Self-Employed Physicians Ontario Gain Easier Path to Residency

On January 1, 2026, Ontario will implement new immigration rules that make it easier for self-employed physicians to qualify for permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.

The changes expand eligibility for internationally educated physicians applying without a job offer and revise the types of medical certification accepted under the stream, aligning immigration rules with Ontario’s broader efforts to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Understanding The New Ontario Rules For Self-Employed Physicians

Under existing OINP rules, most applicants to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream must have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. However, as of January 27, 2025, Ontario introduced an exception allowing certain self-employed physicians to apply without a job offer .

This policy applies to physicians whose work aligns with the following National Occupation Classification codes:

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)

Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)

General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)

The January 1, 2026 update further refines who qualifies as a self-employed physician by adjusting the certification requirements needed to apply without an employer job offer.

Changes To Accepted Certification Classes Effective January 1, 2026

Before this update, physicians could qualify as self-employed under the stream if they held one of the following certification classes:

Independent practice certification

Academic practice certification

Postgraduate education certification

As of January 1, 2026, Ontario has removed postgraduate education certification as a qualifying class. This change was made because holders of postgraduate certificates are not eligible to receive an Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing number.

In its place, Ontario has introduced the provisional certificate of registration as a qualifying credential.

What The Provisional Certificate Of Registration Means

A provisional certificate of registration is a temporary and restricted medical license that allows physicians to practise under defined conditions while completing required examinations for full independent licensure.

To qualify, physicians must be officially eligible to sit for the necessary exams. Those holding provisional certificates are required to work under supervision until they meet all requirements for independent practice.

This new certification framework aligns with Ontario’s “As of Right” initiative, which aims to reduce barriers for internationally trained professionals entering regulated occupations.

Physicians holding only postgraduate education certificates must now secure a valid Ontario job offer to apply under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream, as they no longer qualify as self-employed applicants.

How The Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker Stream Works

The OINP Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers with eligible job offers in Ontario, as well as qualifying physicians who are exempt from the job offer requirement.

Eligible job offers must be full-time, permanent, and fall within TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. The stream is employer-driven, meaning employers must first register in Ontario’s employer portal before a worker can submit an expression of interest.

For self-employed physicians applying without a job offer, the process differs slightly. These applicants must contact Ontario through the OINP webform to initiate expression of interest registration, rather than going through an employer.

Once registered, most applicants are ranked using Ontario’s points-based system. Physicians eligible to apply without a job offer, including those with provisional certificates, are exempt from this scoring process.

Key Takeaways

Ontario’s new rules take effect on January 1, 2026.

Self-employed physicians can continue applying without a job offer under expanded criteria.

Postgraduate education certification is no longer accepted for self-employed eligibility.

A provisional certificate of registration is now a qualifying credential.

Physicians with postgraduate certificates must now secure a job offer to apply.

The changes aim to support faster integration of physicians into Ontario’s healthcare system.

Ontario’s updated approach reflects a broader effort to attract and retain qualified physicians while modernizing immigration pathways for regulated professionals. For internationally educated doctors seeking permanent residence, understanding these new certification requirements will be essential when planning an application.