Ontario makes PR easier for self-employed doctors under updated OINP rules.
Well, new rules under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) came into effect on January 1, 2026. These changes expand who can apply as a self-employed physician under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.
The update mainly affects the types of medical licences that internationally trained doctors can hold to qualify under this stream.
Under the OINP’s Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream, most applicants need a job offer from an Ontario employer. However, self-employed physicians have been exempt from this requirement since January 27, 2025, as long as they meet specific conditions.
At present, a self-employed physician can apply without a job offer if they are applying under one of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes: 31100, 31101, or 31102, and if they:
- Are eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services, implying they have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing number; and
- Are registered and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), and hold a certificate in one of the following classes:
- Certificate of registration authorizing independent practice
- Certificate of registration authorizing academic practice
- Provisional certificate of registration
These NOCs include: specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100), specialists in surgery (31101), and general practitioners and family physicians (31102).
What Has Changed Under The New Rules?
Before January 1, 2026, the licence types that allowed doctors to qualify as self-employed under this stream were:
- Independent practice
- Academic practice
- Postgraduate education
Under the new rules, Ontario removed “postgraduate education” from the list of eligible licence classes. This change was made because doctors with a postgraduate education licence cannot obtain an OHIP billing number, which is required for the program.
In place of postgraduate education, Ontario added a new eligible licence type: the provisional certificate of registration.
The provisional certificate of registration officially came into effect on January 1, 2026. It was introduced as part of Ontario’s “As of Right” framework. This framework aims to reduce barriers for people in regulated professions and help them enter the workforce more quickly.
A provisional certificate of registration is a temporary and restricted medical licence. It allows a doctor to work in Ontario under certain conditions while completing required exams for full independent licensure. This licence is only available to physicians who are officially eligible to sit for those exams.
Moreover, doctors holding a provisional certificate must work under supervision until they meet all requirements for full independent practice.
Physicians who hold a postgraduate education licence are no longer allowed to apply as self-employed professionals under this stream. They must now have a job offer from an Ontario employer to qualify under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.
Overview Of The OINP Employer Job Offer Stream
As Ontario makes PR easier for self-employed doctors, let us now discuss about the OINP Employer Job Offer Stream.
Well, the Employer Job Offer Stream offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who have a job offer in Ontario. It also allows certain physicians to apply without a job offer if they meet the required criteria. The stream is open to applicants both inside and outside Canada.
Job offers under this stream must be:
- In a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- Full-time
- For a permanent position
This is an employer-driven program. In most cases, an Ontario employer must first register their business through the OINP employer portal. After this step, the foreign worker can submit an expression of interest (EOI).
The process is slightly different for self-employed physicians who qualify without a job offer. These physicians must contact Ontario through the OINP webform to begin the process of registering an EOI.
Once an EOI is submitted, candidates are normally scored based on factors such as language skills, job location, wage level, and job category.
Physicians who apply without a job offer, including those with provisional certificates of registration after January 1, 2026, are not required to go through the points scoring system. This exemption further simplifies the process for eligible doctors seeking permanent residence in Ontario.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
