at all. If you’re considering a Manitoba PNP or another regional program, keep an eye on their official updates for confirmation.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this is a welcome change for immigration hopefuls. Offering more choice in approved language tests not only makes the immigration process more accessible, but also helps applicants find a test that suits their communication style and test-taking preferences.
Whether you’re just starting your Express Entry profile or exploring PNPs like the Manitoba PNP, TOEFL Essentials could be a useful new tool in your journey to Canada.
Still wondering if your language scores are up to par? It’s a good idea to evaluate where you stand. Try our free assessment to see if you meet Canada’s language requirements!
Check Your Eligibility for Canadian Immigration
And don’t forget to stay tuned—we’ll keep you posted as soon as IRCC officially begins accepting TOEFL Essentials scores.
