If you have been wondering what a designated learning institution is in Canada, this guide is what you need to understand it better. This article explains what it means, who benefits from it and how to choose one?
What is a Designated Learning Institution?
Also called DLI, a designated learning institution is a school or “place of formal education” that has gained the approval by either a provincial or territorial government to host international students looking to study in Canada.
Who is the DLI Meant for?
International students from different parts of the world intending to school in Canada are required to get an admission at a designated learning institution.
Why do International Students Need to Attend a DLI?
If you have been intending to study in Canada, meeting the relevant requirements is a must. In addition, you need to get an admission offer from a DLI because it is part of the criteria to get a study permit.
Getting an acceptance offer from a designated learning institution is also important because of these reasons:
Planning to Attend a Post-Secondary Education
Having a school on the DLI list is an important criteria to get study permit in Canada. Also, international students looking to study at a post-secondary school need this.
The Duration of the Program
The Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is important if the international students intend on studying for more than six (6) months in the country.
Which Institutions are on the DLI List?
Not all schools are on the list. For example, all the primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated. They also don’t appear on the list.
The institutions that appear on the designated learning nstitution are the post-secondary schools. Not all of these are designated, so making a manual check will help you know which is there or not.
Exemptions to the Designated Learning Institution
International students looking to study in Canada may not be required to enter a DLI number on their study permit application. They may not also be asked to get an acceptance offer from a designated learning institution. All that is ased on some conditions, such as:
Absence of Unique DLI Number
Some schools in Quebec do not have a unique Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number, even though the provincial government has granted them designated.
Applicants at Automatically-Designated Institutions
International students applying to either a primary or secondary school in Canada are exempt from providing an acceptance from a DLI. Since those schools have been automatically designated, you don’t need a proof to get your student visa.
Leaning on a Family Member
If you have a family member in Canada who has an approved study permit or work permit, you will be exempted from proving your admission at a DLI
List of Designated Learning Institutions in Canada
Canada has a wide range of DLIs, each broken down ino their respective provinces. Also, each has a unique number, called the DLI number. This is the number you will be asked to enter in your student permit application as an international student.
DLIs in Alberta
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| ABM College of Business and Technology | O242632228347 | Calgary |
| ACE Career College | O278284584102 | Calgary |
| AGA Academy | O267527550052 | Calgary |
| Academy of Learning Calgary | O19273743562 | Calgary |
| Academy of Learning Edmonton | O19273755422 | Edmonton |
| Academy of Learning Edmonton South | O19273765312 | Edmonton |
DLIs in British Columbia
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| ACE Community College | O275682376662 | Surrey |
| ARV Canada College | O19394940254 | Richmond |
| Academy of Excellence Hair Design & Aesthetics Ltd. | O123960086627 | Victoria |
| Academy of Learning College – Abbotsford | O212477056057 | Abbotsford, Langley |
| Academy of Learning College – Langley | O212477063807 | Langley |
| Academy of Learning College – Victoria | O19395300024 | Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Victoria |
Designated Learning Institutions in Manitoba
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Academy of Learning Winnipeg North (Computerized Accounting) | O143830057202 | Winnipeg |
| Air Andrew Ltd. | O270706191422 | Virden |
| Assiniboine Community College | O19201282282 | Winnipeg |
| Aveda Institute Winnipeg (Hairstyling) | O19375444982 | Winnipeg |
| Booth University College | O19147992362 | Winnipeg |
| Brandon Flight School at Assiniboine Community College | O156925031542 | Brandon |
DLIs in New Brunswick, Canada
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Atlantic Business College | O19273824102 | Fredericton |
| Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) | O19391556654 | Shippagan |
| Crandall University | O19391275763 | Sussex |
| East Coast Trades College | O259056599482 | Fredericton |
| Moncton Flight College | O19274437002 | Dieppe |
| New Brunswick Bible Institute Inc. | O111394075331 | Victoria Corner |
DLIs in Newfoundland and Labrador
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Academy Canada | O19441333188 | Corner Brook |
| Centre for Nursing Studies | O19441089096 | St. John’s |
| College of the North Atlantic | O19441088976 | Baie Verte |
| Eastern Academy | O278103348412 | St. John’s |
| Gander Flight Training (Exploits Valley Air Service) | O19441196787 | Gander |
| Keyin College (Future First Inc.) | O19441276742 | Gander |
Designated Learning Institutions in the Northwest Territories
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Aurora College | O19348462392 | Fort Smith |
| Aurora College | O19348462392 | Inuvik |
| Aurora College | O19348462392 | Yellowknife |
DLIs in Nova Scotia
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Academy of Cosmetology | O214965234137 | Dartmouth |
| Academy of Learning College – Halifax | O111596476281 | Halifax |
| Acadia University | O19391556792 | Wolfville |
| Apex Language and Career College | O19330669492 | Halifax |
| CBBC Career College | O137691023352 | Sydney |
| CLLC Halifax | O19209875232 | Halifax |
DLIs in Ontario
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| A1-Global College of Health, Business, and Technology | O19394699296 | Mississauga |
| ABC Access Business College | O242732890457 | Brampton |
| ABM College of Health and Technology | O284235625552 | Toronto |
| Académie de Dessin de Mode Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design | O119063232417 | Ottawa |
| Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Inc. | O19376386952 | Toronto |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | O147996700392 | North York |
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Quebec
International students intending to study in post-secondary schools in the provnince of Quebec should do the following:
- Not indicate a Designated Learning Institution Number (DLI #) if the institution is either a primary or secondary school.
- Keep in mind that their preferred course is considered designated if they have been issued an attestation of issuance of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Below is a list of DLIs in the Quebec province.
