Four private colleges in Quebec lost their ability to enrol international students last week after the federal government suspended their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) status. Without DLI status, a school cannot accept new study permit holders. Existing students at these colleges now face real uncertainty about their status and their next steps.
The four colleges affected are: Collège supérieur de Montréal, Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke, Collège Herzing, and Collège de technologie Véritas. All four are private institutions operating in Quebec. A suspension is not a permanent revocation, but it does mean no new international students can enrol while the suspension is in effect.
If you are currently studying at one of these schools, or if you were planning to apply, this change directly affects your study permit. Keep reading to understand exactly what happened and what your options are.
The Four Colleges That Lost DLI Status
The suspension covers all four colleges named in the government's action. Here is what you need to know about each one and where they are located.
| College | City | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Collège supérieur de Montréal | Montreal, QC | DLI suspended |
| Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke | Sherbrooke, QC | DLI suspended |
| Collège Herzing | Quebec | DLI suspended |
| Collège de technologie Véritas | Quebec | DLI suspended |
A DLI suspension means IRCC has paused the school's authorization to host international students. The school may still operate and serve domestic students, but it cannot receive new international enrolments or issue the acceptance letters that international students need for a study permit application. The suspension is distinct from a full removal from the DLI list, which is a permanent measure. A suspension can be lifted if the institution addresses the concerns that triggered the government's action.
What triggered the suspensions has not been specified in the available information. IRCC does conduct compliance reviews of designated learning institutions. Those reviews look at whether schools are meeting enrolment reporting requirements, whether they have adequate student support services, and whether they are operating in a way that protects international students. Any institution that fails those standards can face suspension.
What This Means If You Are Currently Enrolled
Consider a student from Nigeria who moved to Sherbrooke specifically to attend Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke. She paid her first semester's tuition, signed a lease, and applied for an off-campus work permit tied to her study permit. Now the school's DLI status is suspended. She cannot automatically transfer her study permit to another school without going through a formal process, and she needs to act quickly to avoid falling out of status.
If you are already enrolled at one of these four colleges and you hold a valid study permit, your current permit does not automatically become invalid just because the school's DLI status was suspended. Your permit was issued based on the school's status at the time of approval. However, you should contact IRCC immediately to understand your options. You may need to transfer to another DLI to maintain your student status and keep your eligibility for off-campus work authorization.
Transferring to a new school is possible, but it requires a new acceptance letter from a currently designated institution. You would then need to update your study permit to reflect the new school. You can check which schools are currently designated on the IRCC website or contact the IRCC Help Centre for guidance specific to your file.
Do not wait to see how the situation develops. Study permit conditions require you to be enrolled at a DLI. If your school loses that designation and you remain enrolled without transferring, you risk violating the conditions of your permit. That can affect future applications, including applications for a post-graduation work permit or permanent residence.
What This Means If You Applied but Have Not Started Yet
If you received an acceptance letter from one of these four colleges and used it to apply for a study permit, your application is in a difficult position. IRCC will not approve a study permit for a school that does not currently hold DLI status. If your application is still in processing, it may be refused or paused.
If your permit was already approved but you have not yet travelled to Canada to start your studies, you should contact IRCC before making any travel arrangements. Arriving and attempting to enrol at a suspended institution could create complications at the port of entry and with your permit conditions.
The practical step is to identify a comparable program at a currently designated school, obtain a new acceptance letter, and update or resubmit your study permit application. This adds time and cost, which is a real burden for students who already paid tuition deposits or made travel plans. Some schools accept direct transfers and can issue a new acceptance letter quickly if you already have academic credentials ready.
Do not submit a study permit application using an acceptance letter from a suspended DLI. The application will not be approved. Get a new letter from a currently designated school before you apply.
How to Check If a School Is Still a Designated Learning Institution
IRCC maintains a public list of all designated learning institutions across Canada. You can search by province, city, or school name. Before you accept any offer of admission from a private college, check this list. Private colleges, in particular, are subject to more frequent compliance reviews than public universities or colleges. Their DLI status can change faster.
To verify DLI status, go to the IRCC website and search for the designated learning institution list. Confirm the school appears on the active list before you pay any fees or sign any agreements. This single check can save you from a very costly mistake.
Quebec private colleges operate in a unique environment. The province has its own immigration and education requirements that interact with federal rules. Always verify both federal DLI status and any provincial authorization requirements before committing to a program at a Quebec private institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources: Government of Canada ( canada.ca), IRCC Help Centre. Last verified: July 20, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.
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