Designated Learning Institution

Designated Learning Institution

Introduction：

Tourists can change their status to study in Canada. In most cases, prospective international students who intend to study in Canada need an acceptance letter from Designated Learning Institutions when applying for a Canadian study permit. Applicants must provide the designated learning institution number (DLI #) starting with the letter “O” on the student visa application form.

Some applicants are exempt from the letter of acceptance requirement for study permit applications, including but not limited to:

1. Students attending in primary and secondary schools in Canada. They aren’t included in the DLI list
2. Family members of foreign nationals whose application for a work or study permit is approved in writing before the foreign national enters
3. Some institutions in Quebec are designated by the provincial government, but do not have a unique DLI number

Sometimes, institutions may lose their designated status. Depending on when the status is lost, the international student may be affected.

1. The student’s study permit application will be refused if the institution is not on the DLI list
2. If the prospective student’s study permit application is processing while the institution loses its designated status, the student has three options:
3. Withdraw the application
4. Submit a letter of acceptance from a different designated institution
5. Do nothing, then the application will be refused
6. If the prospective student’s study permit application is approved however the institution loses its designated status, the student has two options:
7. Transfer to another designated institution
8. Continuing at the institution until the study permit expires

DLI list in BC

For more information regarding the DLI, please visit the official website for Canada’s immigration ministry:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.html