Last Updated On 29 January 2025, 9:08 AM EST (Toronto Time)
New OINP Update: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has announced pivotal changes to its Express Entry streams and foreign workers stream, effective January 27, 2025.
These amendments primarily focus on facilitating the immigration process for self-employed physicians, recognizing their crucial role in the province’s medical landscape.
Table of Contents
Traditionally, the OINP’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams required applicants to demonstrate work experience in specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
However, self-employment was often excluded from qualifying work experience, posing challenges for self-employed professionals, particularly physicians.
The recent amendments now allow applicants to these streams to count periods of self-employment towards meeting the work experience requirements, provided their experience aligns with one of the following NOC codes:
- NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians
Applicants must choose to be assessed against one of two federal program criteria:
- Federal Skilled Workers Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Notably, for those opting for the Canadian Experience Class criteria, periods of self-employment in the designated NOC codes are now considered valid work experience.
This change aligns with recent federal policy updates, ensuring consistency across immigration programs.
Previously, the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream mandated that applicants secure a job offer from an Ontario employer.
To better address healthcare labour market needs, the OINP has revised this requirement for physician applicants.
Now, physicians can qualify for this stream without a traditional job offer if they meet the following criteria:
Registration and Good Standing: The applicant must be registered and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in one of the following certificate categories that permits patient care.
- Independent practice
- Academic practice
- Postgraduate education
Eligibility for Payment: The applicant must be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services in accordance with the Health Insurance Act, 1990.
These changes, effective January 27, 2025, are exclusive to applicants under the NOC codes 31100, 31101 and 31102, and do not extend to other occupations.
By removing the job offer requirement, Ontario aims to attract and retain more self-employed physicians, thereby strengthening the province’s healthcare system.
The inclusion of self-employment as valid work experience marks a significant shift in Ontario’s immigration policy, particularly benefiting self-employed physicians.
This recognition acknowledges the diverse professional experiences of physicians and provides a more inclusive pathway to permanent residency.
By aligning provincial policies with federal updates, Ontario ensures a cohesive approach to immigration, enhancing the province’s appeal to international medical professionals.
These changes are anticipated to bolster the healthcare workforce, addressing current shortages and improving access to medical services for Ontario residents.
As Ontario continues to refine its immigration strategies, these amendments reflect a commitment to adaptability and responsiveness to sector-specific needs.
Self-employed physicians considering Ontario as their professional destination now have a clearer and more accessible pathway to contribute to the province’s healthcare system.
For detailed information on these changes and application procedures, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the official OINP updates page.
These developments underscore Ontario’s dedication to attracting top-tier medical talent and ensuring the province remains at the forefront of healthcare excellence in Canada.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New IRCC Update: Canada Immigration Backlog Slashed by 64,200
New CPP Payments To Be Sent Canada-Wide On January 29
New Canada Caregiver Programs To Open On March 31, 2025
New Canada provincial immigration quota 2025 raises concerns
