Regulation 16 — Obligation to appear for examination
Text of provision
For the purposes of paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Act, a prescribed senior official is a person who, by virtue of the position they hold or held, is or was able to exert significant influence on the exercise of government power or is or was able to benefit from their position, and includes
(a) heads of state or government;
(b) members of the cabinet or governing council;
(c) senior advisors to persons described in paragraph (a) or (b);
(d) senior members of the public service;
(e) senior members of the military and of the intelligence and internal security services;
(f) ambassadors and senior diplomatic officials; and
(g) members of the judiciary.
Plain English
Regulation 16 requires foreign nationals to appear for medical examination by a panel physician designated by IRCC, to provide biometric data when required, and to appear for any interview directed by an officer. Failure to comply with the requirement to appear may result in the application being refused.
Practical effect
Medical examination requirements apply to most permanent resident applicants and some temporary resident applicants. Medical exams must be conducted by IRCC-designated panel physicians — exams by non-designated physicians are not accepted. Biometric collection (fingerprints and photo) is now required for most applicants between the ages of 14 and 79. Failure to attend a scheduled biometrics appointment or medical examination without reasonable cause may be treated as abandonment of the application.