Canada Immigration Update: Upfront Medical Exam Now Mandatory for Express Entry Applicants
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a major update for all Express Entry applicants, effective August 21, 2025. From now on, applicants must complete an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before submitting their permanent residence (PR) application.
This change is aimed at making the immigration process faster, smoother, and more predictable by removing delays caused by pending medical results.
Why has IRCC made this change?
Previously, many applicants submitted their PR applications first and were asked later to undergo medical exams. This created long processing times, backlogs, and uncertainty about medical admissibility.
By requiring medical exams upfront, IRCC intends to:
- Speed up the PR approval process.
- Reduce delays linked to medical assessments.
- Give applicants clarity earlier about whether they meet health requirements.
Who needs to complete a medical exam?
- All new Express Entry permanent residence applicants must undergo a medical exam before applying.
- The exam must be done by an IRCC-approved panel physician. Regular family doctors or non-approved clinics are not accepted.
Who may be exempt?
Some applicants do not need to repeat the medical exam. You may be exempt if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You are already living inside Canada.
- You completed a medical exam within the last five years.
- The results showed you were at low or no risk to public health and safety.
If you meet all these criteria, you may not be required to undergo another exam.
Cost of a medical exam in Canada
Medical exam fees vary slightly by clinic, but typical costs are:
- Children (0–14 years): CAD $140–150
- Adults (15–74 years): CAD $170–180
- Additional charges may apply for laboratory tests, X-rays, or specialist referrals.
Documents you must bring to the exam
When attending your medical appointment, ensure you bring the following:
- Passport or government-issued identification.
- Medical report forms if IRCC provided them.
- Four recent passport-sized photos (if the clinic does not use eMedical).
- Records of medical history and prescriptions (if applicable).
- Glasses or contact lenses (if applicable).
- Vaccination records (recommended).
What the medical exam includes
The immigration medical exam is not a complicated procedure, but it is thorough. It usually includes:
- A health history questionnaire.
- A physical examination (checking vision, hearing, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, and limbs).
- Blood and urine tests.
- Chest X-rays if required.
- Vaccination checks.
If the panel physician suspects any health issues, they may refer you to specialists or request additional tests.
Processing and validity
- The medical exam can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on required tests.
- Panel physicians submit results directly to IRCC through the eMedical system within about 10 days.
- Results are valid for 12 months only. If your medical exam expires before IRCC makes a final decision, you will need to complete another one.
Medical inadmissibility
Not every health condition results in refusal. However, IRCC considers medical inadmissibility if:
- The condition poses a risk to public health or safety.
- The condition creates an excessive demand on Canadian health or social services.
For 2025, IRCC defines “excessive demand” as medical and social service costs of more than $135,810 over 5 years (approximately $27,162 per year).
Key takeaway
If you are planning to apply for Express Entry, you should book your medical exam early with an IRCC-approved doctor. Submitting your medical exam results with your PR application will help avoid processing delays and give you a smoother pathway to permanent residency.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
