Study permits: Designated learning institutions (DLIs)

As per paragraph 216(1)(e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), the issuance of study permits is limited to applicants who have been accepted to undertake a program of study at an educational institution that is designated to host international students (a designated learning institution [DLI]), and, in the case of post-secondary DLIs, whose acceptance has been confirmed by the DLI.

Section R211.1 provides the definition of a DLI:

• all primary and secondary institutions in Canada, which are automatically designated, unless the province or territory in which they are located has entered into an agreement or arrangement with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order to designate specific educational institutions
• at the post-secondary level, educational institutions designated by provinces and territories for the purpose of hosting international students (an evergreen list of DLIs at the post-secondary level is available on the IRCC website)
• learning institutions that are administered by a federal department or agency

Subject to certain exceptions, study permit applications, including renewals, must include a letter of acceptance (LOA) issued by a DLI.

On this page

• Enrolled at the DLI named in the study permit
  • Attending more than 1 DLI
  • Joint programs (multiple credentials)
  • Joint programs issuing a single credential
• Exceptions to providing an LOA from a DLI
• Changing designated learning institutions
  • Studying at new DLI while application is in progress
  • Transitioning between levels of study
  • Dual-credit programs at the secondary level
• DLI number
  • Applications processed at overseas and in Canada offices
    • Primary and secondary level institutions
    • Post-secondary institutions
    • Corrections during processing
  • Applications processed at the port of entry
• Assessing the DLI’s standing
  • Loss of designation
    • Application received after DLI lost designated status
    • Application received before DLI lost designated status
  • DLI suspension
    • Application received during period of DLI suspension
    • Application received before DLI suspension
  • Loss of designation or suspension after the issuance of a study permit

Enrolled at the DLI named in the study permit

As of November 08, 2024, post-secondary study permit holders must be enrolled at the designated learning institution (DLI) named on their permit [R220.1(1)(a)]. Post-secondary study permits issued after this coming into force date will automatically include the DLI name based on the DLI Organization/Entity ID associated to the application.

Post-secondary study permits issued prior to November 08, 2024, and applicants exempted from LOA requirements under R219(2), will not have the DLI name printed on the permit. Students can continue to study at their current DLI as long as their study permit is still valid.

Refer to Study permits: Assessing study permit conditions for more information.

Attending more than 1 DLI

If a study permit holder wishes to concurrently attend more than 1 DLI, they must apply for a study permit for each DLI at which they intend to study.

Officers should assess the student’s ability to fulfill the conditions of their study permit while pursuing multiple programs at the same time.

Joint programs (multiple credentials)

Students pursuing an academic program that is offered jointly by more than 1 institution in Canada (such as 2 universities or a university and a college) must ensure that they hold a valid study permit for each designated learning institution (DLI) before they begin studying there.

For more information on joint programs see Study permits: Letters of acceptance (LOAs).

Joint programs issuing a single credential

Students pursuing a joint program that results in a single credential may be issued

• one provincial/territorial attestation letter from the province or territory of the DLI issuing the credential and
• one study permit for the DLI issuing the credential for the entire duration of their studies (or for the duration of their passport validity, whichever comes first).

The DLI issuing the credential must

• issue the LOA with no academic conditions required to advance to the next DLI in the joint program
• complete the LOA verification activity
• complete the international student compliance regime report, which includes reporting on the student when they are studying at any other DLI that is part of the administration of the joint program

Exceptions to providing an LOA from a DLI

Pursuant to paragraph R219(2), a foreign national is not required to provide a letter of acceptance (LOA) from a DLI if they meet both of the following requirements:

• are applying for a study permit before entering Canada
• are an accompanying family member of a foreign national whose application for a work or study permit has been approved in writing before their entry to Canada

Applicants meeting the above criteria may be exempt from the requirement to provide a Letter of acceptance (that is, an open study permit, not attached to a DLI). The duration of the family member’s study permit must be the same as the duration of the work or study permit issued to the principal applicant.

In GCMS, a file cannot be closed unless it is associated with a DLI. In order to close files of spouses, common-law partners and dependent children intending to study at the post-secondary level, an Organization ID record has been created. Officers must proceed as follows:

• Organization ID: O110784297221 (DLI name: Open Study Permit)
• Level of Study: Not applicable
• Compliance Verification: Open Study Permit
• Other Description: Family member

The above organization identification number must be used to finalize these cases in GCMS, and the “Compliance Verification” field must be set to “Open Study Permit” to prevent the issuance of compliance reporting requests for students who are not subject to study permit conditions outlined in subsection R220.1(1).

Changing designated learning institutions

As of November 08, 2024, section R217.1 requires study permit holders in Canada, whose permit names a DLI, must apply for a new study permit if they wish to switch DLIs.

This requirement applies to post-secondary study permit holders:

• University for Bachelor’s degree
• University for Master’s Degree
• University for Doctorate
• University – Other Studies
• CEGEP – pre-university
• CEGEP – technical
• College – certificate
• College – diploma
• College – applied degree
• ESL/FSL
• ESL/FSL and College
• ESL/FSL and University

Applicants with applications in progress on or after November 08, 2024 who wish to switch DLIs must inform IRCC and submit a new Letter of Acceptance through the IRCC webform.

