Express Entry Medical Exam: Requirements, Timing and Validity
An immigration medical examination is part of the permanent residence process under Express Entry. Applicants who have never completed an immigration medical exam should normally complete an upfront exam after receiving an Invitation to Apply and before submitting their permanent residence application. Family members must also meet the medical requirement, including those who are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada.
What Is an Express Entry Immigration Medical Exam?
An immigration medical examination, commonly called an IME, is the medical assessment used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to determine whether a foreign national may be medically inadmissible to Canada.
The medical exam is separate from the eligibility and ranking stages of Express Entry . You do not need an IME merely to create an Express Entry profile or enter the pool. The medical requirement becomes relevant when you apply for permanent residence after receiving an Invitation to Apply.
IRCC assesses medical results in relation to Canada's medical admissibility rules. The examination is not a general test of whether someone is in perfect health, and having a medical condition does not automatically make a person inadmissible.
Under IRCC's current instructions, an Express Entry applicant who has never completed an IME should get an upfront medical exam after receiving an Invitation to Apply and before submitting the permanent residence application.
Who Needs a Medical Exam for Express Entry?
An immigration medical examination is a requirement for permanent residence. This requirement extends beyond the principal applicant.
IRCC states that family members must also undergo a medical examination even when they are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada.
| Person | Medical requirement |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | Medical requirement applies |
| Accompanying spouse or partner | Medical requirement applies |
| Accompanying dependent child | Medical requirement applies |
| Non-accompanying family member | Medical requirement generally still applies |
This is an important distinction from simply deciding which family members will receive permanent residence with the principal applicant. A person may be declared as non-accompanying and still be required to complete the immigration medical process.
When Should You Complete the Express Entry Medical Exam?
For Express Entry, IRCC's current permanent residence instructions require an applicant who needs a new IME to complete an upfront medical examination after receiving the Invitation to Apply but before submitting the permanent residence application.
You do not need to wait for IRCC to send a medical form before arranging an upfront Express Entry examination. Instead, you contact an approved panel physician directly.
After the examination, the panel physician provides proof that the IME was completed. This will generally be:
- an information printout sheet; or
- an IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form.
The applicable document is uploaded with the online permanent residence application.
IRCC recommends completing the medical exam as close as reasonably possible to the date you submit the online application because the results have a limited validity period.
What If You Already Had an Immigration Medical Exam?
A previous IME may be relevant if you already completed one for an earlier Canadian immigration application, such as a study permit or work permit application.
Under IRCC's current instructions, if you completed an IME within the previous five years and are currently living in Canada, you may not need to complete another medical exam when applying for permanent residence.
When submitting the Express Entry application, IRCC instructs eligible applicants to provide one of the following from the previous examination:
- the information printout sheet;
- the IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form;
- the previous IME number; or
- the unique medical identifier number.
If IRCC cannot use the previous medical results, it will provide instructions for completing a new medical examination after the application is submitted.
IRCC specifically advises applicants not to book more than one immigration medical examination appointment. If a previous IME may be reusable, review the current instructions before arranging another exam.
What Is the In-Canada Medical Exam Exemption?
IRCC currently has a temporary public policy that can exempt certain low-risk foreign nationals already in Canada from completing another immigration medical examination.
The measure has been extended until October 5, 2029.
IRCC states that a person may qualify if all of the applicable conditions are met, including that the person:
- has applied or is applying for permanent or temporary residence;
- already lives in Canada;
- completed a previous immigration medical exam within the last five years; and
- had previous IME results indicating low or no risk to public health or public safety.
Applicants relying on a previous IME should include the previous IME number or unique medical identifier with the new application.
The existence of the public policy does not mean every applicant in Canada is automatically exempt. IRCC can determine that the previous results cannot be reused and can instruct the applicant to complete another examination.
Who Can Perform an Express Entry Medical Exam?
The examination must be completed by a panel physician approved by IRCC.
Your regular family doctor cannot perform an immigration medical examination unless that doctor is separately authorized by IRCC as a panel physician.
IRCC maintains an official list of panel physicians by country and location. Applicants should use that list when selecting a physician rather than relying only on a clinic's general advertising.
