Self-Employed Physicians: Ontario’s New PR Pathway (2026 Update)
(3-4 min estimated read time)
Are you a physician working toward licensure in Ontario and wondering if you can apply for permanent residence without a job offer? It’s possible.
Ontario has introduced changes that simplify the path to PR for certain self-employed physicians under the OINP Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream. These updates expand eligibility and may allow some internationally trained doctors to apply without a traditional job offer, making the process faster and more straightforward.
At Northia Immigration, we are especially encouraged by this change because it removes a major barrier for regulated professionals who are already supporting Ontario’s healthcare system.
Below, we will break down what changed, who qualifies, and what physicians should do next.
Why this matters
Many internationally trained physicians don’t fit the typical “job offer” model used for other occupations.
In practice, physicians may be:
- compensated through OHIP billing
- working under supervision requirements
- completing licensing steps before full independent practice
So when Ontario updates its rules to better reflect how physicians actually work, it can open the door to a clearer and more realistic PR pathway.
What changed for self-employed physicians?
Previously, only physicians with certain types of certification could apply without a job offer.
Under the new rules, effective January 1, 2026:
- Postgraduate education certificates no longer qualify for these applications.
- A new category, the provisional certificate of registration, is now accepted.
This certificate allows physicians to practice under supervision while completing exams for full licensure, offering a faster route to permanent residence.
Who can apply without a job offer?
Self-employed physicians may qualify without a job offer if they:
- Hold a provisional, independent practice, or academic practice certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
- Are eligible for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing
- Work under one of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
31100 — Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
31101 — Specialists in surgery
31102 — General practitioners and family physicians
Physicians with postgraduate certificates now need a job offer to apply under the same stream.
How the employer job offer stream works
This stream is designed for skilled foreign workers with permanent, full-time job offers:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP webform
- Exempt from point scoring, no need to compete based on language, location, or wage
- Evaluated primarily on professional credentials and OHIP eligibility
This change is part of Ontario’s “As of Right” framework, aimed at removing barriers for regulated professionals.
Northia Quick Check (Before You Start)
Not sure if you’re truly eligible under the “no job offer required” physician pathway?
Ask yourself:
✔ Do I hold a CPSO provisional / independent / academic practice certificate?
✔ Am I eligible for OHIP billing?
✔ Does my work align with an eligible NOC code (31100, 31101, or 31102)?
✔ If I only have a postgraduate education certificate, do I now need a job offer?
✔ Do I have clear documents that support my role, billing structure, and professional standing in Ontario?
If you’re unsure about any of the above, it’s worth reviewing your pathway carefully before submitting.
Bringing it to Northia
If you are a self-employed physician aiming to immigrate to Ontario, these new rules may simplify your PR strategy significantly.
That said, eligibility under OINP still depends on having the right combination of:
- CPSO registration type
- OHIP eligibility
- correct NOC classification
- well-prepared supporting documents
At Northia Immigration, we help physicians:
- confirm their eligibility under the updated rules
- build a clear and compliant application strategy
- prepare their supporting documents that make sense to an officer
- reduce delays and avoid preventable issues
Book your consultation with Northia Immigration to explore your pathway to permanent residence in Ontario.
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