Anyone applying for permanent residence must undergo a medical exam before their application can be approved. A medical exam report is one of the final items you must check off your to do list during the immigration process to Canada. Our Ottawa and Orleans immigration panel physicians explain what to expect in this post.
If you apply to come to Canada as a student, temporary worker or permanent resident, you can potentially be deemed medically inadmissible if you fall into either of these two categories:
- You, or any of your dependent family members, pose a danger to the general public's health or safety;
- You, or any of your dependent family members, have a condition that would put excessive strain or demand on Canada's health or social services.
Excessive demand would mean the expected cost of treatment would exceed five times the annual average cost of health and social services for an individual in Canada.
An authorized medical practitioner would conduct a medical exam to determine whether you (the applicant) fulfill the health requirements to immigrate to Canada. A Medical Certificate or Medical Report is then produced based on the results of the exam, and can significantly impact your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.
Do I need a medical exam for immigration purposes?
The principal applicant and all dependants, including those who are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada, should undergo an immigration medical exam and obtain the medical report. An applicant's eligibility to immigrate depends on all of his or her dependants successfully meeting the health requirement.
To be eligible for permanent residence in Canada, the applicant and any and all dependants cannot suffer from a condition that leaves public health at risk or puts excessive strain on the Canadian health system. The applicant will need to be prepared to meet this requirement from the time they file an application for permanent residence in Canada.
You may also need a medical exam if you are a foreign national applying to study or work in Canada. Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) website to learn whether you'll require a medical exam.
When should I get my medical report?
Once you receive instructions from IRCC on when to get your medical exam, you can book an appointment at one of our Ottawa clinics within the timeline the IRCC has specified. Visit our booking page or type the phrase "Immigration Medical Exam near Ottawa" into your favourite search engine to find us.
Who is an IRCC-authorized panel physician?
An IRCC-approved panel physician must conduct a Canadian immigration medical examination. While IRCC may grant a dispensation in exceptional cases to temporarily permit a non-panel physician to conduct the exam, these are rarely granted to physicians outside Canada. This option is available mostly to immigration applicants who are physically in Canada.
What does the Canadian immigration medical exam involve?
Typically, the exam will require any or all of these:
- Review of medical history
- Medical assessment of records about the applicant
- Physical exam
- Mental exam
- Laboratory tests
- Diagnostic tests
- Medical assessment of records respecting the applicant
- Urinalysis, applicants age 5 and older.
- Chest X-ray (posterior-anterior view) for applicants age 11 and older
- Syphilis test for applicants age 15 and older
- HIV test for applicants age 15 and older
The next step in the immigration medical exam process is to visit one of our clinics in Ottawa or Orleans. We offer urine and blood testing onsite, in addition to X-rays so you can complete any additional testing required in one location.
We'll send the results of your exam to IRCC within 5 to 10 business days and you will receive a document with your case number (IME/UMI) to confirm that you've completed your exam.
How much does a Canadian immigration medical cost?
The cost of your exam will vary depending on your age. Blood, urine, and vision tests, as well as X-rays, are included in the exam price, so you'll have access to all the services you need in one place, on the same day whether you visit our Ottawa or Orleans location. All parts of your exam will be completed during your appointment with us. Payment is due at your appointment.
What will be in my medical exam report?
Your medical report will have the following details:
- Summary of personal information
- Your consent to the medical exam
- Medical history questions
- Physical exam report
- Lab test report
- Chest X-ray report and results
- Reports covering urinalysis, HIV test, Syphilis test and other medical reports
- Any other relevant information
How long will my Canadian immigration medical report be valid for?
If you complete your medical exam and are not disqualified based on your health status, your positive report will be valid for 12 months from the date of your medical assessment. This validity period is the same whether you had your exam in Canada or a foreign country.
If your validity period has expired (more than one year has passed since you underwent the medical exam), you and your dependants will need to complete another immigration medical exam to continue to remain eligible. Therefore, you may opt to schedule your exam after the file has begin processing. An upfront exam may lapse if the processing period extends past 12 months.
You can order a copy of your medical report after we have submitted it to the government. Reports are typically filed with IRCC within 7 to 10 days following your exam date.