The panel physician performs and submits the medical examination, but does not make the final immigration decision. IRCC assesses the results and determines whether further medical information is required and whether a medical inadmissibility issue exists.
What Should You Bring to the Medical Exam?
The panel physician's office should confirm its specific appointment requirements. IRCC's medical instructions generally identify documents and information such as:
- acceptable identification, normally including a passport where available;
- eyeglasses or contact lenses if you use them;
- medical reports, test results or prescriptions relating to existing or previous medical conditions;
- photographs if required by a clinic that does not use the eMedical system; and
- relevant vaccination records, if available.
IRCC specifically recommends bringing available medical reports, test results and prescriptions relating to previous or existing medical conditions because this information may help reduce processing delays.
Do you need an IRCC medical form for an upfront exam?
For an upfront Express Entry medical examination, IRCC states that it does not send you documents to take to the examination. You contact the panel physician directly.
What Happens During an Immigration Medical Exam?
The exact examination and any required investigations depend on factors such as age, medical history and the findings of the panel physician.
The immigration medical process can include a review of medical history, a physical examination and required laboratory or diagnostic testing.
The physician may also ask for further investigations where a medical history or examination finding requires additional information.
Applicants should provide complete and accurate medical information. The purpose is not to conceal a condition but to give IRCC the information needed to assess the person under Canada's medical admissibility rules.
Who pays for the medical exam?
Applicants are normally responsible for the costs of the immigration medical examination and related testing. Fees can vary between physicians and locations.
What Happens After the Medical Exam?
Once the examination is completed, the panel physician sends the medical results to IRCC for assessment.
For an upfront Express Entry examination, the physician also gives you a document confirming that the IME was completed. You upload that proof when submitting the permanent residence application.
You generally do not upload the physician's complete medical file or diagnostic results yourself. The panel physician transmits the medical information through the authorized medical process.
If IRCC requires more information, additional testing or another medical examination, it will contact the applicant.
Can you obtain a copy of your medical results?
IRCC advises applicants who want a copy of their medical examination results to ask the panel physician at the appointment. Medical reports and X-rays forming part of the IME are submitted as part of the immigration medical process.
How Long Is an Express Entry Medical Exam Valid?
IRCC states that immigration medical examination results are generally valid for 12 months.
For a person completing a new upfront IME for Express Entry, the results should be valid when the permanent residence application is submitted and when the person becomes a permanent resident.
If the medical validity expires before permanent residence can be finalized, IRCC may require another examination or provide further instructions.
The normal 12-month validity period is one reason IRCC recommends completing a new Express Entry IME as close as reasonably possible to the date the permanent residence application is submitted.
What Is Medical Inadmissibility?
The immigration medical examination allows IRCC to assess whether the applicant or a relevant family member may be inadmissible on health grounds under Canadian immigration law.
Medical inadmissibility can arise where a person's health condition is assessed as likely to:
- be a danger to public health;
- be a danger to public safety; or
- cause excessive demand on Canadian health or social services, where that ground applies.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically establish medical inadmissibility. The legal assessment depends on the condition, its expected effects and treatment, the applicable statutory and regulatory rules, and the individual evidence.
Danger to public health
IRCC may consider matters such as whether a condition is communicable and the potential impact on people in Canada. Certain conditions may require treatment, follow-up testing or medical surveillance.
Danger to public safety
IRCC can also assess whether a person's health condition could create a risk of sudden incapacity or unpredictable or violent behaviour that may endanger others.
Excessive demand
Where the excessive-demand ground applies, IRCC assesses the anticipated demand on publicly funded health or social services. This is an individualized assessment; a particular diagnosis does not automatically produce an excessive-demand finding.
The existence of an illness, disability or ongoing treatment does not by itself establish medical inadmissibility. Where IRCC has concerns, the applicant may receive further requests or a procedural fairness process before a final inadmissibility determination is made.
Can IRCC Request Additional Medical Tests?
Yes. Completing the initial immigration medical examination does not guarantee that the medical assessment is finished.
The panel physician or IRCC may require additional investigations where the initial examination, medical history, laboratory results or imaging identifies an issue requiring further assessment.