Post-secondary study permits issued prior to November 08, 2024, and applicants exempted from LOA requirements under R219(2), will not have the DLI name printed on the permit. These study permit holders are encouraged to apply for a new study permit when changing DLIs to ensure accuracy in student compliance reporting.

For more information on assessing students who have changed DLIs see Study permits: Assessing study permit conditions.

Studying at new DLI while application is in progress

As per section R189.1, eligible study permit holders will be allowed to study at the new DLI without a valid study permit until a decision is made on their study permit application for the new DLI.

To be eligible, they must meet the following criteria:

• they have remained in Canada since they received their LOA from the new DLI
• they have continued to comply with the conditions set out in their previous study permit, other than remaining enrolled at the previous DLI
• before they completed their course or program of study, the previous DLI:
  • closed,
  • discontinued the course or program of study,
  • was placed on the suspension list, or
  • lost its designated status.

Students who meet the above criteria are instructed to provide the following in their application to switch DLIs:

• a letter of explanation outlining the basis on which they are switching DLIs
• documentary proof to support the reason (DLI closing, discontinuing the program, placed on the suspension list or loss of designation)

If they have an application in progress, and their DLI closes, discontinues their course or program of study, is placed on the suspension list or loses its designated status they must submit the above via IRCC webform.

Transitioning between levels of study

Study permit holders moving between primary and secondary levels can continue their studies if their study permit is still valid and they are not prohibited by their study permit conditions.

Secondary students whose study permit only authorizes studies at the primary or secondary level must apply for a new study permit in order to pursue studies at the post-secondary level (applicable to dependants accompanying the parent on study/work permit, as per subsection 30(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). Students who are transitioning from secondary to post-secondary studies and have submitted their application for a post-secondary study permit prior to their current study permit expiring, may begin their studies while they wait for their application to be finalized. If their study permit application is refused, they must stop studying immediately.

Students who want to work while pursuing post-secondary studies must wait until their post-secondary study permit is approved and have the appropriate work authorizations listed on the study permit prior to working.

Students moving between post-secondary levels (bachelors to masters, etc.) at the same DLI can continue their studies with their current valid study permit as long as they are not prohibited by their study permit conditions.

Dual-credit programs at the secondary level

Students do not need to change their study permit when participating in a dual-credit program if they have both of the following:

• a valid study permit authorizing them to attend any secondary school
• only registered and enrolled at a secondary school

DLI number

“DLI number” is the external term used for Organization ID in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). This number is assigned to a post-secondary institution once IRCC receives confirmation of its designated status from its provincial or territorial ministry of education. A list of all DLIs at the post-secondary level, along with their respective DLI numbers, is available on the IRCC website.

Officers must ensure that the correct DLI number is associated with the application. DLIs are strongly encouraged to include their DLI number on the letters of acceptance and letters of enrolment issued, as applicants destined to an educational institution at the post-secondary level are asked to include a valid DLI number on their study permit application form [IMM 1294] and on their application to change conditions, extend their stay or remain in Canada as a student [IMM 5709].

Exception (applicants not required to attend a DLI): applicants who are exempt from the letter of acceptance requirement under paragraph R219(2)(a).

Applications processed at overseas and in Canada offices

Primary and secondary level institutions

All institutions at primary and secondary levels are automatically designated [R211.1(a)(iv)], unless the province or territory in which they are located has entered into an agreement or arrangement with the Minister of IRCC to designate specific educational institutions.

Post-secondary institutions

Officers must associate the appropriate DLI number with the study permit application, including renewals. For the post-secondary level, they may consult the Designated Learning Institution List (DLI).

Corrections during processing

If an officer finds that an applicant has incorrectly selected a data field (for example, under level of study “CEGEP – Technical” instead of the applicable College option for a DLI), the officer should correct the GCMS record.

• For example, if an applicant in a Quebec vocational studies programs selected the incorrect level of study (college level), officer must correct to PTC/TCST/DVS/AVS level in GCMS.

Applications processed at the port of entry 

For study permit applications processed overseas, the DLI number will already be associated to the file. The Institution Name, Field of Study and Level of Study printed on the permit will be updated according to the GCMS application. See Study permits: Final decisions for more information.

For post-secondary study permit applications processed at a port of entry (POE), officers must review the designated learning institutions list and assess the DLI’s standing to confirm they are designated to host international students and have not been placed on the suspension list.

POE officers must also confirm the correct information is printed on the issued study permit:

• For post-secondary study permits:
  • Institution Name
  • Level of Study
• For all study permits:
  • Field of Study

Assessing the DLI’s standing

Loss of designated status and being placed on the suspension list are separate and distinct issues:

• Loss of designation is a decision made by the provinces and territories, and means that an institution is no longer designated to host international students. As a result, they cease to be a DLI and IRCC cannot issue any study permits at that institution.
• DLI suspension occurs through a formal process where IRCC finds the post-secondary DLI has been non-compliant with their conditions under R222.1(1). The DLI remains designated but is placed on a public suspension list for a certain period of time. Study permit applications received during the period of suspension will be returned and refunded to the client unless they meet a prescribed circumstance.

