Medical examinations for immigration to Canada: what IRCC requires

The immigration medical examination is a mandatory step for the vast majority of people applying for a permanent residence visa, a long-term work or study visa, or Canadian citizenship. This examination - distinct from an ordinary medical consultation - can only be carried out by a physician specifically designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The results are transmitted directly to IRCC by secure electronic means, without going through the applicant. This guide outlines the steps in the procedure, the examinations required according to the applicant's profile, the timeframes involved and the factors that can influence medical admissibility.

Who needs an immigration medical examination - and when

The requirement for a medical examination depends on the type of application, the duration of the planned stay and, in some cases, the applicant's country of origin. Understanding when an examination is required avoids unnecessary delays in processing the file.

Permanent residence - systematic examination required

Any application for permanent residence in Canada - whether through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry), the Provincial Nominee Program (including the Quebec Experience Program - PEQ - administered by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration du Québec, MIFI), family reunification or a humanitarian program - requires a medical examination for all family members included in the application, including those not immigrating immediately.

Long-term temporary visas - depending on duration and country

A medical examination is required for temporary foreign workers and students whose intended stay exceeds six months, and who come from countries designated by IRCC as requiring this prior examination. The list of these countries is published and updated on canada.ca. Temporary residents from countries where certain infectious diseases are endemic are systematically subject to this requirement.

Healthcare and childcare workers - specific rule

Anyone whose employment in Canada involves direct and regular contact with vulnerable persons - patients, infants, long-term care residents - must undergo a medical examination, regardless of their country of origin or the length of their intended stay. This rule applies to doctors, nurses, orderlies, day-care workers and orderlies applying for temporary work permits or permanent residency.

At what point in the process passn the exam

Since 2020, IRCC has generalized the upfront medical approach. For the majority of permanent residency applications, the medical examination must be completed prior to submission of the full application, or within 30 to 60 days of receiving an invitation from IRCC. Results are valid for 12 months. If the application is not processed within this period, a new examination may be required.

IRCC medical examination procedure - stages and components

The immigration medical examination follows a standardized protocol defined by IRCC. It is not just a general medical consultation, but a structured assessment with components that vary according to the age of the applicant.

Step 1 - Make an appointment with an IRCC designated physician

The examination can only be carried out by a physician on the official list of designated physicians published on canada.ca. This physician is authorized by IRCC to perform the examinations and transmit the results via the Global Medical Portal (GMP), IRCC's secure electronic platform. It is important to check that the doctor you contact is on the list when you book your appointment, as accreditations can be updated.

Step 2 - Documents to bring to the consultation

Applicants must bring the following documents with them: photo ID (preferably a valid passport), form IMM 1017 (advice to consult a designated physician) if forwarded by IRCC, results of relevant previous medical examinations (tuberculosis, serologies, etc.), and a list of medications taken regularly with dosages. Glasses or contact lenses must be brought along if the applicant wears them.

Exam components by age

For applicants aged 11 and over: general health check-up (full medical history, physical examination), tuberculosis screening test (chest X-ray), blood tests (syphilis serology, and HIV screening for applicants aged 15 and over). For children under 11: full physical examination and tuberculosis test if known exposure. Additional tests may be required, depending on initial findings: NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C depending on epidemiological profile, or evaluation of psychiatric if from history are declared. 

Direct electronic transmission to IRCC - applicant does not receive results

An important feature of this examination is that the results are not given directly to the applicant. They are transmitted by the DMP directly to IRCC via the Global Medical Portal (GMP). The applicant only receives confirmation that the examination has been completed. This mechanism is designed to ensure the integrity of the medical data in the immigration file. If further results are required, the DMP contacts the applicant directly to schedule the additional examinations.

Medical eligibility - what conditions may affect an application

The purpose of the immigration medical examination is to assess whether the applicant's health condition poses a risk to Canadian public health, or would cause excessive demand on health or social services. This concept - excessive demand - is defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations.

Conditions for refusal - the excessive demand criterion

An application may be refused on medical grounds if IRCC determines that the applicant's medical condition is likely to result in costs to Canadian health or social services exceeding a threshold set annually - the average cost per Canadian per year multiplied by the expected length of stay. This calculation takes into account foreseeable costs over the entire duration of the status applied for. Conditions frequently assessed under this criterion include certain severe chronic illnesses, disabilities requiring prolonged specialized care, or psychiatric conditions requiring recurrent hospitalization.