Applicants should follow the instructions provided by the panel physician or IRCC promptly. Delays in completing requested medical investigations can delay processing of the permanent residence application.
Medical surveillance
Some applicants may be required to undergo medical surveillance after arriving in Canada. IRCC identifies inactive tuberculosis as one circumstance in which medical surveillance may be required.
Medical surveillance is different from a finding that the permanent residence application must necessarily be refused. It is a public-health follow-up requirement.
Common Express Entry Medical Exam Mistakes
Using outdated Express Entry medical instructions
Express Entry medical procedures have changed over time. Applicants should follow the current IRCC instructions rather than relying on an older checklist, forum post or previous application procedure.
Completing the exam before receiving an ITA
Under the current Express Entry procedure, a new upfront IME should be completed after receiving the Invitation to Apply and before submitting the permanent residence application.
Going to a doctor who is not an IRCC panel physician
A regular medical examination from a family physician does not replace the required immigration medical examination unless that physician is an IRCC-approved panel physician.
Forgetting non-accompanying family members
IRCC states that family members must meet the medical requirement even when they are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada.
Booking another IME without checking a previous exam
Certain applicants living in Canada who completed an IME within the previous five years may qualify to have their previous medical results reused.
Assuming a previous IME will automatically be accepted
Providing an old IME number does not guarantee that IRCC can reuse the previous results. If the results cannot be used, IRCC may instruct the applicant to complete a new examination.
Completing a new exam too early
Medical results are normally valid for 12 months. Completing an unnecessary exam too early can increase the possibility that its validity expires before permanent residence is finalized.
Withholding medical history
Applicants should answer medical questions accurately and provide relevant records requested by the panel physician. Existing medical conditions should be assessed under the applicable legal rules rather than concealed.
Express Entry Medical Exam FAQs
Do I need a medical exam to create an Express Entry profile?
No. A medical exam is not required simply to create an Express Entry profile or enter the pool. It becomes part of the permanent residence process after an Invitation to Apply.
Do I need an upfront medical exam for Express Entry?
Under IRCC's current instructions, if you have never completed an immigration medical exam, you should complete an upfront IME after receiving your Invitation to Apply and before submitting your Express Entry permanent residence application.
Should I wait for IRCC to send me a medical form?
Not when completing a new upfront Express Entry medical exam under the current procedure. IRCC instructs applicants to contact an approved panel physician directly.
Can my family doctor perform the immigration medical exam?
Only if the doctor is an IRCC-approved panel physician. Otherwise, a medical examination by your regular doctor does not satisfy the IME requirement.
Do non-accompanying family members need medical exams?
Yes, the permanent residence medical requirement generally extends to family members even when they are not accompanying you to Canada.
I had a medical exam for my study or work permit. Do I need another one?
Possibly not. If you currently live in Canada and completed an IME within the previous five years, your previous results may be reusable under IRCC's current rules. Provide the previous IME information requested by IRCC. If the old results cannot be used, IRCC will provide further instructions.
How long is an Express Entry medical exam valid?
IRCC states that medical examination results are generally valid for 12 months.
What do I upload after an upfront medical exam?
The panel physician will provide an information printout sheet or an IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form. The applicable confirmation document is uploaded with the online application.
Does the panel physician decide whether I pass the medical exam?
No. The panel physician conducts the examination and submits the results. IRCC makes the immigration medical assessment and the final admissibility decision.
Can IRCC ask me to complete more medical tests?
Yes. Additional investigations can be required if IRCC or the medical process identifies an issue requiring further assessment.
Does having a medical condition mean my application will be refused?
No. A diagnosis does not automatically establish medical inadmissibility. IRCC must assess the individual facts under the applicable medical inadmissibility rules.
How long does the in-Canada previous-IME policy remain in effect?
IRCC has extended the current temporary public policy for eligible low-risk in-Canada applicants until October 5, 2029.
Express Entry medical procedures can change. Check IRCC's current permanent residence medical examination instructions before booking an exam, particularly if you previously completed an IME or currently live in Canada.
Medical Examination for Permanent Residence Applicants — IRCC