Dear future neighbour,
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced amendments to its Human Capital Priorities (HCP) and French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams, allowing self-employed physicians to use their work experience to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
These changes align with recent federal policy updates, making it easier for self-employed physicians to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
Eligibility for Self-Employed Physicians
Under the new amendments, applicants can count periods of self-employment towards the work experience requirement if their experience falls under one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
•NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
•NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
•NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
This change is particularly significant as self-employed work experience was traditionally not considered under the Express Entry system. Now, eligible physicians can benefit from these adjustments when applying to Ontario’s Express Entry streams.
Choosing a Federal Program for Assessment
Applicants to the HCP and FSSW streams must choose one of two federal programs to be assessed against:
1.Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2.Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The key change applies to applicants selecting the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): they can now use self-employment experience to meet the required work experience criteria if their occupation falls under one of the designated NOC codes listed above.
Restrictions on Other NOC Codes
These amendments do not apply to applicants with self-employment experience in occupations outside NOC 31100, NOC 31101, and NOC 31102. Other professions must continue to meet standard employment requirements under the existing OINP and federal Express Entry criteria.
Alignment with Federal Policy
These changes reflect recent federal updates that recognize the challenges self-employed physicians face when applying for permanent residency. In April 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a policy allowing self-employed physicians in publicly funded healthcare systems to count their experience towards Express Entry eligibility.
By implementing these amendments, Ontario aims to attract and retain more physicians, addressing labor shortages in the healthcare system while ensuring a streamlined pathway to permanent residency for qualified medical professionals.
Do you require assistance with your express entry or provincial nomination profile, study permit or work permit application? Are you overwhelmed with the process and need to speak to a professional immigration consultant? Schedule a consultation session or send an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com to get started today.