Canada, like many other nations that admit immigrants, overseas workers, and students, requires all individuals entering the country to undergo medical examinations. This ensures that newcomers are physically fit to perform their work, do not pose a health risk to the Canadian population, and do not require a significant amount of healthcare resources primarily intended for Canadian citizens and permanent residents before granting appropriate visas or permanent residence status.
What exactly is a medical examination for Canadian immigration?
Immigration medical exams are administered by panel physicians recognized by the IRCC. The examination evaluates if a person should be denied entry to Canada based on medical concerns.
An IRCC-approved medical exam will include a medical history questionnaire, a physical examination, and any other necessary tests by your panel physician. Your physician may dispatch you to a specialist if additional information is required. You can legally bring an adult chaperone with you on your scheduled visit.
Bring the proper identification with you, such as a passport and/or other forms of government-issued ID, as well as health information (a list of the medications you are taking, eyeglasses, etc.). to your medical appointment. Some Canadian immigration programs permit applicants to complete their medical examination before applying. Others need applicants to pass a test. In rare situations, the IRCC will give you a deadline on how long does a medical exam for immigration take.
Why is the medical exam required in Canada?
The primary purpose of the immigration medical exam is to evaluate whether an individual is medically suitable to enter Canada. If a person poses a threat to public safety or health, or their medical condition would burden the Canadian healthcare system, their immigration application may be denied.
What constitutes medical inadmissibility in Canada?
There are two reasons for you to learn more about why an individual could be deemed medically inadmissible:
They endanger public health and safety in Canada.
Certain conditions, such as severely contagious diseases, can harm the health and safety of Canadian citizens, hence rendering the infected individual medically inadmissible.
They’ll strain Canada’s health and welfare systems.
Canadians, permanent residents, and some temporary residents have universal access to health and social services. Immigration applicants may be judged medically inadmissible if it is determined that they will be a financial burden on Canada’s free healthcare system or that their presence will significantly influence Canadians’ wait times. This pertains to applicants using the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Following a change in 2018, the threshold for excessive demand has been raised to slightly over CAD 20,000 per year, which is almost three times the previous threshold. You may be medically ineligible if you require medical treatment exceeding this amount.
The excessive demand rule does not apply to immigrant-sponsored wives, partners, dependent children, refugees, or protected persons. In addition, because many temporary residency applications do not require this exam, certain students, workers, and visitors will not be subject to these admission requirements.
Conclusion
If you intend to become a permanent resident of Canada, receive a work or study visa, or immigrate there, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may require you to undergo a medical exam before arrival. This test is necessary for the majority of permanent and temporary residence applications, including those from workers, students, and visitors.
