Medical exams for permanent residents in Canada are mandatory. If you apply for permanent residency, both you and your dependents, including your spouse or partner and your children, will need to submit to a medical exam. Your immediate family will need to submit to the medical tests even if they are not traveling to Canada.
The purpose of the medical exam is to determine whether you have any medical conditions which make you a danger to Canada or makes you medically inadmissible. Even if you have already submitted to a medical exam for a permit, you will need to undertake a new exam for your permanent residency application. Refusal to submit to a medical exam can mean your application for permanent residency may be refused.
If you need a medical exam for permanent residency, you should be aware that standards of medical inadmissibility have changed as of April 16, 2018. These changes have increased the cost threshold for medical conditions and have changed the social services definition, so it does not include references to special education, personal support services, social rehabilitation, and vocational rehabilitation services. This may mean some applicants who were considered medically inadmissible before 2018 may now be admissible.
Preparing for Medical Exams for Permanent Residents
If you need a medical exam for your application, you will need to pay the exam fee. You will either get a notice about an appointment or will make a direct appointment with an approved medical provider. When you arrive for your exam, make sure you bring the correct ID. You will need at least one piece of identification with your signature and photograph.
If you have any existing medical conditions, bring any test results, medical reports, or information about those conditions. If you do not have them, be prepared to talk to the panel physician about your medical status. Failure to do so can cause delays.
If you wear glasses, contact lenses, or take medication, bring these with you. In addition, bring Medical Report form (IMM 1017E) if this was sent to you in the mail and you are not getting an upfront medical exam. Before your appointment, determine whether the panel physician you will be visiting uses eMedical or paper forms. If he or she does not use eMedical, you will need to bring four recent photographs of yourself to your medical exam.
Getting Your Medical Exam for Permanent Residents
If you are applying for permanent residency, you will want to arrange your medical exam during the application process. Your application form will tell you when you need to arrange your exam. You cannot simply go to your own doctor, however. You need to go to a panel physician. Once you apply for permanent residency, you will get a letter with instructions on how to get a medical examination. Follow these instructions within 30 days of getting the letter.
In some cases, you can also get your medical examination completed before you submit your application and submit it when you apply for permanent residency. This is known as an upfront medical exam and to complete one you can contact a panel physician directly to arrange an appointment. After your tests are complete, the physician will give you a report of your medical tests and you will include this with your application. Note that as of December 15, 2016, dependent children, spouses, and partners applying for immigration through the spousal sponsorship program may not get an upfront medical exam. If you fall into this category, apply for permanent residency first and follow the instructions for medical exams when you receive them via letter.
The medical exam itself will involve a general physical exam, blood work, urine tests, and x-rays. The physician may also send you for additional tests if they decide it is necessary. If you would like to get a copy of your tests, ask the doctor during your visit.
One your medical exam is complete, the physician will tell you the appointment is over and you will be able to go home. The doctor will then send the results of your tests to immigration authorities with the Government of Canada. Immigration officers will make the decision about your medical exams and will inform you in writing of the results, or if any response is necessary. It takes about three months after your medical exam for the results to be processed.
Your medical exam results are valid for one year. If you delay applying for permanent residency for longer than twelve months, you will need to get new medical tests.
In some cases, you can also get your medical examination completed before you submit your application and submit it when you apply for permanent residency. This is known as an upfront medical exam and to complete one you can contact a panel physician directly to arrange an appointment. After your tests are complete, the physician will give you a report of your medical tests and you will include this with your application. As of December 15, 2016, dependent children, spouses, and partners applying for immigration through the spousal sponsorship program may not get an upfront medical exam. If you fall into this category, apply for permanent residency first and follow the instructions for medical exams when you receive them via letter.
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