A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, on the school's letterhead, naming the programme, its start and end dates, the tuition owed, and the registration deadline.
What IRCC Officers Look For
IRCC always requires a letter of acceptance, and it must come from a designated learning institution (DLI). It should show the exact tuition you must pay, the expected start and end dates of the programme, and the date by which you must register. A good letter also names the DLI number, the programme and its level, and any conditions.
Post-secondary schools are asked to validate the letter. If the school does not answer by the deadline, IRCC returns the application and refunds the fee. Upload the letter only in the space provided for it: anything else attached there is disclosed to the school.
Officers doubt a letter when the offer is conditional (for example, on completing a language course first) or when the start date has already passed.
Evidence Strength
Strong Evidence
Letter on the DLI's letterhead naming you, the school, and its DLI number
Programme name, level, and start and end dates stated clearly
First-year tuition and the registration deadline shown
Same school, programme, and dates as your PAL/TAL, tuition receipt, and study plan
Weak Evidence
A conditional offer where the conditions are still to be met
A start date that has already passed
A programme or school that differs from what the rest of your application says
Extra documents uploaded in the letter-of-acceptance space, which are disclosed to the school
Common Refusal / Processing Triggers
Common Problems
A conditional offer, such as one that depends on completing a language course first.
A start date that has already passed by the time the application is reviewed.
The school does not validate the letter by the deadline, so IRCC returns the application and refunds the fee.
School, programme, dates, or tuition that disagree with the PAL/TAL, tuition receipt, or study plan.
Tips for Strengthening Your Evidence
Pro Tips
Check that the letter shows tuition, start and end dates, and the registration deadline before you upload it.
Make sure the school is a designated learning institution and that the DLI number appears on the letter.
Use the letter of acceptance's upload space for that document only.
Keep school, programme, dates, and amounts identical across every document in the file.
Relevant Document Types
Typical uploads: letter of acceptance or offer of admission showing the DLI number, programme, level, start and end dates, first-year tuition, and any conditions.