(DLI) List in Canada: What International Students Need to Know in 2026

Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) List in Canada: What International Students Need to Know in 2026

Planning to study in Canada? 🇨🇦 One of the first and most important things you need to check is whether your chosen school is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Choosing a school simply because it offers an attractive program or affordable tuition is not enough.
Your institution’s DLI status and your specific program can affect your study permit application and, in some cases, your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

What is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?

A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

If you are applying for a Canadian study permit to attend a post-secondary institution, you generally need a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI. The institution’s DLI number is also used in your study permit application.

The Government of Canada maintains an official list of designated institutions across Canada. Students should always verify their institution directly through the

official Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) list
.

Why is the DLI List Important?

Before accepting an offer from a Canadian college or university, international students should verify:

Whether the institution is on the official DLI list
The institution’s correct DLI number
Whether the specific program is PGWP eligible
Whether additional requirements apply to the program
Whether the institution and program support your long-term academic and career goals

A school being listed as a DLI does not automatically mean every program at that school is eligible for a PGWP.
Students should review the official information carefully before making their decision.

How to Check the DLI List in Canada

Step 1: Visit the Official DLI List

Start by visiting the

official IRCC Designated Learning Institution list
.

Step 2: Select Your Province or Territory

You can search for institutions located in provinces and territories such as:

British Columbia
Ontario
Alberta
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Quebec
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Nunavut

Step 3: Search for Your Institution

The official DLI list allows you to search for institutions using information such as:

School name
City
Province or territory

Step 4: Check the DLI Number

Each designated institution has its own DLI number. Make sure you use the correct number when completing your Canadian study permit application.

You can find the institution’s DLI number directly through the

Government of Canada DLI search tool
.

DLI Status Does Not Always Mean PGWP Eligibility

This is one of the most important things international students need to understand.

There are two different questions:

1. Is my school a Designated Learning Institution?

2. Is my specific program eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

These are not always the same thing.

A school may be a DLI and accept international students, but students must still ensure that they meet the requirements for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Before enrolling, review the

official PGWP eligibility requirements

published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Understanding PGWP Eligibility

PGWP eligibility depends on several factors, including the institution, program and the individual student’s circumstances.

Depending on the type of program you completed, you may need to meet requirements related to:

Program length
Type of institution
Type of credential
Language proficiency requirements
Field of study requirements, where applicable

Students should review the latest

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements

before choosing a program.

What is a CIP Code and Why Does it Matter?

Some students may need to consider their program’s
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

A CIP code is used to classify post-secondary education programs according to their field of study.
Depending on the student’s program and circumstances, field-of-study requirements may apply to PGWP eligibility.

Students can review the

official PGWP field of study and CIP code requirements

to understand whether their program may be affected.

What About Private Colleges and Universities?

Canada has both:

Public institutions
Private institutions

Both types of institutions may appear on the official DLI list.

However, students should not assume that simply attending a private institution automatically guarantees PGWP eligibility.

Before paying tuition or accepting an offer, verify:

The school’s DLI status
Your exact program
PGWP eligibility
Current language requirements
Field-of-study requirements, where applicable
Other study permit and immigration requirements

The safest approach is to review both the

official DLI list

and the

official PGWP eligibility information
.

Example: University Canada West

University Canada West (UCW), located in Vancouver, British Columbia, appears on Canada’s official Designated Learning Institution list.

Institution: University Canada West
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
DLI Number: O19377235822
Institution Type: Private institution

Students can verify the institution through the

official Government of Canada DLI list
.

However, students should always review information related to their
specific program and confirm the latest PGWP requirements before making decisions based on future work permit eligibility.

Important Information for Graduate Students in 2026

Students applying for graduate programs should also review the latest rules regarding
Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) and
Territorial Attestation Letters (TALs).

As of January 1, 2026, certain master’s and doctoral students enrolled in eligible programs at public DLIs may be exempt from submitting a PAL or TAL with their study permit application.

Students should review the

official information for graduate students applying for a Canadian study permit

and verify the latest requirements before applying.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

Choosing a School Without Checking DLI Status

Always verify the institution using the

official Government of Canada DLI list
.

Assuming Every Program is PGWP Eligible

DLI status and PGWP eligibility are different. Always review the

current PGWP eligibility requirements

before enrolling.

Paying Tuition Before Researching Immigration Requirements

Understand your program, institution and potential immigration implications before making a major financial commitment.

Using Outdated Information

Canadian immigration policies can change. Always rely on current information from

official Government of Canada and IRCC sources
.

Looking Only at Rankings or Tuition Fees

Your decision should also consider:

Program suitability
Career goals
Location
Study permit requirements
PGWP eligibility
Program length
Financial planning

Before You Apply: Quick DLI Checklist

Is the school on the official DLI list?
Do I have the correct DLI number?
Is my specific program suitable for my academic and career goals?
Have I reviewed the current PGWP eligibility requirements?
Do any field-of-study requirements apply to my program?
Do I understand the study permit requirements?
Have I checked the latest IRCC rules?

Taking the time to research these questions before applying can help students make a more informed decision.

Final Thoughts

Choosing where to study in Canada is about more than receiving an admission letter.

Your school, program and future plans should all be considered carefully. Being accepted by a DLI is an important first step, but students should also understand the difference between
DLI status, study permit eligibility and PGWP eligibility.

Every student’s situation is different, and immigration requirements can change. Always review the latest information available through the

Government of Canada’s official study in Canada resources

before submitting an application.

Need Help Understanding Your Study Options in Canada? 🇨🇦

At Dhunna Immigration Consulting Inc., we help clients understand their options and navigate the Canadian immigration process based on their individual circumstances.

📞 +1 778-957-5656
📧 info@dhunnaimmigration.ca
📱 Instagram: @dhunnaimmigration_nisha

Every case is different. No outcome can be guaranteed.

Official References

SEO Keywords

Designated Learning Institution Canada, DLI list Canada 2026,
Canada study permit, DLI number Canada, PGWP eligible schools Canada,
Canadian colleges for international students, Canada universities for international students,
study in Canada 2026, IRCC DLI list, PGWP eligibility Canada,
Canadian university for international students.