Immigration Medical Exam (IME) for Canada: Complete Guide

Every applicant for Canadian permanent residence — and many applicants for temporary residence — must complete an immigration medical examination (IME). The medical exam is a mandatory step in the immigration process and is designed to protect the health of Canadians and ensure that applicants do not pose a danger to public health or place excessive demand on Canada's health or social services.

This guide explains who needs a medical exam, what it involves, how to find an approved physician, how to prepare, and what happens if a medical condition is identified.

Official information is available from IRCC at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams.html.

Who Needs an Immigration Medical Exam?

The following applicants are required to undergo an immigration medical exam:

Permanent Residence Applicants:

• All applicants for permanent residence, regardless of age or country of origin
• All accompanying family members, including those who are not immigrating to Canada (non-accompanying dependants), must also complete medical exams

Temporary Residence Applicants:

• Foreign workers coming to work in occupations involving close contact with people (healthcare, childcare, education) or food handling
• Individuals who have lived in certain designated countries for six or more consecutive months within the year prior to applying
• Applicants for study permits exceeding six months (depending on nationality and country of residence)
• Applicants for the Super Visa

Not all temporary resident applicants require a medical exam. Check IRCC's country-specific requirements or your application instructions to confirm.

How to Find a Panel Physician

Immigration medical exams must be performed by a designated panel physician approved by IRCC. You cannot use your regular family doctor for this exam.

Finding a Panel Physician

IRCC maintains a directory of panel physicians searchable by country and city at https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx.

If you are in Canada:

• Panel physicians are available in most major cities across Canada
• You do not need to see a physician in your city of residence — any Canadian panel physician will work

If you are outside Canada:

• Search for panel physicians in the country where you are currently residing
• In some countries, there may be very few panel physicians, and appointments may need to be booked weeks in advance

Booking Your Appointment

1. Search the IRCC panel physician directory for your location
2. Contact the physician's office directly to book an appointment
3. Ask about the cost, required documents, and what to bring
4. Bring your passport, glasses or contact lenses (if applicable), any medical records for existing conditions, and a list of current medications

What the Medical Exam Includes

The immigration medical exam typically includes the following components:

Physical Examination

A general physical examination including:

• Height, weight, and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate)
• Vision and hearing assessment
• Examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen, and nervous system
• Skin examination
• Assessment of overall physical health and any visible conditions

Medical History Review

The panel physician will ask about your:

• Current and past medical conditions
• Surgical history
• Current medications
• Family medical history
• Mental health history
• Substance use history (alcohol, drugs, tobacco)

Blood Tests

Blood tests are required for applicants aged 15 years and older and typically include:

• HIV testing — mandatory for all applicants 15 and older
• Syphilis screening — mandatory for all applicants 15 and older
• Other tests may be ordered based on your medical history or physical exam findings

Urinalysis

A urine test is required for applicants aged 5 years and older to check for:

• Kidney function
• Diabetes indicators
• Other conditions

Chest X-Ray

A chest X-ray is required for applicants aged 11 years and older to screen for:

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Other pulmonary conditions

If the chest X-ray shows abnormalities, the panel physician may order additional tests, including sputum cultures for TB.

Additional Tests

The panel physician may request additional tests based on their clinical findings, including:

• Additional blood tests for liver function, kidney function, or specific diseases
• Specialist consultations
• Additional imaging studies
• Mental health assessments

Medical Exam for Children

Children under 15 undergo a modified exam:

• Physical examination
• Urinalysis (if aged 5 or older)
• Chest X-ray (if aged 11 or older)
• Blood tests are generally not required for children under 15 unless there is a clinical reason
• Vaccination history review

Cost of the Immigration Medical Exam

The cost of the medical exam varies by country and physician. In Canada, the exam typically costs between $200 and $450 per person, depending on the location and the tests required. The cost is not covered by provincial health insurance and must be paid by the applicant.

Outside Canada, costs vary widely. Contact the panel physician's office for pricing before your appointment.

How Results Are Submitted

Panel physicians submit your medical exam results directly to IRCC through a secure electronic system called eMedical. You do not need to submit your medical results yourself. The process works as follows:

1. The panel physician conducts the exam and any required tests
2. Results are entered into the eMedical system
3. IRCC receives the results electronically
4. If there are concerns, IRCC's medical officers review the results and may request additional information
5. IRCC makes an admissibility determination

You will receive a copy of your medical exam form (IMM 1017B) for your records, but you do not submit it with your application.

Validity of Medical Exam Results

Immigration medical exam results are valid for 12 months from the date of the exam. This means:

• Your permanent residence must be finalized (you must become a PR) within 12 months of your medical exam
• If your medical exam expires before your application is processed, IRCC may ask you to complete a new exam
• Plan your medical exam timing carefully — too early means it may expire, too late means it could delay your application

For Express Entry applicants who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), it is generally recommended to complete the medical exam immediately after receiving the ITA, as the 60-day deadline to submit your application is tight.

Medical Inadmissibility

IRCC may find an applicant medically inadmissible on two grounds:

1. Danger to Public Health

You may be found inadmissible if you have a health condition that:

• Is likely to be a danger to public health (for example, active and untreatable tuberculosis)
• Is likely to be a danger to public safety

Most treatable conditions do not result in inadmissibility. For example, a person with latent TB who completes treatment is generally admissible.

2. Excessive Demand on Health or Social Services

You may be found inadmissible if your health condition is reasonably expected to cause excessive demand on Canada's health or social services. The excessive demand threshold is updated annually by IRCC.

Important exceptions:

• Conditions that can be managed with medication at a cost below the threshold are generally not considered excessive demand
• Some conditions are excluded from the excessive demand assessment, including education, social and vocational rehabilitation services, and personal support services
• Family members being sponsored under the family class may be exempt from the excessive demand provision in certain circumstances

What Happens If You Are Found Medically Inadmissible

If IRCC's medical officers identify a potential concern:

1. You will receive a procedural fairness letter explaining the concern
2. You have an opportunity to respond with additional medical evidence
3. IRCC makes a final determination
4. If found inadmissible, you can request judicial review of the decision

How to Prepare for Your Medical Exam

1. Book early — In some locations, panel physicians have wait times of several weeks. Book your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your ITA or application instructions.

2. Bring all relevant documents — Passport, eyeglasses or contact lenses, medical records for any existing conditions, a list of current medications with dosages, and any previous medical exam results.

3. Disclose everything — Be honest about your medical history. The panel physician will discover conditions through testing, and non-disclosure can raise credibility concerns.

4. Bring your vaccination records — While not mandatory for the IME itself, having vaccination records available can be helpful.

5. Wear comfortable clothing — You will need to undress for parts of the physical exam.

6. Eat normally — Unless the physician's office gives specific instructions, you do not need to fast before the exam. However, it is best to avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the appointment.

7. Prepare for blood work — If you are uncomfortable with needles, let the physician's staff know in advance.

Upfront Medical Exam

IRCC offers an upfront medical exam option for some programs. This means you can complete the medical exam before receiving an ITA or before submitting your PR application. The upfront medical exam can speed up processing because the results are already in the system when IRCC receives your application.

To complete an upfront medical exam:

1. Visit a panel physician and request an upfront exam
2. The physician will provide you with a medical report number
3. Include this number in your immigration application
4. IRCC will retrieve the results from the eMedical system

This option is available for Express Entry and some other programs. Check your specific program instructions.

Useful Resources

• IRCC Medical Exams: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams.html
• Panel Physician Directory: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
• Medical Inadmissibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/reasons/medical-inadmissibility.html