Everything You Should Know About Canada Medical Test for Immigration

One of the essential requirements for Canada immigration process is to get your medical examination report. Every permanent residence candidate must undergo a Canada medical test before an immigration officer approves their PR visa application. Medical examination plays a key role in determining a candidates' admissibility to Canada.

If you are applying for Canadian permanent residence visa, you must undergo an immigration medical exam. Also, your family members must undergo a medical examination, even if they’re not accompanying you to Canada.

Disclaimer: As per the official website, due to COVID-19 pandemic, a few panel physician offices might be closed. Applicants who wish to schedule their immigration medical examination (IME) may contact the office to check whether they’re open and examining.

In case your application is still in progress and you are unable to complete your IME due to Pandemic related restrictions, please submit proof that your medical appointment is already scheduled, including panel physician's name, date and time of your appointment, or an explanation letter of the efforts you have put in to get your IME done.

You need to get a medical examination to:

• protect the safety and health of Canadians
• prevent huge demand on health and social services system of Canada

Who can do Canada Medical Test?

You must visit a panel physician who is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Your own doctor at your home country is not eligible to do the medical test for Canada student visa or PR visa.

However, the panel physician doesn’t take the final decision about your Canada medical test. The IRCC takes that decision and if there’s any problem with your medical examination, the IRCC will contact you in writing.

Please note that in a few exceptional cases, IRCC may temporarily permit a non-panel physician to perform the medical examination. However, the dispensation is rarely granted to any physician outside Canada. It is granted only to those candidates who are present in Canada physically.

What to bring during a medical test for Canada visa?

When you go for your Canada medical test appointment, you must bring your: 

• identification documents, like government-issued ID card with your photo and signature (a passport, national identity card, etc.)
  • You may also bring your Canadian driver’s license (if you are in Canada)
• contact lenses or eye glasses (if you wear any)
• medical or test results taken for any existing or previous medical conditions
• a list of any medications you are currently taking
• a Medical Report form, if you haven't received an upfront medical exam
  • IRCC will send you the form IMM 1017E
• If your approved panel physician doesn’t have eMedical, bring 4 recent photos.
  • Contact your physician before appointment to confirm
• Bring a proof of any previous vaccination taken for COVID-19 (only if you have)

What to expect during your Canada Medical Test?

As per the Canadian government, an immigration medical test will generally need any or all of the following:

• reviewing past medical history
• assessment of medical records
• physical and mental examination
• laboratory and diagnostic test
• urinalysis (if 5 years or older)
• chest x-ray (if 11 years or older)
• syphilis (if 15 years or older)
• HIV test (if 15 years or older)

Identification

Once you arrive, the panel physician or staff will ask for your identification.

In case you are referred for an x-ray or any other test, you'll have to present your identification again. Also, you'll be photographed for the records.

Questionnaire

The panel physician doctor will give out a medical history questionnaire. It's about any existing or previous medical conditions you have. You'll also be asked if you are on any medications.

Physical examination

You’ll undergo a physical examination, where the doctor will:

• weigh you
• check your vision and hearing
• measure your height
• check blood pressure
• feel pulse
• listen to lungs and heart
• check your abdomen
• check your limbs movement
• look at your skin

Other medical tests

Based on your age, panel physician may ask for a chest x-rays and other laboratory tests at the laboratory or a clinic. This will be a routine screening and the physician will discuss about abnormal results (if any).

You may get referred to a specialist for further testing (if required), based on your medical test results.

COVID-19 vaccination

The IRCC approved panel physician may give you a Canadian government approved COVID-19 vaccine (if available). Vaccination will be voluntary and is not a mandatory part of your Canada medical test.

If you are already vaccinated, even if a single dose is received, you must:

• bring a vaccination proof to your medical examination (either a paper copy or an electronic document)

What to Pay for Canada Medial Test?

The overall medical examination cost for Canadian immigration varies based on the panel physician you visit. Candidates must pay all fees involved with their Canada medical test, including:

• the doctor's or radiologist's fee
• any special investigations, treatment or tests fee (if needed)
• any specialists you visit (if needed)

Please note that asylum seekers or refugees are exempted from paying any medical exam fees. Whereas, in case IRCC refuses your application after medical examination, no refund will be provided.

When you get your Canadian immigration medical test reports?

Once your Canada medical test is done, the panel physician will send you the results and a document confirming that you have taken your medical exam as a proof.

Mostly a panel physician submits a report directly to IRCC electronically. The authority accepts paper-based reports only when the panel physician doesn't have access to the ‘eMedical’.

Your medical report will include the following details:

Contents of your Canada medical test report

• Personal details summary
• Your consent for the test
• Medical history questions
• Physical exam report
• Lab test report
• Chest X Ray report
• Reports covering urinalysis, HIV test, Syphilis test, etc.
• Other relevant information

What is validity period of your Canada medical test report?

A Canada medical test reports are valid for up to 12 months, only if you have successfully cleared the examination and are not disqualified on any health grounds.

In case you don’t come to Canada as a PR within that period, you might need to get another examination done.

How to include Canada medical test results with the PR application?

You must include a copy of the Upfront Medical Report form IMM 1017B along with your application.

In case your doctor works with eMedical, they’ll submit the information sheet print out to be included along with your application.

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