Apply for status as a Designated Learning Institution
Find information and forms to apply for, or renew, a postsecondary institution's status as a Designated Learning Institution under the International Student Program.
Overview
Only postsecondary institutions meeting the requirements under the International Student Program can apply for status as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
If the institution meets the ISP requirements, they can use the appropriate application form to apply for:
- first-time designation
- re-designation
Before making an application
Read the International Student Program (ISP) requirements that all postsecondary institutions in Ontario must meet when applying for a status as a Designated Learning Institution under the International Student Program.
Application categories
For the purpose of choosing the appropriate application form and resources, postsecondary institutions are described as one of the following:
- registered career colleges
(operators of career colleges that solely offer programs approved under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005) - other private postsecondary institutions
(institutions intending to enrol international students in programs of study longer than 6 months that do not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005) - public postsecondary institutions
(publicly-assisted colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes)
Application forms
Registered career colleges
Complete this streamlined application only if you are an operator of a registered career college and you intend to only enrol international students in programs of study longer than 6 months that have been approved under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
Streamlined ISP application form for designation or re-designation of career colleges
Other private postsecondary institutions
Complete this application if you are a private postsecondary institution intending to enrol international students in programs of study longer than 6 months not requiring approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
This form is also for operators of registered career colleges that intend to enrol international students in programs of study longer than 6 months that do not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, for example, language training, degree programs, etc.
ISP application for designation or re-designation of private postsecondary institutions
Application resources
Pre-screening checklist for institutions seeking exemption under section 6.2 of the ISP Requirements
Use the pre-screening checklist as a self-assessment to help determine if the private postsecondary institution has sufficient operational and financial history to apply for ISP designation if it does not meet section 6.1 of the ISP Requirements.
Find the self-assessment criteria and steps to follow in the pre-screening checklist.
Note:
Completing this pre-screening checklist to determine your institution’s eligibility to apply for status as a designated learning institution does neither indicate nor guarantee that your institution will receive the ISP designation.
The final determination of your institution’s eligibility for designation under the ISP will be made following the ministry’s thorough review of your application and supporting documents, including a rigorous assessment of the institution’s financial viability and risk.
The ministry highly recommends that your institution carefully considers the financial (for example, costs) and business (for example, operational) capacity of pursuing designation under Section 6.2 when it may result in a decision of ineligibility after review.
Public postsecondary institutions
Application forms are available upon request for the following publicly assisted postsecondary institutions:
- universities
- colleges of applied arts and technology
- Indigenous Institutes
If you require an application form or have any questions about the ISP requirements and the general process, contact ISP@ontario.ca.