Canada’s Designated Learning Institutes are meant to admit international students. Also, in order to acquire a Canadian study permit, you will need to present a letter of acceptance from a Canadian DLI. In case you plan to reside in the country after completing your studies, you might also apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Notably, only specific DLIs in Canada will provide you with the eligibility to obtain a PGWP. Hence, it will become all the more essential to select the right program and appropriate institution.
Furthermore, applicants might as well need to provide the Designated Learning Institution number to obtain their preferred school. Essentially, the study permit application comprises the DLI number starting with the letter “O”.
Canada’s Designated Learning Institute’s exemptions
Students also get a chance to remain exempt from having to submit the DLI’s acceptance letter and from submitting the DLI number along with their application. However, this only applies to specific cases.
Let’s take a look at the special cases in which the DLI exemption will become applicable (but not restricted to these cases). They’re as follows:
- Students studying at a primary or secondary institution doesn’t require to submit a DLI number because they hold a designation by default.
- A family member related to a foreign national with the written approval of their study or work permit application. However, this situation must occur before a foreign national enters the country. Additionally, in such a scenario, the family member might acquire an Open Study Permit.
- Also, few Quebec institutions usually hold a designation by the provincial government but don’t possess a unique Designated Learning Institution number.
Canadian Designated Learning Institute- lost status
Many a time, institutions might lose their designated status. Consequently, an international student might face repercussions depending on the time of the lost status.
Take a deeper look at the following conditions related to the lost status of a DLI:
- In case of a student submits a study permit application along with a letter of acceptance from a non-DLI institution, the application might face a direct rejection.
- Now, in an instance, where the applicant submits a study permit application with the acceptance letter from a Canadian DLI, the institution loses its status before the issuance of the study permit.
Eventually, the student will have the following three alternatives:
- Applicant must proceed with application withdrawal.
- Proceed with a different DLI and submit an acceptance letter from there.
- The candidate might as well not take any action and wait for the processing of the application based on the given information. Expectedly, the application will face rejection.
In case an individual successfully obtains a Canadian DLI study permit, the institution loses its status after the issuance of the permit. Furthermore, he will have the following two options:
- He will shift to another Canadian Designated Learning Institution;
- Go ahead with their studies at the non-DLI until the expiry of the study permit. Moreover, in such circumstances, renewal of a study permit might also become impossible.
Conclusion
In the majority of situations, aspiring international students who want to pursue their studies at Canada’s post-secondary institution must submit a letter of acceptance received by a Canadian DLI. They must do this if they apply for a PGWP or Canadian study permit.



