Ontario Eases Immigration Rules for Self-Employed Physicians

Ontario has updated its immigration rules to make it easier for self-employed physicians to apply for permanent residency through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The changes allow physicians to use their self-employment experience to meet the work requirements for certain immigration streams, without needing a job offer.

The updated rules apply to several OINP streams, including:

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

Before these changes, many self-employed physicians struggled to qualify because these streams typically required work experience as an employee, while most physicians in Ontario are self-employed.

Self-Employment Work Experience Accepted

Under the new rules, physicians can now count periods of self-employment as their work experience to meet the requirements for the Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams. Physicians must meet certain criteria to qualify, including holding 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

Previously, physicians could not qualify for these streams because the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requires work experience as an employee. Many self-employed physicians did not meet this condition, which made it difficult for them to apply.

Employer Job Offer Stream Now Open to Self-Employed Physicians

In another significant change, physicians can now apply for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream without needing a job offer. This change opens up new opportunities for self-employed physicians, as the stream used to require a job offer from an employer in Ontario.

To qualify, physician applicants must meet several conditions:

• Work under NOC codes 31100, 31101, or 31102
• Be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• Be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services

These changes are particularly important since many physicians in Ontario are self-employed and previously could not apply for this stream due to the job offer requirement.

Federal Changes Align with Ontario’s Updates

These changes are in line with similar adjustments made by the federal government. The federal government has introduced a temporary public policy allowing self-employed physicians to count their self-employment experience toward the requirements of the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program.

This policy also exempts physicians from needing continuous employment for at least one year after receiving permanent residency. It will remain in effect until it is revoked.

Addressing the Demand for Healthcare Professionals

These changes are part of efforts to address Ontario’s physician shortage. As Canada faces an aging population and increasing healthcare demands, provinces like Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Manitoba have created incentives for healthcare professionals to immigrate.

In 2023, the federal government launched category-based selection draws for healthcare workers, aiming to attract more medical professionals.

Enhanced PNP Programs and Express Entry

These OINP streams are integrated with the federal Express Entry system, which allows provinces to nominate candidates for permanent residency. When a candidate receives a provincial nomination, they get 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, greatly improving their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.