Language Testing May Be Coming for Certain Temporary Work Permits

This may change in the near future. An amendment has been proposed to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that would require certain work permit applicants under the International Mobility Program to meet language testing requirements.  

Key Takeaways

• Certain temporary workers in Canada may need to prove official language proficiency to receive their temporary work permit in Canada in the future.  
• The change is proposed for ‘certain’ workers who fall under the International Mobility Program. We don’t know yet which programs may be impacted by these changes.  

Proposed Changes for Temporary Worker Language Testing 

At the moment, individuals applying for temporary work permits through the International Mobility Program don’t need to prove official language proficiency to receive a work permit. On 16 July 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a regulatory initiative notice about an amendment being proposed that would change the language proficiency rules for this program.  

The announcement notes that it would introduce a requirement for applicants to submit approved language proficiency test results to prove that they meet language proficiency requirements.  

It also notes that it plans to publish the proposed amendments in spring or summer 2025 for a 30-day comment period. This means these changes could come into effect later this year.  

Which IMP Pathways May Soon Require Language Proficiency Results? 

The following pathways fall under Canada’s International Mobility Program:  

• Reciprocal youth exchange agreements, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. 

• Other international agreements with specific countries, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CETA). 

• Permitting companies with a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada to transfer workers under the Intra-Company Transfer program. 

• Allowing someone transitioning to permanent residence in Canada to work on a Bridging Open Work Permit. 

• Giving international graduates who studied in Canada the opportunity to work on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Note that language proficiency requirements are already in place for many of these programs. 

• Situations that bring ‘significant social or cultural benefit to Canada’ (one such example being the Mobilité Francophone initiative). Note that the French Mobility Program already has official language proficiency requirements.  

Note that the announcement states that ‘certain’ programs may be impacted by this change. This language makes us think that some programs will be exempt from language proficiency requirements. We aren’t sure which programs may fall under the exemption at this point, though we would guess that IEC may be a prime candidate.  

PGWP Language Testing Requirements 

As of November 1, most PGWP applicants have needed to prove language proficiency. The exception at the moment is graduates of PGWP-eligible flight schools. We’re unsure whether these students will need to prove language proficiency under the proposed amendments.  

SOWP Language Testing Requirements 

Spousal open work permits would also be another category we predict will see language proficiency requirements come into effect. Canada’s government has already introduced increasingly strict requirements to receive a SOPW and it’s clearly an area that it is interested in reducing overall volumes. This means that spouses who would have otherwise been eligible for a SOWP may need to demonstrate official language proficiency to receive their SOWP by the end of 2025.  

Why Are These Changes Happening Now?  

The official announcement notes that the changes are to improve the program’s integrity:  

“The objective of the regulations is to enhance the reliability, transparency, and efficiency with which language requirements are assessed under the IMP, and to ensure only those who are best positioned to successfully integrate the labour market and potentially transition to permanence residence obtain a work permit.” 

It’s important to remember, though, that the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 and the current government’s position is that the number of temporary residents in Canada should decrease over the coming years. By linking new work permits to language requirements, this will likely lead to fewer work permit applications, contributing to overall efforts to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada.