Canada is on the way to transforming its International Mobility Program (IMP) with a brilliant policy decision to open work permit applicants by requiring them to demonstrate English or French language proficiency.
This is a future-oriented stipulation advanced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that essentially transforms the temporary employee sector, especially when it comes to issuance of a spousal open work permit (SOWP).
IRCC hopes to improve the integration of the workforce by introducing language testing in some of the streams of IMP to reduce exploitation such as contact marriages as well as workforce with proficient and communicating talent in the labour market of Canada.
This all-inclusive guide answers the question, why is this an exemplary move, the programs that are going to be impacted, and how applicants can get qualified to this mind-boggling change to reform the face of Canadian immigration.
What Is the International Mobility Program (IMP)?
International Mobility Program (IMP) is an immigration system that operates in Canada where employers can employ temporary foreign workers without delays of LMIA.
This mobility has allowed it to become an important mechanism to help solve labour shortages and draw talented labour. The Imperial Merchant Program has a variety of streams that address varied needs:
International Experience Canada (IEC): Unlikely to require testing due to reciprocal agreements with partner countries prioritizing youth mobility over long-term integration.
Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP): Currently exempt but likely to require testing to ensure genuine applicants and integration.
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP): Supports international graduates in Canada transitioning to the Canadian job market.
Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP): Unlikely to require testing, as applicants often meet language requirements for permanent residency pathways.
Intra-Company Transferees: Expected to remain exempt, as eligibility focuses on company-specific roles, not broad language integration.
Significant Benefit Categories: Expected to remain exempt, as roles like athletes or artists prioritize cultural contributions over language skills.
Free Trade Agreement Professionals: Exempt, based on trade commitments under agreements like CUSMA or CETA.
Charitable or Religious Work: Exempt, focusing on the nature of the work.
The most important characteristics of the IMP are the open work permits that provide the permit holder with a job without any limitations to a particular employer and location in Canada.
The IMP is vital to the Canadian economic structure, since in the year 2024 alone, more than 100,000 open work permits were granted via the IMP.
What’s Changing For Canada’s Open Work Permits Under IMP?
The amendment to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations would require language proficiency tests to take the candidates of specific IMP open work permits, and spousal open work permits are expected to be in the candidates and streams targeted.
Applicants will be required to file the results of certain third-party bodies, i.e., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada to evaluate the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
The tests will be benchmarked against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scales with the estimated thresholds being CLB 5 in general roles as well as CLB 7 in skilled jobs, although IRCC has not confirmed specific levels as of yet.
The test results should not be more than two years, according to the standard test validity period used by IRCC.
The IMP under the IRCC allows temporary workers to enter the country without necessitating a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as is the case with Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) through its equivalence.
Today, the majority of IMP streams (with an exception of the Francophone Mobility Program (requires NCLC 7)) are not tested on language requirements.
The announcement by IRCC concerns only some streams, and SOWPs can be regarded as the target of interest since they are explained to reunify families and are vulnerable to exploitation in the past.
Nonetheless, it is not made clear by IRCC whether the policy applies to all the exempt programs, and the scope of the policy is not clear in full.
Why It Matters?
The introduction of language testing over the open work permits of IMP is a future approach by the IRCC that will strengthen Canada in its effort to have a sound, fair, and valid immigration structure.
The policy’s key benefits include:
Preventing Exploitation: Language testing ensures genuine applicants, particularly SOWP holders, reducing fraudulent practices like contract marriages used to secure work permits.
Enhancing Workforce Integration: Proficiency in English or French enables workers to communicate effectively, boosting workplace safety, collaboration, and career mobility.
Supporting Economic Growth: Language-ready workers fill labor gaps in high-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and engineering, driving Canada’s economy.
Facilitating Permanent Residency: Language skills align with Express Entry requirements (e.g., CLB 7), smoothing transitions for IMP workers seeking permanent status.
The policy is a brilliant way to deal with exploitation especially in the case of SOWPs. Contract marriages or marriages set up to gain immigration privileges and rights are detrimental to the Canadian system and take advantage of the vulnerable.
Language testing introduced a measurable standard, which discouraged such procedures as it would be necessary to show the applicants their integration-ready skills.
