Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)

Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)

A DLI, or Designated Learning Institution, is a school that accepts overseas students. A letter of approval from a DLI is required to get a study permit in Canada.

Designated Learning Institution Number

Every post-secondary institution that accepts overseas students has its own DLI number. The DLI number can be found on the application form for a study permit. It is the number that starts with the letter "O".
If you wish to study in Canada as an international student, first check to see if your school is on the list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). A list of Canadian authorised learning institutions can be found here.
Smaller institutions or schools with many campuses may have a distinct DLI number for each location.

Non DLI Schools

If a school is not designated as a DLI by its provincial or territorial government, it cannot accept international students.
If you apply for a study permission at a non-DLI school, it will be denied. If the school where you are studying loses its DLI designation, you can stay until your study permission expires. Otherwise, you may or may not transfer to another DLI.

Primary and Secondary Schools

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs.
In most provinces, these schools educate students from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve. When a student completes secondary school, they are awarded a high school diploma.
Minor children who are financially dependent do not require a study permit. If you bring small children to Canada on a work or study permit, they will be able to attend school. It is not necessary to apply for a separate study permit.

How to Change a Canadian DLI Number

A foreign national studying in Canada with a valid study permit may alter their level of study, institution of study, and/or programme of study. They may, however, be required to notify the appropriate immigration office, apply for a new study permit, or obtain a study permit extension, depending on the desired change.

Changing Programs

If an international student wishes to change programmes within the same designated learning institution (DLI), there is no need to amend their study visa or notify IRCC. There are a few exceptions to this rule:
- If the foreign national's study permit has specific restrictions, and if these conditions are affected by the change in programmes, they must contact IRCC to notify them of the changes.
- If the foreign national enrols in a programme that lasts longer than the validity of their study permit, they must seek to extend their study permit before the initial expiration date.

Changing Schools

If an international student transfers institutions within the same level of study, they are not required to seek a new study permit, but they must notify IRCC of the change in schools. Because non-DLI institutions are not authorised to accept international students, the student must ensure that the new institution is a designated learning institution (DLI).
If a foreign citizen intends to move from an institution located outside of the province of Quebec to an institution located inside the province of Quebec, they must first get a certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ). This is because Quebec has special criteria for international students.

Transferring to a School in Quebec

Quebec retains more authority over international student authorization than the rest of Canada's provinces and territories. As a result, acquiring a study permission for a Quebec college requires an additional step. A foreign national must first get a certificat d'acceptation du Québec before applying for a study permit (CAQ). Only once the student has received a CAQ can they apply for a study permit.
This CAQ requirement will affect international students transferring from a university outside of Quebec to an institution within Quebec. The student would first need to receive a CAQ from the Quebec government in order to accomplish such a transfer. There is normally no need to apply for a new study permit once they have a CAQ. However, the student should notify IRCC of any changes.
Foreign nationals who desire to transfer from one Quebec institution to another may require a new CAQ for studies if they fall into one of the following categories:
- If the student's level of study changes, they must get a new CAQ.
- If a foreign national's studies continue beyond the CAQ's expiry date, they must apply for a new CAQ.

Transferring institutions or programmes that will modify the conditions mentioned on the CAQ must notify the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité, et de l'Inclusion (MIDI) and may need the issuance of a new CAQ.