Study Permit DLI Verification Requirement

Summary#

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration issued ministerial instructions changing how study-permit applications made from outside Canada are handled. Starting December 1, 2023, applicants must name a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that must confirm whether the student was accepted, or the application can be returned unprocessed.

What it does#

• Requires a named Designated Learning Institution on every study-permit application made before entry to Canada submitted on or after December 1, 2023.
• If the DLI does not tell the department within 10 calendar days whether the applicant was accepted, officers are instructed to stop processing and return the application.
• For online applications, the DLI must use the Letter of Acceptance Verification Tool to respond.
• The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration can grant one extension of up to 30 days to a DLI that cannot respond because of events like power failures, natural disasters, public health emergencies, or labour disputes.
• If an application is returned under these rules, the fee paid under section 300 of the regulations will be refunded.

Who's affected#

• People applying from outside Canada for a study permit (international students) for applications submitted on or after December 1, 2023.
• Staff at Designated Learning Institutions who must confirm acceptances and use the verification tool.
• Immigration officers who will return applications that lack the required DLI response.
• It is unclear from the notice if any specific categories of applicants are exempt.

Why it matters#

• For applicants: your application can be returned (and you will get a refund) if the listed school doesn’t confirm acceptance quickly. That can delay plans to study in Canada.
• For schools: DLIs must respond promptly and use the government verification tool, adding a new administrative step.
• For the public: the change aims to speed up processing and reduce fraud by ensuring schools directly confirm acceptances before applications are processed.