CANADIAN DESIGNATED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS (DLI)

Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are schools approved by provincial or territorial governments to host international students. To obtain a study permit in Canada, you must hold an acceptance letter from a DLI.

Key Highlights

• DLI Approval: Only institutions recognized by the province or territory can host international students.
• Study Permit Eligibility: You must have an offer of admission from a valid DLI to apply for a study permit.
• Institution Types: DLIs include universities, colleges, technical institutes, and language schools.
• Official DLI List: The IRCC website maintains an updated list of approved DLIs by province and territory.
• Ongoing Compliance: Institutions must meet quality standards and may lose DLI status if they fail to comply.

Finding a DLI

You can search for designated institutions on the official IRCC DLI List. The database lets you filter by province or territory to find schools offering your preferred program.