Apply for a Student Visa with the Duolingo English Test

For years, international students preparing to study abroad or apply for visas often felt trapped by expensive, time-consuming English proficiency exams.

But now, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has become a game-changer!

LUME will break down the visa Duolingo English Test (DET) acceptance 2026, country by country, so you know exactly what to expect!

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Key Takeaways

• The Duolingo English Test (DET) is accepted at top universities across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. 
• Though countries like the U.S., Canada, and Ireland don’t require additional English test scores for visas, Australia still enforces stricter rules.
• Some programs accept scores around 95-105, but competitive programs typically expect 120 or higher.

Visa Duolingo English Test (DET) Acceptance 2026: Which Country Accepts It?

United States

Technically, the U.S. Department of State does not list English test scores as a mandatory requirement for the F-1 visa.

However, if your chosen university requires an English proficiency score, you can include it as part of your supporting documents.

What really makes the difference is how well you can communicate in English during the visa interview.

Even a perfect score won’t help if you struggle to answer basic questions.

The bottom line is that strong communication skills matter more than which test you take.

Canada

For Canada, English test scores are not specifically required for a study permit application.

As long as you have an official admission letter from a Canadian college or university, your visa application should not face issues.

One important update: the Student Direct Stream (SDS), which used to offer a faster visa pathway for applicants from certain countries, was officially discontinued on November 8, 2024.

SDS only accepted in-person tests like IELTS in the past.

So, this change actually benefits Duolingo English Test (DET) takers. 

There’s no longer any preference for one test over another.

U.K.

The UK student visa process depends on the country you are applying from.

Some applicants may be asked to provide proof of English proficiency.

However, if you’ve been admitted to a UK university where your program is taught in English, that admission itself usually counts as proof, and no additional test results are needed.

For cases where proof is required, the UK government relies on Secure English Language Test (SELTs).

Since Duolingo is not an SELT provider, you may need to take a different exam if specifically asked.

Still, Duolingo English Test (DET) can get you admitted to many UK universities. Once admitted, most degree-level applicants don’t have to show a separate SELT for their visa.

Ireland

Ireland is one of the most welcoming destinations for Duolingo English Test (DET) test-takers.

The government explicitly lists the Duolingo English Test (DET) among the accepted options for student visa applications.

That means you can use your Duolingo English Test (DET) score directly to prove your English proficiency without needing to take another exam.

Australia

Australia is a bit more complex compared to other countries.

Although many universities do accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for admission, the visa requirements vary depending on your nationality.

For higher-risk visa categories, applicants may be asked to provide additional English test results taken in person at a physical test center.

The safest approach is to check your specific visa requirements before deciding.

New Zealand

English proficiency is not listed as a mandatory requirement for a student visa.

In short, applicants are not asked to submit test scores, whether from the Duolingo English Test (DET) or any other exam.

Plus, if your university accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET) for admission, you are all set; no additional English-related paperwork is needed for the visa process.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Acceptance by Country: A Summary

Country	University Acceptance of Duolingo English Test (DET)	Visa Acceptance of Duolingo English Test (DET)
U.S.	Broadly accepted	Recognized for visas
Canada	Widely accepted	Recognized for visas
U.K.	Limited acceptance	Approved if admitted
Ireland	Almost universal	Officially accepted
Australia	Mixed acceptance	Not generally, with some exceptions
New Zealand	Fully accepted	Accepted, no extra proof required

Required Scores

For the United States, institutions usually ask for scores between 100 and 150, though the most selective universities often expect 120 or higher.

In the United Kingdom, a score of 105 is usually cited as the baseline.

But remember that the actual threshold still differs depending on the program and the institution.

Meanwhile, Ireland has one of the clearest policies.

The government officially recognizes the Duolingo English Test (DET) for study visas, with defined minimum scores: 

• 55 for foundation and secondary-level English courses.
• 75 for higher education programs. 

Conclusion

Visa Duolingo English Test (DET) acceptance 2026 has now become common, making it easier and more affordable to start your journey abroad!

Still, policies are not identical everywhere, so always confirm the latest requirements for your destination country.

Related practice resources

• Duolingo English Test Vocabulary List: 500+ Essential Words
• Duolingo English Test (DET) Writing Sample Questions
• Duolingo English Test Cheat Sheet: Tips, Templates, Strategy

Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test (DET) And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)