Ontario has simplified permanent residence access for some self-employed physicians under its Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream. The updated rules took effect on January 1, 2026.
Under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), most applicants need a job offer. Certain physicians can still apply without one, but the eligibility criteria have changed.
Physicians applying under NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102 can qualify as self-employed if they:
- Can bill Ontario’s public health system (have an OHIP billing number)
- Are in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- Hold a certificate for independent practice, academic practice, or a provisional certificate of registration
The key 2026 change is the removal of postgraduate education licences from eligibility. These licences do not allow OHIP billing, so they no longer qualify for self-employed applications. They have been replaced by the provisional certificate of registration, a time-limited licence that allows supervised practice while physicians complete remaining exams.
Physicians with provisional certificates can apply without a job offer and are exempt from the OINP’s points-based scoring system. Those with postgraduate education licences must now secure an Ontario job offer to be eligible.
