Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)

Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) are schools approved by the Canadian government to accept students from other countries.

To receive a study visa in Canada, one must have a letter of approval from a DLI.

All the primary and secondary schools in Canada are Designated Learning Institutions also. Some post-secondary schools like colleges, Universities, and vocational schools are also accredited as DLIs. 

So, make sure your school and the program you want to enroll in our on the Canadian DLIs for easy access and for it to go through if you ever want to come to Canada to study.

How to Become an International Student?

To study in Canada as an international student;

You must first be admitted into a Canadian school or an approved learning facility in the province.

Once you have gotten a letter of acceptance, you can apply for a study permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

After receiving a letter of admission, you can apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for a study permit.

This acceptance into the Canadian institution serves as the foundation for any study visa that may be granted if you are a student at a post-secondary institution. 

Designated Learning Institution Number

A unique Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) number is given to any post-secondary school admitting international students.

This number appears on the application for a study permit that has been provided to the students. This is the number that starts with the letter “O.” 

Importance of DLI at Primary and Secondary Schools Levels

If somebody is immigrating to Canada on a work or study permit and has any young children, they will be able to enroll them in their respective schools. 

There won’t be a requirement to submit a separate study permit application. They will acquire high school diploma certificates when they complete secondary education.

Will This Affect My Changing of Programs

If an international student changes the course, he currently attends the same DLI-approved institutions. 

They won’t have to update their study permit or contact the IRCC to make the necessary modifications.

Can This Affect My Changing of Schools?

Assuming an international student decides to transfer to another university offering courses at the same level.

They won’t be required to get new study permission from the agency, but they will need to get in touch with the proper organization, the IRCC, and let them know about the switch to the new universities.

Additionally, the student needs to confirm that the new school they are enrolling in is a designated learning institution (DLI), as institutions that are not DLIs are not permitted to accept overseas students for any type of study.

List of Designated Learning Institutions 

There are over 1500 DLIs in Canada, most of which are in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

DLI by Province in Canada
Province	Number of DLIs
Alberta	155
British Columbia	265
Manitoba	41
New Brunswick	39
Newfoundland & Labrador	31
Northwest Territories	3
Nova Scotia	40
Nunavut	0
Ontario	504
Quebec	437
Prince Edward Island	20
Saskatchewan	32
Yukon	13

List of DLI Colleges

COLLEGES	DLI NUMBER
A1-Global College of Health, Business, and Technology	O19394699296
AAA Aviation Flight Academy	O110735702489
ABCE Language School Inc	O19394345235
ABM College of Business and Technology	O242632228347
Absolute Aviation	O134231224842
Academie de beaute Gordon-Robertson	O246872714018
Academie de Dessin de Mode Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design	O119063232417
Academie de l entrepreneurship Quebecois inc.	O19338214982
Academie des pompiers	O246874709166
Academie du Savoir	O123445819232
Academy Canada	O19441333188
Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Inc.	O19376386952
Academy of Cosmetology	O214965234137
Academy of Excellence Hair Design & Aesthetics Ltd.	O123960086627
Academy of Fashion Design	O110820050587
Academy of Learning	O19359144722
Academy of Learning – PEI	O19220171562
Academy of Learning Calgary	O19273743562
Academy of Learning Career and Business College, Etobicoke, Ontario	O112937383987
Academy of Learning Career and Business College, Belleville, Ontario	O132633122837
Academy of Learning Career and Business College, Scarborough, Ontario	O19516732252
Academy of Learning Career and Business College, Toronto, Ontario	O19859544417
Academy of Learning College, Ottawa, Ontario	O128609354927
Academy of Learning College, Hamilton, Ontario	O19305245022
Academy of Learning College – Abbotsford	O212477056057
Academy of Learning College – Halifax	O111596476281
Academy of Learning College – Kingston	O19303790322
Academy of Learning College – Langley	O212477063807
Academy of Learning College – Richmond	O110096211204
Academy of Learning College – Saskatoon	O212421004567
Academy of Learning College – Surrey	O19361063652
Academy of Learning College – Vancouver	O19376530942
Academy of Learning College – Victoria	O19395300024
Academy of Learning College – Williams Lake	O19376505602
Academy of Learning Edmonton	O19273755422
Academy of Learning Edmonton South	O19273765312
Academy of Learning Medicine Hat	O19273743562
Academy of Learning Red Deer	O19273743562
Acadia University	O19391556792
Acadia University: English Language Centre	O19391556981
Access Business College	O242732890457
ACE Acumen Academy	O242529990457
Acsenda School of Management	O19278931852
Adler Graduate Professional School	O19376414752
Adler University	O19394452198
Advantage English School E/J	O112543961007

See the complete list of DLI colleges in Canada

Conclusion

Designated Learning Institutions concentrate more on primary and secondary schools, making it easier for children who migrated to the country. 

However, If you are interested in post-secondary school programs like; Colleges and Universities, you must apply for your Canada study visa once you are sure of the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) where you plan to enroll for your academic program.

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