Check school recognition, DLI status and student aid
Does school recognition or DLI status guarantee student aid or a post-graduation work permit?
Institution recognition, international-student designation and student-aid eligibility are separate checks. One listing does not establish all three.
Where to begin
- Use CICIC to check the institution’s recognized or authorized status.
- For international post-secondary study, check the institution and campus on IRCC’s DLI list and the separate work-permit criteria.
- For student loans or grants, check the designated-school list and your student-aid authority’s program rules.
Before you open the official service
- Exact institution, campus and program, plus the purpose of your check.
Keep your actual documents and account details off this website. Use the official service’s current checklist before applying.
What to check for your situation
Not every program at a DLI qualifies for a post-graduation work permit. A school listing does not guarantee admission, funding, a study permit or a work permit.
Fees, processing times and document rules can change. This page helps you navigate; it does not confirm eligibility or replace the government’s instructions.
Official sources
cicic.ca · Official websiteCICIC — Recognized educational institutionsCICIC publishes a directory of institutions recognized, authorized, registered or licensed by the competent provincial or territorial authorities. CICIC does not itself recognize institutions. The directory includes universities, colleges and other types of institutions. Recognition of an institution is not a guarantee that another organization will accept a particular credential. CICIC is a unit of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), not a federal institution directory.Checked canada.ca · Official websiteIRCC — Designated learning institutionsA designated learning institution (DLI) is approved by a province or territory to host international students. Verify the institution and campus on the IRCC list for post-secondary study. Not all programs at a DLI qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP); the student must also meet the applicable eligibility requirements.Checked
Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.