What Is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)in Canada?

A designated learning institution in Canada is a school, college, or university approved by a

provincial or territorial government to enroll international students on a study permit. If your

school is not on the approved list of designated learning institutions in Canada, IRCC will

refuse your study permit application.

That single rule makes the DLI list one of the first things to check before you apply.

What makes a school a designated learning institution in Canada?

Provincial and territorial governments, not IRCC, decide which schools qualify. Each province

sets its own criteria and submits its approved list to the federal government. Schools on that

list receive a DLI number: a unique identifier beginning with the letter O followed by digits,

such as O19395716.

Institutions that typically appear on the list include:

• Public and private universities

• Community colleges and cegeps

• Language schools approved for study permit holders

• Certain private vocational schools

• Elementary and secondary schools meeting provincial standards

Approval is not permanent. Schools that no longer meet provincial standards are removed,

and students enrolled there may face complications with their permit conditions if they do not

act quickly.

Why your choice of designated learning institution affects your immigration options

For international students, choosing a school is also an immigration decision. Two major

pathways depend directly on DLI status.

Study permit issuance. IRCC will not issue a study permit for a program at a school that is

not currently a designated learning institution in Canada. Your letter of acceptance must come

from an approved institution.

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility. Not every canada designated learning institution

qualifies for PGWP purposes. Only graduates of eligible post-secondary institutions, mostly

public colleges and universities, or certain private institutions with a specific provincial funding

agreement, can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduation. Studying at a DLI

that does not qualify for PGWP closes off the open work permit that most students rely on to

build Canadian work experience.

Express Entry and PNP pathways. Canadian Experience Class and most provincial

nominee streams require Canadian work experience. That experience typically comes from a

job held after graduation under a PGWP. Students who choose a school without verifying

PGWP eligibility can find themselves ineligible for the most accessible permanent residence

pathway after spending years and significant money on a Canadian degree.

If permanent residence is the long-term goal, confirming both DLI status and PGWP eligibility

before accepting an offer is essential.

How to find the designated learning institution list in Canada

IRCC maintains a searchable designated learning institution list on the Canada.ca website.

You can search by province, institution name, or DLI number. The list is updated when

provinces add or remove schools. Check it when you receive your letter of acceptance, not

months earlier when you were researching programs.

What your DLI number looks like. Your DLI number is printed on your study permit and

appears in your acceptance letter. It starts with the letter O. This number identifies your

school, not you personally. It is different from your study permit document number, which is

your individual permit identifier. If you are unsure which number is which on your permit, the

study permit document number post on this site explains both fields clearly.

What happens if your school loses DLI status

If a school is removed from the list of designated learning institutions in Canada after you

have started your program, your existing study permit generally remains valid for that

institution in the short term. The problem is that IRCC expects students to maintain the

conditions of their permit, including studying at a DLI. If the school's status is revoked, you

may need to transfer and update IRCC about the change.

Failing to act can affect your permit, your ability to work on campus, and future immigration

applications. If this happens, getting advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration

Consultant quickly is the most reliable way to protect your status.

Not sure whether your institution qualifies for PGWP? If your school's designation has changed, or you are uncertain whether your current institution qualifies, Amir Ansari RCIC can review your specific situation before your status is affected. Reserve a consultation with Amir.

Why this matters for your immigration application

The designated learning institution framework can look like a background administrative

detail, but it determines which immigration pathways remain open after graduation. Many

students only discover their school was not PGWP-eligible after completing their degree.

The checks that prevent this are straightforward:

1. Confirm the school is on the DLI list at the time of your letter of acceptance.

2. Confirm whether the institution qualifies for PGWP, especially for private schools.

3. Understand what notification IRCC requires if you change schools mid-program.

Students who verify these details before applying are in a much stronger position than those

who try to correct them after graduation. For a full overview of the study permit process and

PGWP eligibility, see the study permit service page. For current PGWP requirements and how

that permit fits into an Express Entry or PNP application, see the work permits page.

Frequently asked questions about designated learning institutions in Canada

What is a designated learning institution in Canada?

A designated learning institution in Canada is a school approved by a provincial or territorial

government to host international students. Only schools on the approved list can accept study

permit holders.

What is a DLI number on a study permit?

Your DLI number is your school's unique IRCC identifier. It starts with the letter O and

appears on your study permit and acceptance letter. It identifies your institution, not you as an

individual.

How do I change my designated learning institution in Canada?

If you transfer to a different school, you generally do not need a new study permit unless the

level of study changes. You should update your information through your IRCC online

account. If the transfer affects your PGWP eligibility, professional advice before finalizing the

switch is worth getting.

What are the designated learning institutions in Canada?

The full list of canada designated learning institutions is on the IRCC website, searchable by

name, province, or DLI number. Some institutions on the list are PGWP-eligible and some are

not. Check both.

Does every DLI in Canada qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit?

No. Most public colleges and universities qualify. Private institutions must have a specific

provincial funding agreement. Language schools and many private colleges do not qualify.

Always verify PGWP eligibility separately from DLI status before accepting an offer.

International students have the most to gain from early immigration planning, and the most to lose from one missed detail. If you are choosing a school with permanent residence in mind, or need to understand how your current program fits your long-term immigration plan, Amir Ansari RCIC can help. Book a focused consultation with Amir.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.