TOEFL Score for Canada 2026: New Format Accepted?

Can you use TOEFL for Canada in 2026? Absolutely. All major Canadian universities accept the new TOEFL format and its 1-6 band scoring scale. Canada is TOEFL's second-largest market after the USA, with institutions like University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, and Waterloo all accepting TOEFL scores. However, there is an important distinction: while TOEFL works perfectly for university admission, Canadian immigration (study permit and PR) traditionally prefers IELTS. This guide from EEC's Canada experts covers everything you need to know.

Is TOEFL Accepted in Canada?

Yes — for university admission, TOEFL is accepted by virtually all Canadian universities. The new TOEFL format and 1-6 band scoring are recognized, and the transition-period score reports (showing both new bands and old 0-120) ensure smooth evaluation. For immigration purposes (study permit, Express Entry PR), IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) accepts IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, and TEF — but TOEFL is NOT accepted for Express Entry CRS points. This distinction matters if you are considering a Canada PR pathway.

Canadian University TOEFL Requirements

For registration details and booking, see the TOEFL fee guide and find test centres in India. You can also take the test from home — read our TOEFL Home Edition guide for details on the at-home option.

Canadian universities often differentiate requirements by programme level and field of study. Graduate research programmes (MSc, PhD) may require higher scores than coursework-based master's programmes. Business schools — particularly for MBA admissions at Rotman (UofT), Ivey (Western), or Desautels (McGill) — often expect Band 4.5-5.0 minimum with strong Writing scores. Engineering and STEM programmes may accept slightly lower overall scores (Band 4.0) because the coursework is more quantitative, but they still expect solid Listening and Reading scores for seminar and research paper comprehension. Always check programme-specific requirements, not just the university's general minimum.

Note: The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was discontinued on November 8, 2024. All study permit applications now go through the regular stream (8–12 weeks processing). Strong test scores remain important for visa approval. EEC's Canada visa experts can advise on the best documentation strategy for your specific situation.

Top Canadian University TOEFL Scores

TOEFL for Canadian Immigration

For study permit applications, IRCC does not specify a minimum English test score — it is your university's admission that matters. If the university admits you with TOEFL, the study permit application accepts that. However, for post-graduation PR pathways (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs), you will need an IRCC-approved test: IELTS General, CELPIP, or PTE Core. TOEFL is NOT accepted for CRS points.

Strengthen every section of your TOEFL with targeted strategies: speaking tips, writing tips, reading tips, and listening tips. For a complete overview, see the old vs new TOEFL comparison.

TOEFL vs IELTS for Canada: Which Is Better?

EEC Recommendation: If Canada is your only destination and you plan to pursue PR, take IELTS or CELPIP — they serve both admission and immigration purposes. If you are applying to both USA and Canada simultaneously, TOEFL gives you broader USA acceptance. See our full TOEFL vs IELTS comparison.

TOEFL & the Canada PR Pathway

India's Canada study-to-PR pathway typically works as: (1) Take English test → (2) Get university admission → (3) Get study permit → (4) Complete degree → (5) Get PGWP → (6) Work 1+ year → (7) Apply for PR via Express Entry. TOEFL works perfectly for steps 1-4. For step 7, you will need IELTS/CELPIP. Explore Canada PR pathways with EEC.

Understanding how CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points work is crucial for long-term planning. Language proficiency can contribute up to 136 CRS points for a single applicant (or 128 for married applicants). These points come only from IRCC-approved tests — IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core, or TEF Canada. A CLB 9 (IELTS 7.0 equivalent) in all four sections maximises your language points. Since TOEFL cannot contribute to CRS, students who plan to pursue PR should ideally take an IRCC-approved test before or during their Canadian studies. Many EEC students adopt a dual-test strategy: TOEFL for university admission (because of broader acceptance and faster results) and IELTS General or CELPIP for immigration 2-3 years later.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in popular provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta also require IRCC-approved language tests for their nomination streams. However, some PNP streams — particularly those for international graduates — have lower language requirements than federal Express Entry. EEC's Canada counsellors analyse which province and stream best matches your profile, including language score requirements, work experience, and occupation demand. For section-specific TOEFL preparation, review our reading tips and listening tips to build a strong foundation.

“For Canada-only students wanting PR, IELTS is the strategic choice — one test for both admission and immigration. For multi-country applicants targeting USA + Canada, TOEFL covers both.”

— Priya Sharma, Senior USA & Canada Education Consultant, EEC

EEC's Canada Counselling

EEC offers complete Canada packages: TOEFL or IELTS coaching (₹9,990) + university shortlisting + study permit support + scholarship guidance. With 29+ years of Canada placement experience, EEC knows the optimal test choice for your specific Canada plan. Review our exam day tips, explore the best TOEFL coaching in India, and also check TOEFL score for USA and TOEFL score for Germany if you are considering multiple countries. Join TOEFL coaching at EEC or book a free consultation.

EEC offers three modes of TOEFL preparation — Classroom (at 26 centres across Gujarat), Online Live (interactive Zoom sessions with expert trainers), and Pre-recorded (self-paced video course with 1-year access) — all at ₹9,990 all-inclusive. Start preparing for your target Canadian university score today.

Frequently Asked Questions