Ontario eases immigration requirements for self-employed physicians

Ontario has made it easier for self-employed physicians to obtain permanent residency through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Under the updated requirements, physicians will be able to qualify for some streams by counting periods of self-employed work experience, and without requiring a job offer.

The OINP made changes to the following streams:

• Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities.
• Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker.
• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker.

Prior to these changes, many physicians wouldn’t have been able to qualify for these streams, because physicians are often self-employed in Ontario.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP programs

Self-employment work experience

The OINP has amended regulations so that candidates for Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker can use periods of self-employment as a physician to meet the streams’ work experience requirements.

To be eligible, candidates must have periods of self-employment under one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

• NOC 31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.
• NOC 31101 - Specialists in surgery.
• NOC 31102 - General practitioners and family physicians.

Prior to these changes, many physicians would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), because the CEC requires work experience as an employee, and physicians in Ontario are commonly self-employed.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream

Physicians can now qualify for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream without needing a job offer.

To be eligible, physician applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be applying under NOC code 31100, 31101, or 31102.
• Be registered and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in one of the following certificate categories that permits patient care:
  • Independent practice;
  • Academic practice; or
  • Postgraduate education.
• Be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services.

Prior to this change, self-employed physicians could not qualify for this stream, as the stream requires a job offer from an Ontario employer.

Earlier federal changes

The OINP’s changes align with earlier changes made by the federal government.

The federal government has put in place a temporary public policy making it easier for self-employed physicians to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

This temporary public policy allows physicians to count self-employed work experience towards the requirements of these programs.

The policy also exempts qualifying physicians from needing continuous arranged employment for at least one year after receiving permanent residency.

The public policy does not have an expiry date—it is set to remain in effect until revoked.

Demand for medical professionals in Canada

The OINP has made these changes to address Ontario's shortage of physicians.

With Canada having an ageing population and rising demand for healthcare services, several other provinces – including Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Manitoba – have launched incentives for skilled immigrants in healthcare positions.

In 2023, IRCC launched category-based selection draws for candidates with work experience in certain in-demand occupations, including healthcare.

In the latest Immigration Levels Plan, announced October 2024, IRCC identified healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency as priority categories for 2025.

About enhanced PNP programs

These OINP streams are enhanced PNP programs, meaning that they integrate with the federal government’s Express Entry system.

Under the enhanced PNP program, provinces can award provincial nominations to Express Entry candidates.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination, a candidate gains 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, making them extremely likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in an upcoming Express Entry draw.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP programs