Letter of Acceptance to a Canadian Designated Learning Institution

The first step in applying for a Canadian study visa is to get a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

In order to apply for a study permit in Canada, you must submit a Letter of Acceptance.
A potential student must first apply to a Designated Learning Institution to receive a Letter of Acceptance (DLI). The institution may provide a Letter of Acceptance if he or she is successful. All of the following parts are necessary in the Letter of Acceptance for the purposes of a study permit application:

• The student’s full name, date of birth, and mailing address;
• The student’s ID number, if applicable;
• The name of the institution, and the name of the official contact person;
• The contact information of the institution;
• If the DLI is a private institution, the licensing information for the institution should be clearly stated (usually in the institution’s letterhead);
• The DLI number;
• The type of school or institution (e.g. private, public, post-secondary college, community college, or technical college — this list is not exhaustive);
• The study program, level, and year of study into which the student is accepted;
• The estimated duration of the study program, or estimated date of completion of the study program;
• The start date of the study program;
• The latest date by which a student may register for the study program;
• Whether the study program is full-time or part-time;
• The estimated tuition fees for the first year of study, and scholarships or other financial aid (if applicable);
• The details of a required internship or work placement, if applicable;
• The expiry date of the Letter of Acceptance*;
• Conditions of acceptance to the DLI (if applicable) — this may include prerequisite courses, previous qualifications, or proof of language knowledge;

The Letter of Acceptance must have an expiration date.
If the study permit application is not processed before the Letter of Acceptance expires, an extension letter from the university may be sought and sent to IRCC to support the study visa application.

Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC) provides a Letter of Acceptance template as well as instructions on how to fill out the essential information.

It’s vital to remember that a DLI’s Letter of Acceptance isn’t a guarantee that your study visa application will be accepted. Approval of a study application is at the discretion of IRCC.