Work Permits & Permanent Residency for Physicians

Most internationally trained physicians recruited to Ontario begin practice on a temporary, employer-specific work permit and later pursue Permanent Residency (PR).

Your community physician recruiter can assist with the work permit process and help identify potential immigration pathways.

Please note: Immigration programs and requirements change frequently. This information is intended as general guidance only and does not replace legal or immigration advice. Always confirm current requirements with https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html.

Temporary Foreign Work Permits

C10 Significant Benefit Process (LMIA Exemption)

In some circumstances, physicians may qualify for an employer-specific work permit under an LMIA exemption where their work provides a significant benefit to Canada.

For most LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permits, the employer submits the offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and provides the physician with an offer of employment number. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

Typical Process

  1. The employer completes the applicable LMIA-exemption process.
  2. The employer submits the offer through the IRCC Employer Portal.
  3. The physician receives the employer documentation and offer of employment number.
  4. If eligible, the physician travels with the required documentation (including Immigration Medical Certificate) and applies for an employer-specific work permit upon arrival at a Canadian airport or other port of entry. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]
  5. An eligible spouse or common-law partner may also qualify for an open work permit. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

Learn more:
Applying for a work permit at a port of entry
Check if you can apply at a port of entry

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

If an LMIA exemption does not apply, an eligible employer may need to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before the physician can apply for an employer-specific work permit. [canada.ca]

Typical Process

  1. The employer applies for an LMIA through Service Canada.
  2. Service Canada assesses the application.
  3. A positive LMIA is provided to the physician.
  4. If eligible to apply at a port of entry, the physician uses the LMIA and supporting documents to request an employer-specific work permit upon arrival in Canada. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

Learn more:
Find out if an LMIA is required
Applying for a work permit at a port of entry

Global Skills Strategy

The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) offers expedited processing for certain highly skilled workers. IRCC aims to process eligible and complete applications within two weeks. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

For eligible LMIA-exempt applicants, requirements include applying online from outside Canada for an employer-specific work permit in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation. Employer Portal requirements must also be completed. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

Learn more:
Global Skills Strategy The GSS is an online expedited-processing option and is separate from applying for a work permit at a port of entry.

Permanent Residency Pathways for Physicians

After beginning practice in Ontario, physicians may become eligible for several pathways to Permanent Residency.

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s system for managing applications under several federal economic immigration programs. Eligible candidates create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. [canada.ca]

Once an ITA is issued, applicants have 60 days to submit their Express Entry permanent residence application. [canada.ca]

New Physician Category

In 2026, IRCC introduced a dedicated Express Entry category for physicians with Canadian work experience.

Physicians may qualify if they:

  • Are eligible for an Express Entry program; and
  • Have at least one year of full-time work experience as a medical doctor in Canada within the previous three years. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

This is particularly relevant for physicians who first come to Ontario on a work permit and gain Canadian physician experience.

Learn more:
Medical doctors with experience in Canada
Express Entry category-based selection

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Ontario introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream in 2026. The stream includes a pathway for eligible self-employed physicians without a job offer. [ontario.ca], [ontario.ca]

Self-employed physician applicants must meet the stream requirements and provide documentation including:

  • A Certificate of Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
  • Proof of OHIP billing number registration [ontario.ca]

How to Start

Ontario instructs self-employed physicians applying without a job offer to submit the OINP Webform to begin the Expression of Interest (EOI) registration process. [ontario.ca]

If invited to apply, a self-employed physician currently has 17 calendar days from the invitation date to submit the application and pay the applicable fee. [ontario.ca]

Start here:
https://www.ontarioimmigration.gov.on.ca/oinp_index/resources/app/home/index.html#!/form [ontario.ca]

Program information:
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream [ontario.ca]

Application process:
OINP Application Process [ontario.ca]

New Provincial Nominee Opportunities for Physicians

Canada has reserved up to 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate medical doctors with qualifying job offers or letters of support. [canada.ca], [canada.ca]

Eligible nominated physicians may also qualify for 14-day processing of an online work permit application while pursuing permanent residence. Specific eligibility requirements apply. [canada.ca]

Learn more:
Immigration pathways for medical doctors
Faster work permit processing for medical doctors

Helpful Links

Immigration programs, eligibility criteria, fees and procedures are subject to change. This information is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.