Canada Updates List of Countries Requiring Immigration Medical Exams for Temporary Residence Applicants
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its list of countries and territories that require an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) for individuals applying for temporary residence. This latest update adds four new countries to the list while removing six, marking an important change for many applicants planning to enter Canada for work, study, or family visits.
The revised policy will apply to all applications submitted on or after November 3, 2025. Any application received before this date will continue to be processed under the previous list.
Key Updates in the IME List
Countries Newly Added (IME Now Required):
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Countries Removed (IME No Longer Required):
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Iraq
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Taiwan
These changes reflect IRCC’s ongoing efforts to align medical screening requirements with global public health data, regional health risks, and the evolving mobility patterns of temporary residents.
Who Must Complete an Immigration Medical Exam
Temporary residence applicants are required to complete an IME if any of the following conditions apply:
- You plan to stay in Canada for more than six months, and within the past year, you lived in or visited one or more countries on the IME-required list for six consecutive months or more.
- You are applying for a Parent or Grandparent Super Visa.
- You intend to work in a job or industry that requires the protection of public health, such as healthcare, education, or caregiving.
Occupations Requiring IMEs (Regardless of Country of Origin)
Certain professions demand a mandatory medical exam even if you are not from an IME-listed country. These include:
- Healthcare professionals, medical students, and clinical laboratory workers
- Patient attendants in nursing homes or geriatric facilities
- Teachers and workers in primary or secondary schools or child-care centers
- Domestic caregivers for children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities
- Daycare and nursery employees
- Agricultural workers who have lived or traveled in IME-listed countries
If your occupation involves direct or prolonged contact with people, or could impact public health, IRCC will typically require an IME before you are approved to work or study in Canada.
Who Is Exempt
Applicants generally do not need to complete an IME if:
- They plan to stay in Canada for less than six months, and
- They will not work in a public-facing or health-related occupation.
However, IRCC retains the right to request an IME in any case where there are potential public health concerns.
Temporary Public Policy (Valid Until October 5, 2029)
Under the current public policy, applicants may be exempt from completing a new IME if they:
- Have applied for permanent or temporary residence;
- Are currently living in Canada;
- Completed an IME within the past five years; and
- Their previous IME results indicated no risk to public health or safety.
This measure aims to streamline applications and reduce redundancy for repeat applicants.
About Immigration Medical Exams
There are two types of IMEs conducted by IRCC-approved panel physicians:
- Standard Medical Exam – Full medical evaluation for long-term or high-risk applicants.
- Streamlined Medical Exam – Simplified version for low-risk applicants or extensions.
Applicants receive medical instructions directly from IRCC after submitting their application, including timelines and exam details. Only panel physicians approved by IRCC can perform these exams.
What This Means for Applicants
This policy update underscores Canada’s focus on balancing public health safety with efficient immigration processing. Temporary residence applicants are strongly encouraged to:
- Verify if their country is on the updated IME list (effective November 3).
- Check whether their occupation requires an IME.
- Book appointments only with IRCC-approved panel physicians.
- Ensure medical results are valid and recent before submitting their application.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
