Starting August 21, 2025, Canada’s immigration department – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – will require upfront medical exams for all applicants submitting permanent resident applications through the Express Entry system.
What’s Changing?
Previously, Express Entry applicants would submit their complete application and wait for IRCC to issue instructions for completing a medical exam. Under the new policy, applicants must complete their immigration medical exam (IME) before submitting their application.
This change applies only to Express Entry applicants. Permanent resident applications submitted before August 21, 2025, and those submitted through non-Express Entry streams, are not affected.
Medical Admissibility Requirements
To be approved for permanent resident, the principal applicant and all family members – whether accompanying or not – must be medically admissible to Canada. Medical inadmissibility may result from:
- Excessive demand on public health services, defined as exceeding CAD 27,162 per year.
- Public health risks, such as infectious diseases.
Applicants with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes) can reduce the risk of inadmissibility by showing their condition is stable and well-managed.
Immigration Medical Exam (IME) Details
Medical exams must be conducted by IRCC-approved panel physicians. To schedule an IME:
- Visit IRCC’s panel physician directory.
- Select your country or territory.
- Contact a physician directly to book an appointment.
Costs typically range from CAD 140 to CAD 280 per person, and applicants must pay for:
- Physician or radiologist fees
- Special tests or treatments
- Specialist consultations
What to Bring to Your IME
- Valid ID (passport or national ID card)
- Four recent photographs
- List of current medications
- Medical reports for existing conditions
- Proof of vaccinations (optional but recommended)
Reusing Previous IMEs
Applicants in Canada who completed an IME within the last five years (e.g., for a work or study permit) may reuse their IME by providing the IME number or unique medical identifier. If IRCC determines the previous results are insufficient, they will request a new exam.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.
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