Work Permits & Permanent Residency for Physicians in Ontario

Once you have chosen a practice location, a community physician recruiter can assist you in obtaining a Temporary Foreign Work Permit and guide you through the pathways to Permanent Residency (PR).

Temporary Foreign Work Permits

C10 Significant Benefit Process (LMIA Exemption) Physicians – C10 overview one pager

Physicians can obtain a work permit without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) by demonstrating a significant benefit to the community.

Steps:

  1. The clinic submits a short LMIA exemption survey (10-20 minutes to complete).
  2. An “A” code is issued and sent to the ’employer’.
  3. The employer includes this code in a support letter explaining the physician’s significant benefit to the community.
  4. The physician takes the following documents to an IRCC office at an international airport or border crossing to apply for a closed work permit for themselves and an open work permit for their family:
    • Support letter from the employer
    • Job offer letter
    • CPSO registration documents
    • Immigration Medical Certificate
    • Permanent Residency Pathway for Physician

Global Skills Strategy

The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) is a Canadian immigration initiative designed to expedite the work permit process for highly skilled foreign workers, including physicians, aiming to contribute to Canada’s healthcare system. Under the GSS, eligible applicants can benefit from a two-week processing time for their work permit applications, facilitating a quicker transition into the Canadian workforce.

Steps:

If you don’t need an LMIA, you may be eligible for 2-week processing if you meet all of these requirements:

  • You’re applying from outside Canada.
  • Your job is classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
  • Your employer has submitted an offer of employment using the Employer Portal and paid the employer compliance fee.

International Experience Canada applicants are not eligible for GSS processing.

 

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Process

A sponsoring organization (clinic, hospital, or community) may apply for an LMIA, allowing the physician to apply for a closed work permit for themselves and an open work permit for their family.

Steps:

  1. The employer applies for an LMIA through Service Canada.
  2. A decision is issued within 15-30 days.
  3. A positive LMIA is forwarded to the physician.
  4. The physician uses the LMIA to apply for a work permit at an IRCC office or border crossing.
  5. Required Documents:
    • Job offer letter
    • LMIA confirmation with LMIA number
    • Proof of qualifications (CPSO & MCC letters)
    • Immigration Medical Certificate
    • Permanent Residency Pathways for Physicians

Permanent Residency Pathways for Physicians

Express Entry – Federal PR Program

Physicians can apply for permanent residency through IRCC’s Express Entry system, a points-based immigration pathway.

How It Works:

  1. Create a profile in the Express Entry Pool.
  2. If nominated through OINP, you receive 600 additional points, significantly increasing your chances of selection.
  3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
  4. Submit your PR application to IRCC within 6 months of nomination.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Adds Points to Express Entry

As of 2024, physicians can apply directly to the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) without employer sponsorship, as they are now classified as self-employed.

How It Works with Express Entry:

  • If nominated through OINP, you receive 600 additional points in the Express Entry system.
  • This nomination significantly increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Eligibility for OINP Nomination:

  • Must be practicing in Ontario as a self-employed physician.
  • No requirement for an employer with 3+ employees or $500,000+ in revenue.

Steps to Apply for OINP:

  1. Apply directly to the OINP Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream, even as a self-employed physician.
  2. If nominated, you receive an OINP Certificate of Nomination and a work permit support letter within 60-120 days.
  3. Use these documents to apply for a work permit or permanent residency through IRCC.