ONTARIO EXPANDS OINP ELIGIBILITY FOR SELF-EMPLOYED INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED PHYSICIANS

ONTARIO EXPANDS OINP ELIGIBILITY FOR SELF-EMPLOYED INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED PHYSICIANS

New PR Pathways for Self-Employed Physicians in Ontario

Ontario is taking a significant step toward solving its healthcare shortage by streamlining the path to permanent residency for foreign-trained doctors. Effective January 1, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially expanded its eligibility criteria for self-employed physicians under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream. This update allows more medical professionals to secure their future in the province without needing a traditional employer-employee relationship.

Key Eligibility Updates for Medical Professionals

The recent revisions align with the Medicine Act, 1991, ensuring that immigration pathways reflect the reality of how medicine is practiced in Ontario.

  • Provisional Certificate Holders: For the first time, physicians holding a provisional certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) are eligible to apply. This is a game-changer for "exam-eligible" doctors currently working under supervision.

  • OHIP Billing Requirement: To qualify as self-employed, applicants must possess a valid OHIP billing number. This serves as proof of their active integration into the provincial healthcare system.

  • Eligible Occupations: The expansion applies specifically to:

    • NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.

    • NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery.

    • NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians.

Important Restrictions and Future Outlook

While the program has expanded for many, it has also become more specific regarding licensing types:

  • Postgraduate License Holders: Those holding a postgraduate education license no longer qualify under the self-employed category because they are ineligible for OHIP billing numbers. However, they remain eligible for OINP if they hold a formal job offer from an Ontario employer.

  • Addressing the Shortage: These changes are designed to bridge the gap for doctors in "licensing limbo," allowing them to gain permanent status while completing their final Canadian certifications. By 2026, Ontario aims to lead the country in retaining internationally trained medical talent.

Strengthening Ontario’s Health Workforce

By removing the job-offer barrier for self-employed doctors, Ontario is "rolling out the red carpet" for the medical talent it needs most. This policy shift acknowledges that a billing physician is already an economically established contributor to the province.

Are you an internationally trained physician in Ontario? Don't let licensing complexities stall your PR. Contact Global Opportunities for an eligibility assessment and expert guidance on the new 2026 OINP requirements.

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