Here are the Post-Secondary Schools in Ontario with the Most PALS

Ontario has had the highest number of PALs in Canada every year since they were first introduced in early 2024.  Once a province receives its allocation from IRCC, it’s up to the province to decide how many PALs each university or college will get. 

Key Takeaways 

• Conestoga College has the most PALs of any college or university in Ontario 
• Colleges received more PALs than universities in the province 
• Ontario has a PAL allocation of 107,780 but IRCC only expects to approve 70,074 study permits from Ontario in 2026

This year, Ontario received 104,780 PALs, of which 96% are set aside for publicly assisted colleges and universities. The other 4% go to language schools, private universities, and other institutions.  

Using data from an Access to Information Request, the Star reported that Conestoga College in Kitchener/Waterloo received 9,092 PALs.  

This is likely in part because the college offers 281 programs that give students the educational qualifications to enter in-demand professions. When the province released its total allocation in December 2025, Ontario signaled that it would “prioritize programs that produce the graduates Ontario’s key industries need to thrive.”  

Sheridan College, which has campuses throughout southern Ontario, got the second-highest allocation at 7,141, and Humber College came in third-highest at 6,974.  

The University of Toronto is the only university in Ontario to be allocated more than 3,000 PALs at 6,403. The only other university with more than 2,000 was the University of Ottawa.  

Why Did These Schools Receive the Most PALs, and What does it Say about Ontario’s Priorities? 

The most significant part of the data is that it shows how much Ontario is leaning toward colleges over universities when distributing PALs.   

Colleges like Conestoga, Sheridan, and Humber tend to offer more career-focused, shorter-duration programs that closely align with immediate labour market needs.  Many of these programs are in sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, early childhood education, and business—areas where Ontario continues to face worker shortages and, coincidentally, often align with priority draws in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, or Express Entry.  

Geography is also important. Institutions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Kitchener-Waterloo region received some of the highest allocations. This reflects both population density and regional economic priorities. These areas are home to major employers in tech, manufacturing, and healthcare.  

Colleges also generally offer hundreds of programs across multiple campuses, which allows them to accommodate more international students. This helps explain why institutions like Conestoga College, with its wide range of programs, received the highest allocation overall.  

At the same time, universities tend to have smaller intake sizes for undergraduate programs and place greater emphasis on academic pathways rather than direct workforce entry.   

While universities like the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa still received significant allocations, the overall distribution suggests that Ontario is prioritizing institutions that can prepare students for employment in key industries in the shortest time possible.  

Does this Mean That if I Apply to a College, I’ll be Accepted?   

The allocations suggest that if you are interested in studying in Ontario as an international student, depending on your program eligibility, you are likely to have a better chance of getting a PAL if you apply to a college rather than a university.   

That is still not a guarantee, though. While the provincial allocation of PALs is comparatively high, there is a second, smaller allocation of study permits that will actually be issued. This year, it’s 70,074 for Ontario. The smaller number accounts for rejections or delays of study permit applications. 

The study permit cap also includes master’s and doctoral students who do not require a PAL. This means more competition for permits among undergraduate students than there is for just a PAL.  

How Can I Get a PAL?  

You can only get a PAL in Ontario if you are accepted at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).  

Every DLI is different, but generally, once you are accepted, you should automatically receive a letter in your student portal. Some schools may require a tuition deposit first, or you may need to request a letter. It’s best to check with your admissions department.   

From there, you can complete your study permit application and submit it to IRCC. IRCC will ask your DLI to verify your letter of acceptance.  

What Does the Smaller Allocation Mean for Ontario?  

Ontario’s total allocation this year represents a cut in the number of PALs the province can issue compared to the last two years. In 2025, Ontario had an allocation of 181,590, and in 2024, one of 235,000.  

It’s yet another signal that IRCC isn’t taking its goal of reducing the temporary resident population lightly. The result is that the province is struggling to make up the revenue lost by the cut in international student numbers.  

Ontario has recently promised an investment of $ 6.4 billion for post-secondary institutions over the next four years, while also making drastic changes to the provincial student loan program, affecting thousands of Canadian students.  

What Does This Mean for International Students Considering Ontario?  

If you want to study in Canada, the program you choose matters more than ever. You should also carefully consider if the program you choose aligns with labour market priorities.  

A smaller PAL allocation might make it harder for aspiring international students to get a spot at an Ontario DLI. Still, the chances might be better in Ontario than in other provinces. A recent report by Canada’s Auditor General found that in 2023 and 2024, provinces with smaller populations approved 59% fewer study permits than they did before international student reforms in early 2024.  

So, in this increasingly competitive system, choosing a program that aligns with Canada’s labour market needs could be the deciding factor in whether you’re able to study in Ontario.