List of DLI Colleges in Canada 2025

Check out the list of DLI colleges in Canada for international students. The Designated Learning Institutions in Canada are approved by the Government of Canada for offering admission to international students. Students who receive an acceptance letter from a DLI are eligible to apply for a student visa under the Student Direct Stream program.

There is a long list of DLI-approved colleges in Canada. Designated Learning Institutions are academic institutions in Canada that have been approved by a provincial or territorial government to offer admission to international students for post-secondary education. Every year lakhs of international students reach Canada for higher studies as Canada is one of the most popular study destinations.

India is one of the top 10 countries sending the most number of international students to study in Canada. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), only a limited number of students will get their Canada student visa approved this time. If you are the one who is planning for higher studies in Canadian universities then you should know about the list of DLI colleges in Canada. In this article, we will give a province-wise list of DLI in Canada. 

What is DLI Canada?

A designated learning institution is a college/university authorized by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Students who are going to pursue undergraduate or master’s courses need to get a Canada study visa. In order to get a Study Permit, candidates need to get an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution. Every designated learning institute (DLI) in Canada is allotted a DLI number. Whereas, Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a program under which a fast student permit is given to students from selected countries who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary institution.

Below, we will give a province-wise list of designated learning institutes (DLI) in Canada. Candidates applying under the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program need to get an acceptance letter from a designated learning institute in order to get a Study Permit.

Update: The Government of Canada announced the end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS program) on 09 November 2024. This fast-track visa program was introduced in 2018 to make Canada student visa process smoother and quicker. The sudden policy change will impact future students planning to study in Canada.

Why Study at DLI Colleges in Canada?

As mentioned above, only a designated learning institution (DLI) can host international students in Canada. The following points provide important reasons to study at a DLI-approved college in Canada:

• High Academic Standards: In the world of higher education, DLI-approved Colleges in Canada are renowned for their high standards of academic performance. Additionally, tuition costs are comparatively lower in Canada when compared to nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, which attract international students.
• Canada Student Visa: International students who wish to study in Canada need a Canada student visa to do so. In order to be eligible for a Canada study visa, it is essential that a student’s institution is an accepted DLI college in Canada.
• Part-Time Work: In order to be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, a student must be a student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
• Post-Study Work Permit: The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) of Canada is available only for those international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Having worked in Canada, students may apply for Canada PR as well.

List of DLI Colleges in Canada

Let us look at the list of DLI Colleges in Canada for some of the top provinces of Canada:

List of DLI Colleges in British Columbia

Candidates who are planning to pursue their higher studies in British Columbia can check the DLI number of their institute. Every year, thousands of international students come to study in colleges and universities located in British Columbia. Schools in British Columbia are ranked among the top-ranked institutes in Canada. Many institutes located here are ranked among the top educational institutes in the world. There are 275 SDS Designated Learning Institutes in British Columbia. British Columbia is the only provincial government that endorses a certain number of schools under an ‘Education Quality Assessment’. The Education Quality Assessment is helpful for international students who wish to study here as they may not have visited their school before, and it offers them some consumer protection.

Related Blogs: List of SDS colleges in British Columbia

List of DLI Colleges in Alberta

Candidates who are planning to study undergraduate or postgraduate courses in Alberta can check the DLI number of their school here. Alberta is one of the most populous provinces of Canada. Apart from this, Alberta is popular among international students as it provides excellent career opportunities to graduates. With its excellent post-graduation employment and immigration opportunities, it is one of the most sought-after locations among international students. The colleges and universities in Alberta are known for their post-secondary courses. There are 156 SDS Designated Learning Institutions in Alberta. 

Related Blog: List of SDS colleges in Alberta

List of DLI Colleges in Quebec

Those who are planning to pursue higher studies in Quebec province can check the list of SDS colleges along with their DLI number here. Montreal, a city with one of the highest per capita student population ratios is located in Quebec. Degree and Diploma programs offered in Quebec are recognised globally. Apart from English, students can also pursue their education in French in Quebec. Also, the cost of living in Quebec is also one of the lowest in Canada, so, it’s a perfect study destination for international students. If you have been issued a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) to attend a post-secondary institution in Quebec, your institution is designated. There are 438 SDS Designated Learning Institutions in Quebec. There are 438 SDS Designated Learning Institutions in Quebec. 

Related Blogs: List of SDS colleges in Quebec

Latest Updated on DLIs in Quebec:.

• If you are already studying in a program that will not be eligible for PGWP Canada after 1st September 2023, the program duration might be counted towards PGWP calculation.
• If you start an academic program after 1st September 2023, you will be eligible for PGWP Canada only if that program is a subsidized program, which is eligible for PGWP.

DLI in Ontario

Ontario hosts the maximum number of international students in Canada. The largest city in Canada, Toronto is in Ontario, so it offers plenty of job opportunities to young graduates. A recent report also suggests that in the last ten years, graduates from universities in Ontario earn significantly higher than in any other province. Also, their employment rate (92%) is the highest in Canada. Students who are planning to pursue higher studies in Canada and whose college falls in Ontario province can check the DLI number of their college below. Ontario has the largest number of SDS Designated Learning Institutes in Canada. There are 526 SDS Designated Learning Institutions in Ontario.

Check out the complete list of colleges and universities located in Ontario along with their DLI number here

Learn more about the SDS program: FAQs for SDS Canada

DLIs are crucial to Canada's educational system and give overseas students a way to study there. International students may only attend educational institutions that have been authorised and designated by the province or territory in which they are located. Hence, it is vital that students check whether the institution they have applied to, is a DLI or not. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.