Infectious diseases and public health

Certain infectious diseases may result in refusal or postponement of the application for reasons of public health protection. Active tuberculosis is the most frequent case: if contagious pulmonary tuberculosis is detected, the application is suspended until documented cure. Latent tuberculosis (ILTB) is not in itself grounds for refusal, but follow-up measures may be recommended. Active syphilis and certain forms of symptomatic HIV may also be subject to in-depth assessment, depending on the stage of the disease and the therapeutic resources required.

Exceptions and exemptions - protected populations

Certain categories of applicants benefit from protection against refusal on grounds of excessive demand: recognized refugees, protected persons, and spouses or dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the context of family reunification. For these categories, health status cannot lead to refusal, although examination remains mandatory for identification and service planning purposes.

Deadlines, validity and costs - what you need to consider

Time management is a critical aspect of the immigration medical examination. An examination done too early risks expiring before IRCC's final decision; a delay can block the processing of the file. Here are the essential parameters.

Validity of results - 12 months from exam date

The results of an immigration medical examination are valid for 12 months. If the immigration application is not processed within this period, IRCC may require a complete re-examination. In some cases, a partial update is sufficient - for example, if only the chest x-ray has expired - but this is a decision for the DMP and IRCC to make.

IRCC results processing times

Following transmission of the results by the designated physician, IRCC generally has 30 to 90 days to evaluate the medical data and render a decision on medical eligibility. This period may be extended if additional tests are required or if an in-depth assessment for excessive demand is initiated.

Examination costs - to be borne by the applicant

The cost of the immigration medical examination is not covered by RAMQ or IRCC. They are entirely the responsibility of the applicant. Costs vary by DMP and region, and include the medical consultation, chest X-ray and blood tests required. Additional fees may apply if further tests are required. It is advisable to confirm fees when making an appointment.

Immigration medical exam at Clinique Omicron - IRCC designated physician on the South Shore

Access to an IRCC-designated physician within the timeframe required by the immigration process often represents a logistical challenge for applicants based on Montreal's South Shore. Clinique Omicron, with sites in several locations, includes among its professionals an IRCC-authorized Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) to perform immigration medical examinations and transmit results directly via the Global Medical Portal.

Structured management of medical records

The Clinique Omicron medical team guides candidates through every step of the process: checking the required documents before the consultation, carrying out all the clinical and paraclinical examinations stipulated by the IRCC protocol, and secure electronic transmission of results within the expected timeframe. If additional examinations are required - radiology, specialized analyses - the appropriate referrals are issued without delay.

Accompaniment from candidates at programs québécois immigration 

Candidates for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PTQQ) or federal economic immigration programs with Quebec selection are regularly welcomed for medical examinations at the clinic's various points of service. Families with children can schedule consultations for several members on the same day upon request, subject to availability.

Availability without a family doctor - no referral required

The immigration medical examination does not require a prior referral from a family physician. Applicants without a regular physician can make an appointment directly with Clinique Omicron's designated physician. Details of how to make an appointment and the documents to be prepared are available on the dedicated page of cliniqueomicron.ca.

FAQ - Medical examinations for immigration to Canada

Q : Can I choose any doctor for my immigration medical examination?

A: No. The immigration medical examination can only be performed by a physician on the official list of physicians designated by IRCC. This list is published and available on canada.ca. An examination performed by a non-designated physician will not be recognized by IRCC and will have to be repeated. It is therefore imperative to check this status before booking an appointment.

Q : Will I receive the results of my medical examination directly?

A: No. Results are transmitted directly by the DMP to IRCC via the Global Medical Portal (GMP), a secure electronic platform. The applicant receives only a confirmation of transmission. If additional results are required, the DMP contacts the applicant directly to schedule further tests.

Q : How long do the results of the medical examination remain valid?

A: Results are valid for 12 months from the date of the examination. If your immigration application is not finalized within this period, IRCC may require a new examination. It is therefore strategically advantageous not to conduct the examination too early in the process - ideally after receiving an official invitation from IRCC, or in coordination with your authorized immigration representative.

Q : Can a chronic health problem lead to the refusal of my immigration application?

A: Not systematically. IRCC assesses whether the condition would cause «excessive demand» on Canadian health or social services based on an annual monetary threshold. Some well-controlled chronic conditions do not exceed this threshold. Recognized refugees, protected persons and spouses or children of citizens or permanent residents in the context of family reunification are exempt from this criterion. In case of doubt, an Authorized Immigration Representative (AIR) can assess your situation prior to examination.

Q: Do I have to retake the medical examination if my application takes longer than 12 months to process?

A: Yes, in most cases. If your medical results expire before IRCC issues a final decision, a complete or partial re-examination will be required. This scenario is common in extended treatment files. IRCC will notify you directly in writing via your online account. It is recommended to foresee this eventuality in the financial planning of your immigration project.

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