In reviewing a study permit application, officers must confirm that the DLI associated to the study permit is:

• designated to host international students, and
• not on the suspension list.

The below sections contain instructions for study permit applications where the associated DLI has either lost it’s designation status or has been placed on a suspension list.

Loss of designation

Provinces and territories are responsible for “designating” institutions that can enrol international students. DLIs may lose their designated status through any of the enumerated grounds of R220.1(2). Provinces and territories inform IRMB’s Student Integrity Management Authority (SIMA) unit of changes or updates to the designation status of learning institutions. The changes are then reflected in GCMS and on the DLI list.

If a learning institution has lost its designated status (temporarily or permanently), the “Organization/Entity” screen will show its status as “Inactive”, along with the effective date the institution lost its designated status in the status change reason field. The notes section will also reveal information regarding this.

Officers must verify the effective date the school lost designated status and compare it to the date the application was received.

Application received after DLI lost designated status

Applicants are required to submit an application to attend a designated learning institution. If the institution was not designated at the time the application was submitted, the study permit application will be refused. If there are other concerns or refusal grounds, officers may include them as part of their refusal rationale. No refund is applicable.

Please see Study permits: Final decisions – Refusals for applicable refusal grounds.

Application received before DLI lost designated status

As the DLI’s loss of designation is new information that was not included in the applicant’s initial submission and the application would otherwise be approved, a procedural fairness letter should be sent to the applicant. The letter should inform the applicant of the following options:

1. provide a provincial/territorial attestation letter (from the jurisdiction where they intend to study) and new letter of acceptance for a new DLI
2. withdraw their application
3. take no action, in which case the application will be assessed using the information provided in the initial application, which will result in a refusal

If the applicant does provide a provincial/territorial attestation letter (from the jurisdiction where they intend to study) and a new letter of acceptance is submitted for a DLI and the applicant meets all other requirements, processing of the application may continue with the new DLI information.

If the applicant chooses to withdraw their application before a final decision is rendered, the application may be withdrawn.

If the applicant does not provide a provincial/territorial attestation letter (from the jurisdiction where they intend to study) and new letter of acceptance and does not withdraw their application, the application will be processed using the initial letter of acceptance for a non-DLI and should therefore be refused. If there are other concerns or refusal grounds, officers may include them as part of their refusal rationale.

Where an application would have been refused on other grounds, regardless of the institution (insufficient proof of funds, criminality, etc.), the officer does not need to send a procedural fairness letter to address the loss of designation. However, notes in GCMS should be clear on this point, and the refusal letter must include the failure to meet paragraph R216(1)(e).

No refund is applicable, whether the application is refused or withdrawn.^{Footnote 1}

DLI suspension

Post-secondary DLIs are required to adhere to the conditions set out in R222.1(1). DLIs may be placed on a suspension list by IRCC, in accordance with R222.6(1), if they are determined to be non-compliant with their conditions. The suspension list is available to the public and specifies:

• the DLI’s name, mailing address, and website
• the condition with which the DLI was non-compliant
• the date the DLI was placed on the suspension list and the time period it is to remain on the list

If a DLI has been placed on the suspension list, the “Organization/Entity” screen will show additional information under the status reason field indicating that the DLI has been placed on the suspension list and the effective period. The notes section will also reveal information regarding the suspension.

Officers must verify the effective date of suspension and compare it to the date the application was received.

Application received during period of DLI suspension

As per R222.6(2) a new application for a study permit that names a DLI and that is received during a period in which that institution is on the suspension list must be returned to the applicant without being processed, along with all documents submitted in support of the application and the fees refunded.

If the application (SP or SP-EXT) is associated to a DLI that is on the suspension list, officers should carefully review the following elements:

1. the effective date and period of suspension
2. the received date of the application
3. in the case of SP-EXTs: if the previous SP was for the same DLI and the same course or program of study

If the application is an extension to complete their course or program of study, officers are to process as per regular procedures.

If the application was received within the period of suspension, and is not an extension to complete their course or program of study, it should be closed and processing fees refunded.

Application received before DLI suspension

Applications (SP or SP-EXT) that are received before the DLI named in the application was placed on the suspension list will be processed as normal and not returned to the client or refused. Should a positive decision be rendered, the applicant will be authorized to study at the DLI even if the institution is still on the suspension list.

Loss of designation or suspension after the issuance of a study permit

If a DLI loses its designated status or is placed on the suspension list after the issuance of the study permit, the student may

• Continue to study at that institution until their study permit becomes invalid; or
• Submit a new application for a study permit at a different DLI [R217.1]

The student may not apply for a study permit renewal to extend their attendance at that institution if the DLI has lost its designation. If the DLI has been suspended, the student may only apply to renew their study permit to complete their course or program of study, as per R222.6(3).