Canada Work Visa: Why IRCC is making language tests must and what changes for open work permits

Canada Work Visa Requirements: Starting 2026, Canada will be introducing significant changes to its immigration framework that will require language proficiency testing for certain open work permit applicants. The move is part of the government’s plan to improve the system and make sure foreign workers can communicate well in English or French.

The announcement was made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in July 2025 as part of its Forward Regulatory Plan. The proposal, overseen by Korey McKinnon, Senior Director of Temporary Workers at IRCC, is currently under public consultation and aims to ensure foreign workers can “fully participate in the labour market’ and ‘better integrate into Canadian society.”

IRCC Language Testing: The rationale

The Canadian government’s primary objective is to establish baseline English or French proficiency among foreign workers enabling them to perform effectively in their roles while protecting them from potential workplace exploitation.

IRCC emphasises that adequate language skills are crucial for workers to understand their employment rights as well as workplace protocols and challenges.

Language barriers can sometimes lead to unfair treatment at work, the department stated while highlighting how communication hurdles can make workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Canada Work Permit: What changes now

Under the new regulation, select work permit applicants will need to demonstrate proficiency in English or French through the standardised language testing. This marks a departure from the current practice where most open work permit categories do not require language assessment.

The test will evaluate four core language competencies – speaking, listening, reading, and writing. While specific proficiency thresholds and accepted tests have not been announced yet, the requirements will align with Canada’s existing language standards used in other immigration programmes.

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Open work permits allow foreign workers to take jobs with any employer in Canada. They are different from employer-specific permits. Spouses of international students or temporary foreign workers, among others, commonly apply for open work permits.

This new rule will not apply to everyone, but only to certain categories. It will target specific streams, with potential exemptions for spouses of high-skilled workers or international students. Vulnerable workers or those already working in Canada may also receive exemptions. The final list of affected groups will be shared in 2026.

Open Work Permit Canada: Consultation

A public consultation on this matter will take place in late 2025, inviting inputs from immigrants, employers, and the general public before finalising the regulation. The consultation period will help IRCC develop fair implementation guidelines.

After the consultation, the final language testing rule is expected to take effect from mid or late 2026.

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IRCC says that the initiative forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to modernise its temporary foreign workforce. Rather than stopping immigration, the government claims these changes are measures to improve outcomes for both workers and the economy of the country.