Revised medical exam prerequisites for permanent residency petitions via Express Entry system
Beginning August 21, 2025, the Canadian immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will require pre-medical examinations, also known as Immigration Medical Exams (IMEs), for applicants applying for permanent residence through Express Entry. These exams are designed to ensure the health and safety of Canadian communities. They will evaluate the medical admissibility of the principal applicant and their family members. Foreign nationals must undergo a comprehensive IME, which may include a previous medical history examination, a full-body physical examination, X-rays, blood and urine tests, mental health assessments, immunization record checks, and more. The cost of the IME typically ranges from $140 to $280 per person. To schedule an IME, applicants should view IRCC's list of panel physicians, select the relevant country or territory, and contact a physician directly to book an appointment. During the medical exam, foreign nationals must pay for all related costs, such as the fee for the attending doctor or radiologist, special tests, investigations, or treatments, and any specialist visits. It's important to note that applicants in Canada who have undergone an IME within the last five years can provide their IME number or unique medical identifier when submitting their PR application. Foreign nationals might be found medically inadmissible if their condition(s) are deemed likely to pose an excessive demand on public health services, exceeding three times the national average per capita cost of healthcare, or $27,162 per year. However, this new requirement will not affect applications submitted prior to August 21, 2025. Additionally, non-Express Entry permanent residence applications are not affected by this change. Family members must be medically admissible regardless of whether they are accompanying the principal applicant to Canada. Showing that any chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, are being treated and are stable and controlled can help to reduce the risk of being found medically inadmissible. Applicants who had previously been determined to be low risk or no risk to public health may be exempt from needing to complete another medical exam. However, if IRCC determines the previous results cannot be used, they will notify the applicant with further steps to undergo a new medical exam. When attending an IME, applicants should bring a list of current medications, any medical reports or results for previous/existing conditions, proof of previous vaccinations, identification (such as a passport or national identity card), and four recent photographs. Applicants found medically inadmissible due to conditions that might post a danger to public health, such as carrying certain infectious diseases, will not be eligible for permanent residence. However, they may still be considered for other immigration programs or pathways. This new policy aims to maintain the health and safety of Canadian communities while ensuring a fair and efficient immigration system. For more information about the IME process, applicants should visit the IRCC website or contact a panel physician directly.
