Designated Learning Institutions in Canada: DLI Guide (2026)

Choosing a school in Canada isn’t just about rankings or fees. If the school you pick isn’t a Designated Learning Institution, your study permit won’t get off the ground. And even with DLI status confirmed, a second question matters more than most students realize: does your program actually lead anywhere after you graduate?

This guide explains what DLI status means and how provinces assign it. It covers how the November 2024 Post-Graduation Work Permit rules changed things for thousands of students. It also shows how the school you choose today can shape your Express Entry score years later, and why it pays to understand how to immigrate to Canada before you commit to a program.

What Is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?

A Designated Learning Institution is a school, college or university that a province or territory has approved to host international students. Only a DLI can accept study permit holders. IRCC will not issue a study permit for a school outside this list, however good the offer looks. Education is a provincial matter in Canada, so each province runs its own approval process. IRCC relies on that approval when it decides on your study permit.

Not every DLI is the same. Some are large public universities with long histories and many campuses. Others are small private colleges with a single diploma program. Both can be on the DLI list and both can legally enroll international students. But as you’ll see below, the type of school now affects whether your diploma or degree can lead to a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Canadian study permit and Designated Learning Institution documents — A valid DLI and the right study program are important parts of studying in Canada.

How to Verify a School’s DLI Number

Every designated institution has a unique DLI number, such as O19999999999. This number should appear on your letter of acceptance. Before you pay a deposit or sign anything, search the school’s name on the official IRCC list of designated learning institutions on canada.ca. Don’t take a recruiter’s word for it. Don’t trust a screenshot or PDF someone emailed you. The list is updated often, and checking it yourself takes less than five minutes.

If a school can’t give you a valid DLI number, or the number doesn’t match IRCC’s records, treat it as a red flag and walk away. Fake admission offers aimed at international students are a real problem. A wrong DLI number is often the fastest way to spot one before you lose money.

Public vs. Private Designated Learning Institutions

Public Designated Learning Institutions include government-funded universities and colleges. Examples are members of Colleges and Institutes Canada and the U15 research universities. These schools run their own programs, set their own admission rules and issue their own credentials.

Private DLIs come in a few types. Some are independent private colleges that offer job-focused diplomas. Others use a curriculum licensing deal, where a private college teaches a program designed and licensed by a public college. This second type matters a lot for work permits. IRCC treats these licensed programs differently from programs taught directly by a public school. This is true even when the fees, campus and marketing look much the same.

Study Permits, the Provincial Attestation Letter, and DLI Selection

Since January 2024, most study permit applicants also need a Provincial Attestation Letter, or PAL. The province or territory where your DLI is located issues it. The PAL confirms you fit within that province’s share of study permits for the year. IRCC set this cap to manage fast growth in international student numbers.

Some groups are exempt, such as primary and secondary school students. The rules for master’s and doctoral students have changed more than once, so check IRCC’s current list. Most college and undergraduate applicants now need a PAL with their application before IRCC will process it.

Each province has a limited number of PALs to share among its schools. Popular schools in busy provinces like Ontario and British Columbia can run out faster than smaller schools elsewhere. This is one more reason to choose your DLI early, not a few weeks before your start date.

Canadian university campus representing a Designated Learning Institution — Canadian campuses offer international students different education and post-graduation opportunities.

PGWP Eligibility Since the November 2024 Changes

For years, finishing a program of at least eight months at any DLI was usually enough for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. That changed when IRCC linked PGWP eligibility to field of study for many college programs. Now, graduates of non-university DLIs usually need a program tied to Canada’s long-term job needs. This includes public colleges, career colleges and polytechnics. The approved fields are based on job groups such as farming, health care, STEM, trades and transport.

Degree programs at public universities have mostly been spared from the field-of-study rule. This covers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. PGWP length still depends on program length for shorter programs. Graduates of licensed programs at private colleges can no longer get a PGWP at all, whatever their field. That is why the public versus private question matters so much before you commit to a school.

Institution Type	General PGWP Outlook
Public university (degree program)	Generally eligible, largely unaffected by field-of-study list
Public college or polytechnic	Eligible only if the program matches an approved field-of-study category
Private college with curriculum licensed from a public college	No longer eligible for a PGWP
Independent private career college	Eligibility varies; verify directly with IRCC before enrolling

These rules have changed more than once in the last two years and could change again. Always recheck the field-of-study list on IRCC’s website close to your application date. Don’t assume it will stay the same.

