Most permanent residence applicants and some temporary resident applicants must complete an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) as part of their application to Canada. The examination can only be performed by an IRCC-approved panel physician — a doctor who has been authorised by IRCC to conduct immigration medical examinations and whose results are transmitted directly to IRCC in a standardised format.

The medical examination is used to assess whether an applicant is inadmissible to Canada on health grounds — either because they have a condition that is a danger to public health or public safety, or because their condition might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on Canadian health or social services (subject to the excessive demand exemptions under IRPA s 38).

• IRPA s 16 — applicants must submit to medical examination when required
• IRPA s 38 — health inadmissibility grounds
• IRCC: Medical exams overview — canada.ca/medical-exams
• IRCC: Panel physicians — canada.ca/panel-physicians
• IRCC: Canadian Panel Member Guide to Immigration Medical Examinations 2020 — canada.ca/panel-members-guide

Panel physicians — the only authorised examiners

The immigration medical examination must be performed by an IRCC-approved panel physician. Panel physicians are doctors who have been specifically approved and trained by IRCC to conduct IMEs. A regular family physician or general practitioner who is not on the panel cannot perform an immigration medical examination — results from non-panel doctors are not accepted.

Panel physicians are located around the world. An applicant can choose any approved panel physician — it does not need to be in the same country as the visa application, but the applicant should tell the physician where their application will be processed so that results are sent to the correct IRCC office. The list of approved panel physicians worldwide is available on the IRCC panel physicians page.

What the examination involves

The immigration medical examination typically includes:

• A physical examination
• A chest X-ray (required for applicants aged 11 and over for most immigration pathways; 15 and over for some temporary pathways)
• Urinalysis
• Blood tests (including for syphilis and, in some circumstances, HIV)
• A review of the applicant's medical history

The specific tests required depend on the applicant's age and the type of visa or permit being applied for. The panel physician determines what tests are needed and conducts the examination accordingly.

Upfront medical examination (before being asked)

Applicants have the option of completing an upfront medical examination — that is, completing the IME before IRCC formally requests it. An upfront medical examination can speed up the overall processing of the application by having the medical results ready when IRCC assesses the file.

For an upfront medical examination, the applicant asks the panel physician to complete the IMM 1017B (Upfront Medical Report). A copy of this form must be included with a paper application or uploaded with an online application before submission. Upfront exams have the same 12-month validity as requested exams.

Results are sent directly to IRCC

Panel physicians submit the examination results directly to IRCC through a standardised electronic system. Applicants do not receive a copy of the results to submit themselves — the results go from the panel physician to IRCC directly. The applicant receives an instruction from the panel physician about what (if anything) they need to do after the examination.

12-month validity

Immigration medical examination results are valid for 12 months from the date of the examination. If a permanent residence application has not been finalised and the applicant has not been admitted to Canada as a permanent resident within 12 months of the examination, a new examination may be required. This is particularly relevant for applicants in programs with long processing times.

When a medical examination is required

All permanent residence applicants require an IME. For temporary resident applications (visitor visas, work permits, study permits), whether an examination is required depends on:

• The applicant's country of origin or country where they have spent significant time
• The length of the intended stay in Canada
• The type of work the applicant will do (certain occupations — such as healthcare workers, teachers, or those working with children — require an examination)

Use the IRCC country requirements tool to determine whether a medical examination is required for a specific temporary resident application. This tool is updated regularly and reflects current requirements.

For current fee information (medical examination fees are paid directly to the panel physician, not to IRCC) and the current list of approved panel physicians, refer to the IRCC medical exams page. Fees vary by physician and location and are not set by IRCC.

Medical examinations are confidential medical records. The panel physician's findings go to IRCC's medical officers, not to the immigration officer assessing the application — the immigration officer receives only a pass/fail recommendation from the medical officer. Applicants are not entitled to see the medical officer's assessment, but they have the right to respond if a health inadmissibility issue is raised (typically through a procedural fairness letter).