Designated Learning Institution List

Designated Learning Institution List

Canada offers lots of unique opportunities for international students since they have great chances to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, find friends, and even gain work experience while studying. However, international students can apply only to the colleges and universities that are on the designated learning institutions list, also known as DLI (Designated Learning Institution List). These are educational institutions that have a permit from a provincial or territorial government of Canada to host international students. Also, they have a unique designated learning institution number (DLI #) that always starts with a letter O. If you plan to study in Canada, remember that you will be required to provide a letter of acceptance and a DLI number (Designated Learning Institution List) while applying for a study permit.

It is worth mentioning, that all Canadian primary and secondary schools are automatically on the designated learning institution list and do not have a separate DLI(Designated Learning Institution List) number. Sometimes there are exceptions, for example, a designated learning institution may not have a DLI number, or international students do not have to provide a letter of acceptance from the chosen institution while applying for a study permit. In the province of Quebec, some educational institutions have a DLI(Designated Learning Institution List) status given by the provincial government, and they do not need to have a unique DLI number(Designated Learning Institution List). When a family member from a foreign country receives a Canadian work permit or study permit, other member of this family can get an open study permit.

Remember, that mentioned on the designated learning institutions list colleges and universities can sometimes lose their status. International students can be disturbed by this situation, but they have several options to proceed with in the process of their application for a Canadian study permit. It is important to know, that you do not have to put your studies on hold if your school is going to lose the DLI status during the time of your study permit validity.

First of all, before you apply for a study permit in Canada, you must check that you submit a letter of acceptance from the institution with an eligible DLI number, otherwise, your study permit application will be rejected. If this happens and you get a letter of acceptance from another designated learning institution, you are allowed to apply for a study permit in Canada one more time. When you submit a letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution that loses its status during the period of consideration of your study permit application, you have three options to consider:

1. You can submit a letter of acceptance from another institution with the eligible DLI number (Designated Learning Institution List) and have an opportunity to get an education in Canada;
2. You can withdraw your study permit application, but in this case, you will not have a chance to study in Canada at the time planned;
3. You can do nothing and wait for the results based on the information you have provided. But in this case, your study permit application will be rejected, and you will not be able to study in Canada in the next semester or year.

Sometimes the designated learning institution can lose its status after the international students get their study permits. In this case, the students have two options. Firstly, they can transfer to another designated learning institution in Canada. Secondly, they can proceed to study at the non-designated institution until the expiration of their study permit. In this case, international students will not be able to renew the study permits for the non-designated institution when they expire. However, they can enroll in a school from the designated learning institution list after graduation and renew their study permits successfully.

If you do not know the designated learning institution number of the school you want to attend, then follow these four easy steps: 

• First, you have to visit the official web page of the Government of Canada that has a complete list of designated learning institutions in the country.
• Second, there is a window with a list of territories and provinces at the bottom of the page. You have to choose the location of your institution in this window. 
• Third, you have to find your school on the long list of all designated learning institutions in the chosen province or territory. However, you can filter the results, typing in the window the name of your school or the city it is located in. This option will help you to find your school and save time. 
• Fourth, you have to write the designated learning institution number under the section Details of intended study in Canada on your study permit application. Also, you can copy it to any application suitable for you or write it down in a notebook. In this case, you will be able to access it anywhere and anytime.

It is important to remember, that except for the number of the designated learning institution, you can also find much additional information about your chosen school online. For example, whether it offers a post-graduation work permit program, as many international students plan to work in Canada after graduation. To be sure that you are eligible to work in Canada, choose the designated learning institution with the post-graduation work permit program on the designated learning institution list. It is worth mentioning, that your initial choice of school with the post-graduation work permit program will help you to avoid many challenges after graduation. If you meet all the requirements of the program, you will have better chances to stay and work in Canada.

You must remember, that today Canadian designated learning institutions have to adapt to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, not all schools can welcome international students who currently live outside Canada. Before going to study in Canada, you have to find your educational institution on the list of designated learning institutions with approved COVID-19 readiness plans. If your school is not on the list, you will not be able to enter Canada. It is worth mentioning, you can always check whether your school is on the list of designated learning institutions with approved COVID-19 readiness plans online.

Remember, designated learning institutions are constantly added to this list if they meet all public health requirements. If your school is not on the list, you can also visit its website. There you will find more information about its status and when it will be reopened, and some other important updates. Also, you have to visit the website of your educational institution and read information about its COVID-19 readiness plan before you travel to Canada.

You have to be aware that the Canadian Government has updated requirements for travel to the country that are effective from February 21, 2021. According to these rules, you must do a new test and meet all quarantine requirements when coming to Canada. Additionally, the government issued new requirements for those who travel by car and those who use international airlines. Consequently, you have to know all these requirements and what you have to do before and after your arrival to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Designated learning institution list consists of schools, colleges, and universities, that are accredited by the Canadian provincial or territorial authorities, that are allowed to grant this status. It means that each institution offers international students a high-quality education and a variety of additional opportunities. Your task is to choose the school that meets all your needs and requirements. To get access to the best academic experience, high educational standards, rich extracurricular programs, and future job prospects -  please consider only the designated learning institutions and enjoy studying in Canada.

If you need help with transferring you from one college to another or need admission to one of the DLI (Designated Learning Institution List) Colleges, please contact us or fill in application below.