Language barriers are cited as a challenge in the 2014-2022 evaluation of the IMP by IRCC, which makes this change necessary in order to have the workers flourish.
The policy is in line with the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 that seeks the downsizing of the number of temporary residents and focus on high-impact ones to underpin the global leadership of Canada in terms of approaches toward immigration policy.
Impact on Applicants and Stakeholders
For Applicants:
The language testing is a genius requirement because the SOWP applicants can become the successful workforce in the country of Canada.
A variety of job opportunities are available, in both the retail and professional fields, with profitability to the economy.
As an example, a wife or husband of an CLB 7 does have the possibility of working in skilled jobs to improve the family stability.
The policy discourages contract marriages to the true applicants by sifting out the bad ones.
Less proficient applicants might require preparation, although it can be realized free of charge with the help of such free resources as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC).
For Families: Testing will empower family reunification as the spouses will be empowered to work without relying on others.
It does not allow exploitation, but true relationships. Families of non-English or non French speaking areas can utilize available training to comply as it would allow long-term integration.
For Employers: The use of language-capable employees who are able to adjust to changes rapidly with a small training period is to the advantage of employers.
Although the number of applicants would be lowered at first, the penetration to qualified candidates affirms the productivity in sectors such as technology and hospitality.
Employer compliance fee of $230 has been kept without any changes, but hiring approaches can be focused on applicants who have taken the test.
For Canadians: Workforce that is language-ready contributes to the economic growth, addresses labour shortages, and facilitates integration.
The policy maintains the trust of the population by avoiding exploitation, as is the Canadian aim to strike the balance between the lowered levels of temporary residents and the positive contributions of those residents.
Challenges:
Accessibility: In-person testing excludes online options, challenging applicants in rural or conflict zones.
Preparation Time: Applicants may need months to achieve CLB levels, delaying permits.
Fairness: SOWP holders prioritizing family roles may face hurdles, though anti-exploitation benefits outweigh concerns.
Uncertainty: IRCC’s lack of clarity on affected streams requires proactive planning.
When Will This Change Be Implemented: What Happens Next
The language testing amendments are at a very early stage of development with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I aimed at spring/summer 2025 to be followed by a 30-day period of public comment.
In February 2025, IRCC engaged in consultations with provinces and territories and it is expected to engage employers as well as immigration consultants and community groups in 2025.
Completion is pending by 2026 or 2027, when the requirement will become effective for specified streams of IMPs, which are presumably to include SOWPs.
Feedback will help IRCC to explain which streams are affected, CLB levels and accommodations (e.g., exemptions to the applicants with disabilities).
Consultations in 2025 are essential to the fair, comprehensive policy.
Practical Tips for Navigating the Change
Locate Testing Centres: Find in-person centres via ielts.org or celpip.ca, as IRCC requires in-person tests.
Verify Eligibility: Confirm your IMP stream (e.g., SOWP) requirements, anticipating language testing for SOWPs.
Consult Experts: Work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for guidance.
Monitor Updates: Subscribe to our newsletters for announcements on streams, CLB levels, and timelines.
The move by Canada to require language assessment to obtain open work permit under the IMP, especially when it comes to spousal open work permits, is an excellent policy initiative that will reshape immigration by 2026.
Through this proficiency, the IRCC ensures that it avoids exploitation, improves integration, and boosts the economy of Canada.
Although BOWP, Intra-Company Transferees, and Significant Benefit Categories are, perhaps, not subject to it, it is certain that this requirement will help SOWP applicants in maximizing their opportunity.
Planning in advance and consulting in 2025 will make the applicants flourish.
When will the language testing requirement for IMP work permits start?
The requirement is set to begin in 2026 or 2027, with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette in spring/summer 2025 and final details by 2026.
Which IMP programs will require language testing?
IRCC hasn’t confirmed all affected streams, but spousal open work permits are likely included, while BOWP are unlikely to be affected.
Why is Canada introducing language tests for open work permits?
To enhance integration, prevent exploitation like contract marriages, and ensure economic contributions, aligning with Canada’s immigration goals.
Certain IMP open work permit applicants, likely including spousal permits, must submit English or French proficiency test results (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF) to ensure workforce integration.