How to Choose the Right DLI for Your Situation

Start with the program, not the school’s name or city. If it’s a college program, ask whether that specific program qualifies for a PGWP under the field-of-study rules. Ask about the program itself, not just the school. Get the answer in writing from the school’s international office. Don’t rely only on a spoken answer from an agent who may be paid by commission.

Once you’ve confirmed PGWP eligibility, compare a few practical things. Look at tuition and total cost, and the cost of living in that city. Check whether the program has a co-op or paid internship. Look at class sizes and student support. Ask whether the credential can transfer into a related degree. Cheap tuition for a program with no real PGWP path is rarely a good deal once you consider your wider immigration plans.

Designated Learning Institution pathway from study to work and permanent residence in Canada — The right Canadian study program can influence your options after graduation.

What Studying at a Canadian DLI Typically Costs

Tuition for international students varies a lot by province, school type and program level. Public college diplomas often cost about 14,000 to 20,000 Canadian dollars a year. Public university undergraduate programs often cost 20,000 to 35,000 dollars a year. Professional or specialized master’s programs can cost much more. Private colleges sometimes advertise lower fees. Always compare the total cost against the credential’s real value in the job market and its PGWP eligibility, not just the price.

On top of tuition, IRCC needs proof that you can support yourself. This usually covers your first year of tuition plus living costs. You need extra funds for any family members joining you at your Designated Learning Institution.

The Student Direct Stream used to offer faster processing for students from certain countries. IRCC ended it in November 2024. All study permit applications now go through the regular stream, so allow extra time in your plans.

Working While You Study at a DLI

Eligible study permit holders can usually work off campus without a separate work permit, up to a weekly limit set by IRCC. You must be a full-time student at a Designated Learning Institution. Your program must last at least six months and lead to a degree, diploma or certificate. The limit rose from 20 to 24 hours a week. This gives students more room to gain Canadian work experience while they study. As shown below, that experience later helps with both work permits and permanent residence.

On-campus work at your own Designated Learning Institution usually has no hourly cap for eligible students. Co-op or internship terms that are a required part of your program use a separate co-op work permit. These hours don’t count against your off-campus limit.

From DLI to Express Entry: Why This Choice Echoes Into Your CRS Score

Picking the right Designated Learning Institution isn’t only a study permit decision. It can shape your Comprehensive Ranking System score years later. A Canadian credential from a DLI adds 15 or 30 extra CRS points. This applies to a one-year certificate, a two-year diploma or a longer degree. These points come on top of the points your education already earns.

If your program also leads to a Post-Graduation Work Permit, the Canadian work experience you gain can add up to 80 CRS points on its own. It can also raise your score through skill transferability, which pairs work experience with language or education.

Enough Canadian work experience can also open the door to the Canadian Experience Class. This is one of the three programs managed through Express Entry, and it often has its own draws.

In short, a school and program that looked only slightly better on paper can lead to a much stronger Express Entry profile a few years later. Try a few scenarios in the CRS calculator above. See how much a Canadian credential and a year or two of Canadian work could raise your score.

Map of Canadian Designated Learning Institutions for international students — Designated Learning Institutions are located across Canada’s provinces and territories.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Choosing a DLI

Trusting an agent’s spoken claim about PGWP eligibility instead of getting it in writing from the school and checking IRCC’s own rules.
Checking DLI status once during early research and never again before applying months later.
Choosing a program on price alone without checking if it’s on the approved field-of-study list.
Not understanding licensed programs at private colleges, and assuming any “partner campus” gives the same PGWP result as the public college itself.
Underestimating total costs beyond tuition, such as living costs, health insurance and exchange rate changes.
Waiting too long to apply in a popular province, then finding its Provincial Attestation Letters are used up for your intake.

Quick Checklist Before You Apply

Confirm the school’s current DLI number directly against the official IRCC list.
Get written proof that your specific program, not just the school, is PGWP-eligible if it’s a college program.
Find out if the program is taught directly by a public school or through a private licensing deal.
Check if you need a Provincial Attestation Letter and confirm the province still has spaces for your intake.
Budget realistically for tuition, living costs and proof of funds before you accept an offer.
Check DLI and program eligibility again close to your application date, since rules can change.

Major Types of DLIs You’ll Encounter

Canada’s Designated Learning Institution list covers many types of schools. Knowing where a school fits helps set realistic hopes. At one end are large research universities, such as the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill and the University of Alberta. They offer well-known degrees and usually clear PGWP outcomes.

