In short: to study in Canada you generally need to be accepted at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), and the specific DLI you choose can decide whether you later qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The single most reliable check is to confirm the school appears on IRCC's official DLI list and, if you hope to work after graduating, on the list of PGWP-eligible institutions. Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions an international student makes, because your choice directly affects your study permit eligibility, your ability to work during and after studies, and your potential pathway to permanent residence. Not all schools are equal under Canadian immigration law. This guide explains what a DLI is, how to verify one, the major 2024-2025 PGWP changes (a new language requirement and a field-of-study requirement for non-degree programs), the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement introduced in January 2024 and updated for 2026, and how to spot red flags. It is educational information, not legal advice; an IRCC officer decides each application, and a licensed immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC/CICC member) can advise on your situation.
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. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR s.211.1), international students applying for a study permit must generally be accepted at a DLI. Studying at a school that is not a DLI does not, on its own, support a study permit application. Primary and secondary (K-12) schools are automatically considered DLIs; the list matters most for post-secondary choices.
IRCC maintains the official DLI list on its website. You can search it by province or territory, by institution name, or by city, and find the school's unique DLI number (a code that usually begins with the letter O). Every DLI has its own DLI number, so always confirm that the number on your letter of acceptance matches the official IRCC list before you pay any fees or apply. What this means for you: a genuine acceptance letter from a real DLI will show a DLI number you can look up yourself in minutes.
A study permit also does not, by itself, authorize you to work. Your ability to work on or off campus comes from conditions printed on the permit (or from a separate work permit), and those conditions depend on being a full-time student in good standing at your DLI. Choosing a recognized DLI is therefore the foundation for both your studies and any work you hope to do.
Where to find the DLI list
Search "IRCC designated learning institutions list" on the Government of Canada website (canada.gc.ca) to access the searchable database of all approved schools.
Public vs Private DLIs: Why It Matters
Not all DLIs offer the same immigration pathways. The most important distinction is whether the institution is a public post-secondary institution or a private college.
| Institution Type | PGWP Eligible? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public university | Yes | UBC, University of Toronto, McGill |
| Public college | Yes | Humber College, BCIT, SAIT |
| Private college (on PGWP-eligible list) | Yes (if on list) | Must verify on IRCC's PGWP-eligible institution list |
| Private college (not on PGWP list) | No | Many language schools, private career colleges |
If you plan to use your Canadian education to work in Canada after graduation and potentially apply for permanent residence, you must graduate from a PGWP-eligible institution. Always verify on the IRCC website before accepting an offer.
PGWP Eligibility: Program Length, Language and Field of Study
The length of your PGWP is generally tied to the length of your program. Under IRCC policy the PGWP is usually issued for about the same duration as the program of study, up to a maximum of 3 years, and it is generally not renewable. To be eligible the program must usually be at least 8 months long, and you must have studied full-time (with limited exceptions). Choosing a longer eligible program at a PGWP-eligible school is what unlocks a longer work permit.
- ✓Programs of 8 months to less than 2 years → PGWP generally valid for about the same length as the program
- ✓Programs of 2 years or more → PGWP generally valid for up to 3 years
- ✗Programs shorter than 8 months → generally not eligible for a PGWP
New for 2024-2025: language and field-of-study requirements
IRCC changed the PGWP rules in late 2024, so the school and program you pick now carry extra conditions. These reforms are central to choosing a DLI today.
- ›Language requirement: if you apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must prove English or French ability. University bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates generally need Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) / Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7; graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-university programs generally need CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities.
- ›Field-of-study requirement: if you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024 and graduate from a non-degree program (anything other than a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree), your program must be linked to a field of study tied to long-term labour shortages. Degree graduates (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) are exempt from the field-of-study requirement.
- ›Public-private partnership (PPP) college programs are generally not PGWP-eligible, even though the school may still be a DLI you can study at.
If you are considering a short certificate or a non-degree program at a college, confirm before enrolling that the program length, the institution, your eligible field of study, and your expected language test results will all support a PGWP. The exact eligible fields of study and language details can change, so verify the current rules on canada.ca. A bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a public university is generally the most straightforward path to a 3-year PGWP because degree graduates are exempt from the field-of-study requirement.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Required Since January 2024
Since January 22, 2024, most international students applying for a study permit must include a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) with their application. The PAL is issued by the province or territory where you plan to study and confirms the province has counted you against its share of the national study-permit cap. The requirement was extended through 2024 to many applicants who were previously exempt, including most master's and doctoral students. The scope changed again for 2026, so the rule that applies depends on when and where you apply.