Canada To Require Language Tests For Open Work Permits In 2026
Canada is on the way to transforming its International Mobility Program (IMP) with a brilliant policy decision to open work permit applicants by requiring them to demonstrate English or French language proficiency.
This is a future-oriented stipulation advanced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that essentially transforms the temporary employee sector, especially when it comes to issuance of a spousal open work permit (SOWP).
IRCC hopes to improve the integration of the workforce by introducing language testing in some of the streams of IMP to reduce exploitation such as contact marriages as well as workforce with proficient and communicating talent in the labour market of Canada.
This all-inclusive guide answers the question, why is this an exemplary move, the programs that are going to be impacted, and how applicants can get qualified to this mind-boggling change to reform the face of Canadian immigration.
What Is the International Mobility Program (IMP)?
International Mobility Program (IMP) is an immigration system that operates in Canada where employers can employ temporary foreign workers without delays of LMIA.
This mobility has allowed it to become an important mechanism to help solve labour shortages and draw talented labour. The Imperial Merchant Program has a variety of streams that address varied needs:
International Experience Canada (IEC): Unlikely to require testing due to reciprocal agreements with partner countries prioritizing youth mobility over long-term integration.
Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP): Currently exempt but likely to require testing to ensure genuine applicants and integration.
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP): Supports international graduates in Canada transitioning to the Canadian job market.
Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP): Unlikely to require testing, as applicants often meet language requirements for permanent residency pathways.
Intra-Company Transferees: Expected to remain exempt, as eligibility focuses on company-specific roles, not broad language integration.
Significant Benefit Categories: Expected to remain exempt, as roles like athletes or artists prioritize cultural contributions over language skills.
Free Trade Agreement Professionals: Exempt, based on trade commitments under agreements like CUSMA or CETA.
Charitable or Religious Work: Exempt, focusing on the nature of the work.
The most important characteristics of the IMP are the open work permits that provide the permit holder with a job without any limitations to a particular employer and location in Canada.
The IMP is vital to the Canadian economic structure, since in the year 2024 alone, more than 100,000 open work permits were granted via the IMP.
What’s Changing For Canada’s Open Work Permits Under IMP?
The amendment to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations would require language proficiency tests to take the candidates of specific IMP open work permits, and spousal open work permits are expected to be in the candidates and streams targeted.
Applicants will be required to file the results of certain third-party bodies, i.e., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada to evaluate the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
The tests will be benchmarked against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scales with the estimated thresholds being CLB 5 in general roles as well as CLB 7 in skilled jobs, although IRCC has not confirmed specific levels as of yet.
The test results should not be more than two years, according to the standard test validity period used by IRCC.
The IMP under the IRCC allows temporary workers to enter the country without necessitating a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as is the case with Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) through its equivalence.
Today, the majority of IMP streams (with an exception of the Francophone Mobility Program (requires NCLC 7)) are not tested on language requirements.
The announcement by IRCC concerns only some streams, and SOWPs can be regarded as the target of interest since they are explained to reunify families and are vulnerable to exploitation in the past.
Nonetheless, it is not made clear by IRCC whether the policy applies to all the exempt programs, and the scope of the policy is not clear in full.
Why It Matters?
The introduction of language testing over the open work permits of IMP is a future approach by the IRCC that will strengthen Canada in its effort to have a sound, fair, and valid immigration structure.
The policy’s key benefits include:
Preventing Exploitation: Language testing ensures genuine applicants, particularly SOWP holders, reducing fraudulent practices like contract marriages used to secure work permits.
Enhancing Workforce Integration: Proficiency in English or French enables workers to communicate effectively, boosting workplace safety, collaboration, and career mobility.
Supporting Economic Growth: Language-ready workers fill labor gaps in high-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and engineering, driving Canada’s economy.
Facilitating Permanent Residency: Language skills align with Express Entry requirements (e.g., CLB 7), smoothing transitions for IMP workers seeking permanent status.
Ensuring Transparency: Third-party testing standardizes assessments, eliminating subjectivity and ensuring fairness.
The policy is a brilliant way to deal with exploitation especially in the case of SOWPs. Contract marriages or marriages set up to gain immigration privileges and rights are detrimental to the Canadian system and take advantage of the vulnerable.
Language testing introduced a measurable standard, which discouraged such procedures as it would be necessary to show the applicants their integration-ready skills.