Polytechnics and large colleges mix hands-on diplomas with paths into degrees and strong industry links. Examples include Seneca Polytechnic, Conestoga College and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Smaller public colleges serve local regions. They often focus on trades, health care support or business programs. Private career colleges round out the list. Some have decades of history, while newer ones may use the licensing deals covered earlier. Language schools teaching English or French can also be a Designated Learning Institution. But these programs usually don’t lead to a PGWP on their own.

DLIs by Province: A Quick Regional Snapshot

Ontario has the most Designated Learning Institutions and international students of any province. Schools range from downtown Toronto to smaller cities like London, Kitchener and Ottawa. British Columbia is close behind, with Vancouver and Victoria drawing many students. Alberta is home to the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. It promotes itself as a lower-cost option with growing tech and energy programs.

Quebec adds its own step to the federal study permit process. Most international students going to a Quebec DLI also need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, or CAQ. This is on top of the study permit and, where needed, a Provincial Attestation Letter. Quebec’s immigration ministry issues the CAQ.

The CAQ is separate from Arrima, Quebec’s system for skilled worker immigration. But both show the same pattern: Quebec runs immigration a little differently from the rest of Canada. The Atlantic provinces, such as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, tend to have lower tuition and living costs. So do Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These provinces also have special immigration streams for graduates who stay.

Approximate Tuition Ranges by Program Type

Program Type	Typical Annual Tuition Range (CAD)
Public college diploma	$14,000 – $20,000
Public university undergraduate degree	$20,000 – $35,000
Professional or specialized master’s degree	$25,000 – $50,000+
Private career college diploma	$10,000 – $22,000
Standalone language program	$4,000 – $12,000 (varies by duration)

These figures are rough planning ranges, not fixed prices. Always confirm current tuition with the school. Costs vary by program, campus and intake year, and international fees usually rise each year.

Language Requirements and Admission Testing

Most Designated Learning Institutions need proof of English or French for admission. For English programs, this is usually IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, the Duolingo English Test or CELPIP. For French programs in Quebec, it’s usually TEF Canada or TCF Canada.

Required scores vary by school and program level. Graduate programs usually ask for higher scores than diplomas or undergraduate programs. Some DLIs offer conditional admission with an English for Academic Purposes bridge program. This helps if your scores fall just short and you need more time.

The test you take for immigration, such as IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for Express Entry, is scored differently from the academic tests many schools require. A strong academic score doesn’t always mean a strong CRS language score. Check the exact benchmark conversion.

International student at a Canadian campus, a Designated Learning Institution in Canada — Choosing the right Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can influence your study permit, Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility, and future immigration pathway in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Designated Learning Institution status only means the school can host international students. PGWP eligibility depends on your program, the school type and IRCC’s current field-of-study rules.

IRCC publishes and updates the list of designated learning institutions on canada.ca. This is the only source you should trust to confirm a school’s current status.

Yes. Provinces and territories can add or remove schools from the DLI list at any time. Check again shortly before you apply for your study permit, even if you checked earlier.

Most applicants do, but some groups are exempt, such as primary and secondary school students. The rules for master’s and doctoral students have changed in recent years. Confirm your situation with the province and your DLI, since IRCC sets and updates the exempt groups.

Yes, indirectly. A Canadian credential adds its own CRS points. Canadian work experience gained later on a Post-Graduation Work Permit can add much more, both directly and through skill transferability.

It can be, especially for independent private Designated Learning Institutions with programs in high-demand fields. The key is to check PGWP eligibility and accreditation yourself. Don’t assume private schools give the same result as public colleges.

Usually yes, but the rules changed in recent years to reduce misuse. If you move to a new DLI, you usually must tell IRCC. You’re often expected to start at the new school within a set time. Switching too often, or leaving a program early without a clear reason, can raise questions in future applications. Plan any transfer carefully.

Not always. A school’s name can affect how hard it is to get in, and sometimes job prospects. But PGWP eligibility depends on the school type and, for college programs, the field of study. A smaller public college with a program on the approved list can give a more reliable PGWP result than an unknown private school with an unclear licensing deal.

Yes. Only graduates of an eligible Designated Learning Institution can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. The program must also be PGWP-eligible, since some short or exchange programs don’t qualify.

Yes. In most cases you can move to a different Designated Learning Institution without a new study permit. But you usually need to tell IRCC through your online account before you start at the new school.

No. Only schools approved by a province or territory and added to the official DLI list can host international students. Confirm a school’s status before you apply.

Want to see how a Canadian credential and future work experience could change your ranking? Head back to try different education and work scenarios. Or read our full guide on how to calculate your CRS score for a breakdown of every factor.