Resources

Steps to Immigration

To work as a physician in Ontario, you must either obtain the necessary documents for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or have Permanent Residency status in Canada.

  • Work Permit: A hiring organization applies for an Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which will allow you to apply for a closed work permit.
  • LMIA Process: Once your LMIA is approved, you can use this to apply for a work permit at a point of entry in Canada ie the Pearson International Airport.
  • Express Entry: Apply for permanent residency through the IRCC’s Express Entry pool with additional points for physicians.
  • OINP: Ontario can nominate physicians from the Express Entry pool, expediting permanent residency.
OPRA - Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance - Immigration
OPRA - Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance - Practice Areas

Licensing in Ontario

To practice medicine in Ontario, physicians must be licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

  • Credential Verification: Verify your credentials through PhysiciansApply.ca with the Medical Council of Canada.
  • License Application: After receiving eligibility, apply for a CPSO license; certain international exams are recognized.
  • CCFP Designation: Completing the MCCQE1 and a recognized training program grants the Certification in Family Medicine (CCFP), which requires ongoing maintenance.

Onboarding Support

Once you have your CPSO certificate, you can access various onboarding resources as a physician in Ontario.

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN): Required for banking and can be applied for using your LMIA letter.
  • Medical Insurance: Apply for coverage through the CMPA.
  • Ontario Medical Association (OMA): Become a member for support and resources.
  • OHIP Billing: Apply for billing with your CPSO certificate and a Canadian bank account.
OPRA - Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance - Onboarding Support
OPRA - Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance - Licensing

Practice Models

Ontario’s family physicians primarily bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), with various practice models that differ in patient enrollment and payment structures.

  • Family Health Organization (FHO): Group of 6+ physicians, blended capitation model, patient enrollment, and after-hours blocks.
  • Family Health Teams (FHT): Interdisciplinary teams linked to FHO/FHN models; new applications are currently suspended.
  • Family Health Group (FHG): 3+ physicians, fee-for-service model with patient enrollment and after-hours blocks.
  • Community Health Centres (CHC): Salaried physicians working in interdisciplinary teams for underserved communities.