Every post-secondary school that admits international students has a unique DLI number. The DLI number can be found on the study permit application form. It is the number that begins with the letter “O”.

If you want to come to Canada as an international student, first ensure that your school is on the list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Click here the List of Canadian designated learning institutions.

Schools with several campuses or smaller colleges may have a different DLI number for each location.

If a school is not designated by its provincial or territorial authority as a DLI, then it is not eligible to host international students.

If you submit a study permit application for a non-DLI school, it will be refused. If the school you are studying at loses its DLI status, you can remain at the school until your study permit expires. Otherwise, you may or transfer to an alternative DLI.

In Canada, all primary and secondary schools are DLIs.

In most provinces, these schools offer education from Grade One to Grade Twelve. When a student graduates from secondary school they receive their high school diploma.

Dependent minor children do not need a study permit. If you have minor children and are coming to Canada on a work or study permit, they will be eligible to attend school. There is no need to apply for a separate study permit.

If a foreign national is studying in Canada on a valid study permit, they are permitted to change their level of study, institution of study, and/or program of study. However, depending on the intended change, they may have to notify the appropriate immigration authority, apply for a new study permit or get a study permit extension.

Need to extend your study permit? Read more about how to do that here: Extend my Study Permit

If an international student chooses to change programs within the same designated learning institution (DLI), there is no requirement to change their study permit or contact IRCC to update them of the changes. There are, however, a few exceptions to this:

If the foreign national’s study permit has certain conditions listed on it and if these conditions will be affected by the change in programs, then they must contact IRCC to update them with the changes.
If the foreign national switches to a program of longer duration than the validity of their study permit, then they will have to apply to extend their study permit before the original expiration date.

If an international student chooses to transfer institutions within the same level of study, then they are not required to obtain a new study permit, but they are required to contact IRCC and notify them of the change in institutions. The student must ensure that the new institution is a designated learning institution (DLI), since non-DLI schools are not eligible to host international students.

If a foreign national wishes to transfer from an institution outside of the province of Quebec to an institution inside the province of Quebec, they will have to obtain a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) before they can transfer. This is because the province of Quebec has unique requirements for international students.

Depending on the level of study for a foreign national, it may be necessary to obtain a new study permit or to inform IRCC of changes. Below are the common changes between levels of study:

• Changing from primary education to secondary education: It is not necessary to obtain a new study permit. If, in making this change, the student is transferring from one institution to another, they should contact IRCC to update their institution of study.

• • Note: If a minor child is accompanying a parent or guardian who possesses a valid work or study permit, then the child does not require a study permit at the primary and secondary school levels.

• Changing from secondary education to post-secondary education: It is necessary to obtain a new study permit from IRCC when switching from a secondary to post-secondary level of education.
• Changing from one post-secondary level to another post-secondary level: It is not necessary to obtain a new study permit if switching between different post-secondary levels of education (for example, from a Bachelor’s Degree to a Master’s Degree). However, if the student is changing schools, or if the change in programs will affect the duration of study and/or the conditions listed on the permit, then the student should take the appropriate action as indicated above.

The province of Quebec reserves more control over authorization of international students than Canada’s other provinces and territories. For this reason, there is an extra step involved with obtaining a study permit for an institution in Quebec. Before applying for a study permit, first a foreign national must obtain a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ). Only after the student has obtained a CAQ can they submit their study permit application.

This CAQ requirement will affect international students wishing to transfer from an institution located outside of Quebec to an institution located inside Quebec. In order to make such a transfer, the student would first have to obtain a CAQ from the Quebec government. Once they have a CAQ, there is usually no need to apply for a new study permit. However the student should update IRCC with their new information.

As long as you are still meeting the conditions of your study permit, you can change your DLI.

To do this, you will need:

• An online account. If you submitted your study permit application by mail, you will need to create an online account and link your application.

• Your study permit number. You can find this at the top right of the study permit. It begins with the letter ‘S’. 

• Your new school’s DLI number. If you’re not sure, you can find it on this list of Canadian DLI numbers.

• Your new student ID number. You can find this on the acceptance letter from your new school
• Your start date at your new school.

Now that you have all the necessary documents, you’re ready to begin the process. Follow these steps to change your DLI:

Step 1: Sign in to your account

Step 2: Find the section Designated Learning Institution Student Transfer and click Transfer from DLI number. 

Step 3: Enter your study permit application number and click Search for my application.

Step 4: Enter more details about your original study permit application. 

Step 5: Enter your new DLI number, your new Student ID number, and your start date at your new school. Click Submit transfer.

Step 6: Review the details of your transfer. If all the information is correct, click Confirm Transfer.

Step 7: You should receive a notification that your transfer is complete. This confirms that you have notified the Canadian government of your intention to change DLIs. 

The HGC Team is here to help you at any stage of your Canadian study process.

HGC’s educational counsellors can help you to find the right program, to secure a letter of acceptance, and submit your application for a study permit. With our guidance you will have the best possible chance of success!