Designated Learning Institution (DLI) Canada 2026: List, Number & PGWP Check
How to verify a Canadian DLI, find the correct DLI number, check your campus and program for PGWP eligibility, and identify public graduate programs that are PAL/TAL-exempt in 2026.
Quick answer: a designated learning institution (DLI) is a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. For post-secondary study, you normally need a letter of acceptance from a DLI before applying for a study permit. In 2026, checking the school name alone is not enough: you should also verify the campus, DLI number, whether your specific program is PGWP-eligible, and whether a PAL/TAL rule or exemption applies to your program.
Why the DLI matters in 2026
Choosing a DLI is now a school, campus and program check rather than a school-name check. Your study permit, PAL/TAL position and post-graduation work options can depend on different parts of IRCC's current DLI information.
How to check a DLI on IRCC's 2026 list
- Find the school and campus. Match the institution, province or territory, city and campus shown on your letter of acceptance to IRCC's official post-secondary DLI list.
- Copy the DLI number exactly. A post-secondary DLI number begins with the letter O. Use the current number when completing the details of intended study in Canada.
- Check PGWP eligibility separately. If working in Canada after graduation matters to your plan, use IRCC's PGWP-eligible DLI view and open the institution details. Not every program offered by a DLI is PGWP-eligible.
- Check PAL/TAL treatment. The current list also identifies public DLIs offering qualifying master's and doctoral degree programs that do not require a PAL/TAL for study permit applications made after January 1, 2026.
Core DLI checks
- You usually need a DLI acceptance to apply for a study permit.
- For many programs, a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) is also required.
- Your DLI, level of study, and (for non-degree programs) field of study can affect PGWP eligibility.
Your DLI number
Every post-secondary DLI on IRCC's official list has a DLI number. IRCC tells you to find the DLI number for the school you want to attend and write it under "Details of intended study in Canada" on your study permit application. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs and are not included in that list (official IRCC DLI list, checked 21 September 2026).
DLI status does not automatically mean PGWP eligibility
IRCC separates the question of whether a school is a DLI from whether a particular program can support PGWP eligibility. A school can appear on the DLI list while some or all of its programs are not PGWP-eligible. Even when IRCC lists a program as eligible, the graduate must still meet the other PGWP requirements, including language and field-of-study requirements where they apply. Check the current PGWP rules before treating a DLI choice as part of a work-after-study plan.
Public graduate programs and the 2026 PAL/TAL exemption
For study permit applications made after January 1, 2026, students attending qualifying master's or doctoral degree programs at public DLIs do not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter. IRCC's DLI list now has a dedicated view for public DLIs offering these PAL/TAL-exempt graduate programs. The exemption is program-specific, so verify the program on the current list rather than assuming every graduate program at a public institution qualifies.
Changing to another DLI after your study permit is issued
Post-secondary students changing schools generally need to apply to extend their study permit for the new DLI and receive approval before they begin studying there, except in limited situations identified by IRCC. A new PAL/TAL is generally required when changing schools unless an exception applies. This is different from the older notification-only approach, so students should check the current change-of-school instructions before transferring.
Choosing wisely
Not every program at every DLI leads to the same post-study options. Before you enrol, it is worth checking how your DLI and program affect your study permit and your longer-term plans. We help you review this in context.
How a licensed RCIC helps
We review your acceptance, DLI, and program against your study permit requirements and your PGWP and PR goals so your choice supports your plan. Final decisions are made by IRCC.
Related pages
- Study Permit Canada (overview)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)
- IRCC: official list of designated learning institutions
- IRCC: PGWP eligibility requirements
- IRCC: changing schools or DLIs
If your longer-term plan is permanent residence, the work you do after graduating on a PGWP is what counts for the Canadian Experience Class, so it is worth choosing your DLI and programme with that in mind. Last reviewed: September 2026.
