As an Indian student planning to study or settle in Canada, choosing the right English language test is crucial. TOEFL iBT is fully accepted by every Canadian university and college and is widely used as proof of English proficiency for study permit applications. However, the standard TOEFL iBT is NOT accepted for permanent residency (Express Entry, PNP, CEC, etc.). IRCC officially approved TOEFL Essentials in August 2025, but remains inactive — IRCC is not yet accepting scores for PR applications.
This article explains exactly where each version of TOEFL can and cannot be used for Canada study permits and PR applications.
TOEFL for Canada University Admissions
TOEFL is fully accepted by 100% canadian universities and colleges. Both test center-delivered and Home Edition are accepted. Typical minimum scores required for admission to top universities in Canada are mentioned below.
| University | Minimum TOEFL iBT Score |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 89 overall, 22 in each of Speaking and Writing |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) | 90 overall (Reading: 22, Listening: 22, Writing: 21, Speaking: 21) |
| McGill University | 86 overall, 20 in each section |
| University of Alberta | 90 overall, 21 in each section |
| University of Waterloo | 90 overall, 25 in each of Speaking and Writing |
| Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) | 92 overall |
Check your specific program for exact requirements on the university’s international admissions page.
Must Read: Top TOEFL Accepted Universities in Canada
Ques. Do Canadian universities accept TOEFL MyBest scores?
Ans. Yes, most Canadian universities accept TOEFL MyBest (superscore) results. However, some competitive programs, especially in engineering or health sciences, may require scores from a single test attempt.
Ques. Is the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition accepted for Canadian universities?
Ans. No, TOEFL PBT has officially been discontinued. So, you cannot send it to universities.
Ques. Can I apply with TOEFL even if the university lists IELTS as the preferred test?
Ans. Yes. Some universities list IELTS simply because it’s more popular, but they still accept TOEFL iBT. If in doubt, email the admissions office for written confirmation.
TOEFL for Canada Study Permit (Student Visa)
TOEFL is commonly accepted as proof of language ability. IRCC does not require a mandatory language test for study permits and does not publish an “approved list” for student visas.
- A TOEFL iBT score that meets your university’s requirement is almost always sufficient for the visa officer.
- Thousands of Indian students successfully submit TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) every year.
Ques. Do visa officers look at individual section scores (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)?
Ans. Not usually. Visa officers focus on whether your university has accepted you, rather than evaluating your section-wise scores independently.
Ques. Can a low TOEFL score lead to study permit refusal?
Ans. It can, but only indirectly. If the score is unusually low compared to your academic background, an officer might question your ability to succeed in the program.
Ques. Will taking the TOEFL Home Edition affect my visa?
Ans. No. Visa officers do not differentiate between test-center and Home Edition scores as long as the university accepts them and the test result is valid.
TOEFL for Canada PR
TOEFL iBT is NOT accepted for CLB points or Canada PR through any economic immigration program. TOEFL Essentials was approved by IRCC in August, but it is not yet active. IRCC is still finalising CLB conversion tables and system integration, and no launch date has been announced.
The table below lists the currently accepted English tests for Canada PR.
| Test | Version Required | Availability in India | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | General Training only | Very high | Most popular choice |
| PTE | PTE Core only | High & growing | Fully computer-based |
| CELPIP | General only | Limited centers | Mostly taken in Canada |
| TOEFL Essentials | — | — | Approved but not active yet |
Must Read: PR Friendly Courses in Canada for International Students
Ques. Will IRCC accept old TOEFL Essentials scores once activation begins?
Ans. Most likely not. IRCC typically requires language test results to be taken after the test becomes officially active, so earlier scores may not qualify.
Ques. Can TOEFL iBT be used for provincial programs outside Express Entry?
Ans. No. All economic immigration programs, federal and provincial, use CLB-based tests only. TOEFL iBT does not map to the CLB system.
Ques. If TOEFL Essentials becomes active, will it be equivalent to IELTS General?
Ans. Yes, once launched, it will be treated as an approved English test. However, scoring and CLB mappings may differ, so exact score requirements will vary.
TOEFL for Canada (Quick Summary)
The table below summarizes which tests are accepted in Canada for different purposes.
| Purpose | TOEFL iBT (full test) | TOEFL Essentials | Currently Valid Alternatives for PR |
|---|---|---|---|
| University/College Admission | Yes (100%) | Yes (limited acceptance currently) | — |
| Study Permit Application | Yes (strong proof) | Yes | — |
| Permanent Residency (PR) | No | Approved but not active | IELTS General, PTE Core, CELPIP |
TOEFL for Canada: Tips for Indian Students
If you're planning to study in Canada, the TOEFL iBT is still a safe and accepted choice for university admissions and student visa applications. However, if you are aiming for permanent residency in the future, consider the following strategy:
- Studying in Canada (now): Take the TOEFL iBT without any concerns, as it is widely accepted for university admissions and study permits.
- Planning for Permanent Residency: If you are already considering Canada PR, it’s best to take the IELTS General Training or PTE Core tests now, as these are guaranteed to be accepted for PR applications.
- Prefer TOEFL for PR: If you prefer to stick with the TOEFL brand for PR purposes, keep an eye on IRCC updates. There may be a possibility to use TOEFL Essentials for PR in 2026 once the IRCC system is fully integrated.
Canada PR: Key Statistics for Indian Students
India remains the top source country for international students in Canada, but the introduction of study permit caps and stricter scrutiny has significantly reduced approvals. The pathway from study permit to permanent residency remains one of the strongest in the world for those who successfully enter Canada.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (Partial) | What This Means for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New study permits issued to Indians | ~278,000 | ~188,000 | ~90,000-120,000 (full-year projection) | Approvals have dropped sharply due to caps; choose public universities and strong applications. |
| Overall approval rate for Indian applicants | 60-80% | ~45–50% | 20-35% (varying by quarter) | High-quality proof of language (e.g., strong TOEFL iBT) helps address common refusal reasons. |
| Transition rate from international student/PGWP to permanent residency | Approximately 75% within 5 years (historical | Remains high for those who enter | High success for in-Canada applicants | The study-to-PR route is still very effective once you have a study permit and Canadian experience |
| Sources: IRCC open data; reports from BorderPass, The PIE News, and ICEF Monitor. |
|---|
The rules around TOEFL and Canadian immigration are evolving, but for now, the TOEFL iBT is a solid choice for university admissions and study permit applications. If permanent residency is your goal, IELTS or PTE are currently the best options, but stay updated on future changes, particularly regarding TOEFL Essentials.
FAQs
Ques. Is TOEFL easier or harder than IELTS for Canadian purposes?
Ans. Neither test is officially easier, but many students find the TOEFL more comfortable because it is fully computer-based. IELTS may feel more challenging for those who prefer digital speaking tasks over face-to-face interviews.
Ques. Does Canada prefer one English test over another for students or immigrants?
Ans. For study permits, Canada has no preference, universities decide. For PR, IRCC only accepts specific tests like IELTS or PTE, but this is due to standardized CLB mapping rather than preference.
Ques. How long are TOEFL scores valid when applying to Canada?
Ans. TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years for both university admissions and visa use. If your score expires during the admission cycle, you may be asked to retake the test.
Ques. Can I use the same TOEFL score for both my university application and visa application?
Ans. Yes, as long as the score is valid and accepted by your institution. Most students use the same score report for both steps without any issues.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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