Language barriers are cited as a challenge in the 2014-2022 evaluation of the IMP by IRCC, which makes this change necessary in order to have the workers flourish.
The policy is in line with the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 that seeks the downsizing of the number of temporary residents and focus on high-impact ones to underpin the global leadership of Canada in terms of approaches toward immigration policy.
Impact on Applicants and Stakeholders
For Applicants:
The language testing is a genius requirement because the SOWP applicants can become the successful workforce in the country of Canada.
A variety of job opportunities are available, in both the retail and professional fields, with profitability to the economy.
As an example, a wife or husband of an CLB 7 does have the possibility of working in skilled jobs to improve the family stability.
The policy discourages contract marriages to the true applicants by sifting out the bad ones.
Less proficient applicants might require preparation, although it can be realized free of charge with the help of such free resources as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC).
For Families: Testing will empower family reunification as the spouses will be empowered to work without relying on others.
It does not allow exploitation, but true relationships. Families of non-English or non French speaking areas can utilize available training to comply as it would allow long-term integration.
For Employers: The use of language-capable employees who are able to adjust to changes rapidly with a small training period is to the advantage of employers.
Although the number of applicants would be lowered at first, the penetration to qualified candidates affirms the productivity in sectors such as technology and hospitality.
Employer compliance fee of $230 has been kept without any changes, but hiring approaches can be focused on applicants who have taken the test.
For Canadians: Workforce that is language-ready contributes to the economic growth, addresses labour shortages, and facilitates integration.
The policy maintains the trust of the population by avoiding exploitation, as is the Canadian aim to strike the balance between the lowered levels of temporary residents and the positive contributions of those residents.
Challenges:
Accessibility: In-person testing excludes online options, challenging applicants in rural or conflict zones.
Preparation Time: Applicants may need months to achieve CLB levels, delaying permits.
Fairness: SOWP holders prioritizing family roles may face hurdles, though anti-exploitation benefits outweigh concerns.
Uncertainty: IRCC’s lack of clarity on affected streams requires proactive planning.
When Will This Change Be Implemented: What Happens Next
The language testing amendments are at a very early stage of development with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I aimed at spring/summer 2025 to be followed by a 30-day period of public comment.
In February 2025, IRCC engaged in consultations with provinces and territories and it is expected to engage employers as well as immigration consultants and community groups in 2025.
Completion is pending by 2026 or 2027, when the requirement will become effective for specified streams of IMPs, which are presumably to include SOWPs.
Feedback will help IRCC to explain which streams are affected, CLB levels and accommodations (e.g., exemptions to the applicants with disabilities).
Consultations in 2025 are essential to the fair, comprehensive policy.
Practical Tips for Navigating the Change
Locate Testing Centres: Find in-person centres via ielts.org or celpip.ca, as IRCC requires in-person tests.
Verify Eligibility: Confirm your IMP stream (e.g., SOWP) requirements, anticipating language testing for SOWPs.
Consult Experts: Work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for guidance.
Monitor Updates: Subscribe to our newsletters for announcements on streams, CLB levels, and timelines.
The move by Canada to require language assessment to obtain open work permit under the IMP, especially when it comes to spousal open work permits, is an excellent policy initiative that will reshape immigration by 2026.
Through this proficiency, the IRCC ensures that it avoids exploitation, improves integration, and boosts the economy of Canada.
Although BOWP, Intra-Company Transferees, and Significant Benefit Categories are, perhaps, not subject to it, it is certain that this requirement will help SOWP applicants in maximizing their opportunity.
Planning in advance and consulting in 2025 will make the applicants flourish.
When will the language testing requirement for IMP work permits start?
The requirement is set to begin in 2026 or 2027, with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette in spring/summer 2025 and final details by 2026.
Which IMP programs will require language testing?
IRCC hasn’t confirmed all affected streams, but spousal open work permits are likely included, while BOWP are unlikely to be affected.
Why is Canada introducing language tests for open work permits?
To enhance integration, prevent exploitation like contract marriages, and ensure economic contributions, aligning with Canada’s immigration goals.
Certain IMP open work permit applicants, likely including spousal permits, must submit English or French proficiency test results (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF) to ensure workforce integration.
Author: Shubham
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