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Académie de beauté Gordon-Robertson | O246872714018 | Beaconsfield |
| Académie de l’entrepreneurship | O19338214982 | Montréal |
| Académie des pompiers | O246874709166 | Mirabel |
| Biopterre – Centre de développement des bioproduits | O19359010254 | La Pocatière |
| Bishop’s University | O19359010995 | Sherbrooke |
| CFP des Portages-de-l’Outaouais (CFPPO) -Immeuble Asticou | O246878951490 | Gatineau |
DLIs in Prince Edward Island
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Academy of Learning – PEI | O19220171562 | Charlottetown |
| Collège de l’Île | O19220114112 | DeBlois |
| Great Wisdom Institute of Advanced Buddhist Learning | O275896907902 | Vernon Bridge Brudenell |
| Holland College | O19220082122 | Alberton |
| Institute of Advanced Learning | O19220185032 | Charlottetown |
| Marguerite Connolly Training and Consulting | O19220652372 | Charlottetown |
DLIs in Saskatchewan
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Academy of Fashion Design | O110820050587 | Saskatoon |
| Academy of Learning College – Saskatoon | O212421004567 | Saskatoon |
| Briercrest College and Seminary | O19425193620 | Caronport |
| Collège Mathieu | O242735687677 | Gravelbourg |
| College of Emmanuel and St Chad | O122051172047 | Saskatoon |
| Elite Hairstyling and Esthetics Training Center | O132526861247 | Moose Jaw |
Designated Learning Institutions in Yukon
| Institution Name | Designated Learning Institution Number ((DLI #) | City |
| Alkan Air Ltd. | O259417724532 | Whitehorse |
| Yukon University | O19604209351 | Carcross |
| Yukon University | O19604209351 | Watson Lake |
| Yukon University | O19604209351 | Haines Junction |
The above is only a list of a few of the DLIs in each province. At the time of writing, the province of Nunavut doesn’t have one. The full list of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada can be viewed on the IRCC website.
About the DLI Number
The Designated Learning Institution Number (DLI #) is a unique identifier assigned by the Canadian government to each of the DLIs in the country’s provinces.
- The DLI number typically starts with the letter “O” and has up to 13 digits.
- International students are required to provide this number/identifier for the university or college they are attending in Canada.
How to Check if Your Institution is Designated
To find out if your preferred Canadian college or university is designated, follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the Immigration,Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Select Immigration and Citizenship from the drop-down menu or use this link.
- Choose Study.
- Click on Find a School.
- Choose the province or territory your school is located.
- Enter the name of the institution if you know it. Other options include entering the city name or the first name of the school.
- Find the DLI number (it will be displayed on the right-hand side beside the name of the institution.
- Write down the number. You will need to add it to the required field in your student permit application form.
How to Change Your DLI Number
International students will only be able to change their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)’s number if they are transferring to another school. The reason is that the identifier is unique to each institution. So, what University or College A has is not the same identifier as College B.
Keep these in mind before initiating the transfer:
- You must notify the IRCC of the intention to change your institution.
- The new institution, college or university you wish to transfer or change to must be designated to accept international students.
- There may be no need to change your DLI if you are transferring to an institution within the same level of study. However, the IRCC must be duly notified.
Documents Needed to Effect a DLI Number Change
The following documents are needed to successfully begin the process of transferring your DLI number:
- The Letter of Acceptance and DLI number of the neww school you wish to transfer to.
- A copy of your study permit.
- The Letter of Acceptance from your previous/former Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Steps to Changing Your DLI Number in Canada
It is a pretty forward process. You need to have an online account with MyCIC. If you don’t have one, create one to link your transfer application.
These are the steps:
- Log into your online account and select the Transfer from DLI number option from the Designated Learning Institution Student Transfer.
- Provide details of your initial/original study permit.
- Provide information about your new DLI, including start date, your student ID number and the school’s DLI number.
- Review the information you provided to be sure they are accurate.
- Click on “Submit Transfer” to complete the process.
Lost DLI Status: What to Do
As an international student in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI); there is a risk there. The college or university may lose the status or recognition as a DLI. Thus, putting your education in jeoardy.
What to Do When DLI is Lost During Studies
Institutions may be de-designated for a variety of reasons. Students who have already received a study permit before the school lost its DLI can do any of the following:
- Continue studying the applied program at the institution. This works best if you have already started studying before the school was de-designated. In this case, you’d be able to keep studying until your current study permit You wouldn’t be able to renew the permit for the now non-designated institution. You will have to enroll at a new DLI.
- It may be better to transfer immediately to a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
What to Do in the Case of Non-Issued Study Permit
In this case, the IRCC will send you a request to provide a new letter of acceptance from a new DLI. On the approval of your study permit, update the needed information about your new DLI in the MyAccount section.
In the Case of Deferred Enrolment
If you had already deferred your enrolment at the DLI before it lost its status, the IRCC says that you cannot start studying there. Check and apply for a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
DLI & PGWP: What You Must Know
International students in Canada must be intentional about the Designated Learning Institution (DLI), as that affects their changes of getting work after graduation. Being a graduate of certain DLIs can increase one’s chance of applying for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) on the completion of a study program.
- Some of the DLIs offer PGWP-eligible programs.
- Qualification for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is also subject to other criteria, including taking accelerated programs, being a Quebec graduate of vocational and occupational training programs, and;
- If your Canadian study program has an overseas component.
Conclusion
Studying at a Desinated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada gives you the assurance of quality education, flexibility and flexibility to work up to 20 hours off campus, during the regular terms and provided you meet the requirements.
On graduation, you can also qualify to get a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) if you meet the requirements, one of which is not having taken an unathorized leave from your study program.