Canadian Immigration News

Why Are Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) Important for International Students?

5.75 minute read
"As an international student, there are two steps to coming to Canada. You will need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to be eligible to apply for a Study Permit to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)."
Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on:  Sep 29, 2021
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As an international student, there are two steps to coming to Canada. You will need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to be eligible to apply for a Study Permit to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

A DLI is any school that can admit international students. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs. However, post-secondary institutions require approval from the provincial government to admit international students and be considered as DLI. 

If you are planning to come to Canada for post-secondary education, then you must ensure that the institution you are interested in is eligible to admit international students. Graduating from certain DLIs will also allow you to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after the completion of your study program. 

International students with valid Study Permits can change their school, program, field, or level of study without applying for a new permit for notifying the IRCC. They can simply update this information on their MyCIC account. 

How to Identify Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs)?

All post-secondary institutions in Canada that are eligible to admit international students will have a unique DLI number. This number will begin with the letter “O” and can be found on the Study Permit application form. 

As an international student, you must first ensure that your institution is a DLI. If you have applied for a university with several campuses or smaller colleges in different locations, then every location will have a different DLI number. 

Can International Students Enroll in Non-DLI Schools?

No. If a school is not designated by the provincial or territorial government to admit international students, then you can not apply for it. If you do apply, your application will be refused. 

If the school you are currently enrolled at loses its DLI status, then you will be allowed to remain at the school until the completion of your study program. You may also be required to transfer to an alternate DLI if that option is available. 

Are All Primary and Secondary Schools DLIs?

Yes. As mentioned above, all primary and secondary institutions in Canada are eligible to admit international students. Most of these institutions offer education from Grade 1 to Grade 12. Minor children accompanying international students can enroll in these institutions without requiring a separate Study Permit.

How to Change Your Canadian DLI Number?

Now, as an international student, you are permitted to change your institution, program, and level or field of study. Based on your intended change, you will be required to notify the concerned immigration authorities and apply for a new Study Permit or get a visa extension on your existing permit. 

How Can International Students Change Their Study Programs?

If you change your study program within the same DLI, then there is no need to apply for a renewed or extended Study Permit. You don’t even need to contact the IRCC to update them on the change. However, there are a few exceptions under the following circumstances:

  • If your Study Permit lists certain conditions which will be affected by changing your program, then you will have to contact the IRCC to update them of the changes
  • If the new study program will last longer than the duration of your existing Study Permit, then you will have to apply for an extension of your Study Permit before its original expiration date

How Can International Students Change Their DLI?

If you are planning to transfer institutions within the same level of study, then you will not require a new Study Permit. However, you will still be required to notify the IRCC of the change in the institution. You must also ensure that the institution you are transferring to is designated to admit international students. 

If you are planning to transfer to an institution inside the province of Quebec, then you will be required to apply for a Quebec Certificate of Acceptance (Certificat D’Acceptation Du Québec, CAQ). 

To change your DLI, you will need:

  • An online account. Even if you submitted your Study Permit application by mail, you will be required to create an online account and link your application
  • Your Study Permit number: listed on the top right corner of your Study Permit, begins with the letter ‘S’
  • Your New Institution’s DLI number: You can find on the list of Canadian DLI numbers
  • Your Student ID number: listed in the letter of acceptance from your new school
  • The start date of your new study program

You can start this process by signing in to your online account. After that, find the section listed as “Designated Learning Institution Student Transfer” and select the “Transfer from DLI number.”

You will be required to enter more information about your original Study Permit application. You can then enter your new DLI number, your student ID number, and the start date of your new school. Once this is done, review all the information and click Confirm Transfer. You will receive a notification to confirm that the transfer is complete.

How Can International Students Change Their Level of Study?

Based on your level of study, you may be required to apply for a new Study Permit or notify the IRCC. Under the following circumstances, you will be required to apply for a new Study Permit or notify the IRCC:

Starting Secondary Education: 

While you don't need to apply for a Study Permit if you are simply starting your secondary education after completing your primary school, you will be required to inform the IRCC of your new DLI. 


Starting Post-Secondary Education: 

If you are switching from secondary to post-secondary education, then you will be required to apply for a new Study Permit. If you are switching between different levels of post-secondary education, for example, from Bachelor’s to a Master’s degree, then you do not need a new Study Permit.

If you are changing schools or if you are switching to a new study program that will last beyond the validity of your current Study Permit, then you will be required to inform the IRCC or apply for an extension.

How Can International Students Transfer to a DLI In Quebec?

Quebec has an immigration system that provides it more control over the nomination of foreign nationals for residence in the province. Therefore, if you plan to transfer to a DLI in Quebec, then you will be required to obtain a Quebec Certificate of Acceptance (Certificat D’Acceptation Du Québec, CAQ). Once you have obtained your CAQ, there is usually no need to apply for a new Study Permit. However, you will be required to inform the IRCC of the changes.

If you are planning to transfer from one Quebec DLI to another, then you may require a new CAQ under the following conditions:

  • If you are changing the level of your study
  • If the new study program will last beyond the expiration date of your current CAQ
  • If transferring institutions or study programs will affect any conditions listed on your CAQ
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