Who needs a PAL/TAL?
Most college and undergraduate study-permit applicants applying from outside Canada need a PAL or TAL from the province or territory of their school. The province typically issues it once you accept an offer and pay any required deposit, so your DLI is usually involved in arranging it.
Who is generally exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement?
- • Primary and secondary (K-12) students
- • Existing study permit holders applying for an extension (and many applicants already in Canada changing conditions)
- • Master's and doctoral students in a degree program at a public DLI, for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 (in 2025 most graduate students still needed a PAL)
- • Certain exchange students who do not pay tuition to the Canadian DLI
- • Students under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) and certain Government of Canada priority or vulnerable groups
PAL/TAL rules and provincial processes change frequently, so always confirm the current requirement and your province's process on canada.ca and the provincial website before applying. Your DLI or provincial authority can advise on how to obtain the PAL. Whether you need a PAL does not change whether the school is a DLI; both still have to be verified separately.
Red Flags: How to Avoid Diploma Mills
Not every school advertising to international students is legitimate. Some institutions exploit immigration aspirations without providing genuine educational value. Watch for these red flags:
⚠ DLI number not on the official IRCC list
Always verify the DLI number on the IRCC website before paying any fees. If the school cannot provide a DLI number or it does not appear on the list, do not proceed.
⚠ Guaranteed admission with no academic requirements
Legitimate post-secondary institutions have admission standards. Schools that accept anyone regardless of qualifications may not provide genuine education.
⚠ Focus on immigration over education in marketing
If the school's primary pitch is immigration pathways rather than the quality of education, that is a warning sign.
⚠ Not on the PGWP-eligible institution list
If you plan to work after graduation, confirm the institution and program appear on IRCC's list of PGWP-eligible institutions.
⚠ No physical campus or accreditation
Verify the school has physical facilities and is recognized by the relevant provincial ministry of education or post-secondary authority.
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Generate Document ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Can I study at any school in Canada as an international student?+
No. You must be accepted to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to apply for a study permit. You can verify whether a school is a DLI using the searchable list on the IRCC website (canada.gc.ca).
Does my DLI choice affect my Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?+
Yes. You must graduate from a PGWP-eligible institution to qualify for the PGWP. Public universities and colleges are generally eligible. Many private colleges are not. Check the IRCC list of PGWP-eligible institutions before enrolling.
What is a PAL and how do I get one?+
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a document issued by a provincial or territorial government confirming they have allocated a study permit spot for you. Required since January 22, 2024 for most undergraduate applicants. Contact your intended school or provincial authority to initiate the PAL process, it is typically arranged by the school on your behalf.
If I transfer schools after arriving, does my study permit still apply?+
You must update your study permit information if you change DLIs. You must always be enrolled at the DLI named on your study permit, or have notified IRCC of the change as required. Failing to do so can put you in non-compliance with your study permit conditions. Check the current change-of-DLI process on canada.ca, as the rules around reporting changes have been tightened.
How do I check whether a school is PGWP-eligible before I enroll?+
Use the official Designated Learning Institutions list on canada.ca, which indicates which DLIs offer programs that can make you eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Even at a PGWP-eligible school, the specific program matters: most public-private partnership (PPP) college programs are generally not PGWP-eligible, and since November 1, 2024 non-degree graduates generally must also meet a field-of-study requirement. Confirm the institution, the program, and your eligibility details on canada.ca before paying any fees.
Did the PGWP rules change for students starting in 2024 or later?+
Yes. For PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, applicants generally must meet a language requirement (commonly CLB/NCLC 7 for university bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates and CLB/NCLC 5 for college and other non-university graduates, in all four abilities). If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024 and graduate from a non-degree program, your field of study generally must be linked to long-term labour shortages; degree graduates are exempt from that field-of-study requirement. Verify the current rules on canada.ca, as eligible fields can change.
Is the Student Direct Stream (SDS) still a faster way to get a study permit?+
No. IRCC ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the related Nigeria Student Express stream on November 8, 2024. All study permit applicants now apply through the regular study permit stream. Be cautious of any agent or school still advertising SDS as a current fast-track option, and confirm processing information on canada.ca.
Does choosing a DLI mean I am guaranteed a study permit?+
No. Acceptance at a DLI is a requirement, but it does not guarantee approval. An IRCC officer assesses each application against all requirements, which generally include proof of funds, ties to your home country, your study plan and, for most applicants, a PAL/TAL. This guide is educational information, not legal advice; for advice on your circumstances, consult a licensed immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (CICC member).
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.