Duolingo Restricts Iranian ID Holders as ETS Halts Tests in Iran

Duolingo’s English proficiency test is no longer available in Iran or to users presenting Iranian-issued identification, while ETS has halted TOEFL and GRE testing inside the country following a change in US sanctions rules.

The restrictions narrow access to exams used by students seeking admission to universities overseas. Their scope differs: Duolingo’s policy applies both to people in Iran and to users with Iranian IDs, while ETS says Iranian nationals may still take the TOEFL or GRE at available locations outside the country.

The Duolingo English Test help center says the online exam is “unavailable in Iran and for users with Iranian IDs.” The brief notice does not give a reason for the restriction or explain how it affects previous purchases.

ETS ties testing halt to US sanctions change

ETS, the US-based nonprofit that administers the TOEFL and GRE exams, said it stopped offering both tests in Iran after the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control suspended General License G on August 24, 2026.

The license had authorized certain academic exchanges and educational services involving Iran. ETS described the suspension as a regulatory compliance requirement rather than a business decision.

All future TOEFL and GRE appointments inside Iran will be cancelled, according to ETS. People who paid directly through an ETS account will receive a full refund to their original payment method, while those who registered with a voucher will be contacted about their options.

Iranian nationals can continue taking the tests in other countries, subject to local availability and registration requirements. This differs from Duolingo’s stated policy, which also covers users presenting Iranian-issued identification outside Iran.

ETS also set a September 8 deadline for test takers located in Iran to request additional score reports from previous TOEFL or GRE exams. After that date, the organization says it will be unable to process new score-report requests for users in Iran for the time being.

No timeline for services to resume

OFAC lists General License G, which covered certain academic exchanges and educational services, as suspended from August 24. ETS says there is no confirmed timeline for TOEFL and GRE testing to resume in Iran.

Duolingo has not publicly linked its restriction to the OFAC action. Its support notice also does not specify an effective date, identify possible exceptions or say when access could be restored.