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Medical exam for permanent resident applicants

Due to COVID-19, some panel physician offices may be closed.

If you would like to schedule an immigration medical examination (IME), contact the panel physician’s office to check that they’re open and performing exams.

If your application is in progress and you can’t complete your IME due to COVID-19, please provide

  • proof that a medical appointment is scheduled, including the name of the panel physician and the date and time of the appointment, or
  • a letter of explanation of your efforts to have the IME done

In-Canada applicants

We’ve put in place a temporary public policy for immigration medical exams (IMEs) until October 6, 2024.

If you completed an IME within 5 years of submitting your new application, include the IME number (or the unique medical identifier number) from your previous exam in your current application.

You may be exempt from completing another IME if you meet all of these conditions:

  • You applied, or are applying, for either permanent residence or temporary residence.
  • You already live in Canada.
  • You completed your previous IME in the last 5 years.
  • Your previous IME indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety.

If you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they’re not coming with you.

On this page

Who can do your exam

You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians. Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.

The panel physician doesn’t make the final decision about your medical exam. We make that decision. If there’s a problem with your medical exam, we’ll contact you in writing.

Find a panel physician to do your exam.

When to get your medical exam

Before you submit your application

If you’re applying under the Express Entry Program, you must do a medical exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam. To get one, contact a panel physician directly.

You can’t get an upfront medical exam if you’re being sponsored as a spouse, partner or child. Wait for our instructions before going for your medical exam. The instructions will be sent to you after you submit your complete application.

After you submit your application

We’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done. You must go for your medical exam within 30 days of receiving these instructions.

If you make a refugee claim at a port of entry, a Border Services Officer will tell you to get a medical exam within 30 days.

If you don’t follow these instructions, we may refuse your application.

What to bring

When you go to your appointment for the medical exam, you must bring:

  • proper identification – at least 1 government-issued document with your photograph and signature, such as a passport or national identity card
    • You may also use a Canadian driver’s license, but only in Canada
  • eye glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them
  • any medical reports or test results that you have for any previous or existing medical conditions
  • a list of your current medications
  • the Medical Report form (IMM 1017E), if you don’t get an upfront medical exam
    • We’ll send you this form
  • If the panel physician doesn’t use eMedical, you must bring 4 recent photographs. 
    • Contact the panel physician before your appointment to find out.

Bring any proof of previous vaccination for COVID-19, if you have one.

  • This is not mandatory.
  • The panel physician will include this record with your exam.

If you are referred for an x-ray or other tests, you may be asked to present your identification again when you go for those tests.

What you need to pay for

You must pay all fees related to the medical exam when you’re there, including:

  • the fee for the doctor or radiologist
  • any special tests, investigations or treatment needed
  • any specialists you need to see

If we refuse your application after your medical exam, we won’t refund those fees.

Refugees and asylum seekers are exempt from paying the fees.

What to expect during your exam

Only an approved panel physician can do a complete medical exam for immigration reasons.

When you arrive

The Panel Physician or clinic staff will ask you for identification to confirm your identity. If you are referred for an x-ray or other tests, you may be asked to present your identification again when you go for those tests. Your picture will also be taken for our records.

Medical history questionnaire

The doctor will fill out a medical history questionnaire with you. This questionnaire is about any previous or existing medical conditions. They’ll also ask you about any medications you’re taking.

It’s important to tell the panel physician about any previous or existing medical conditions. Processing your medical exam could take longer if you don’t.

Physical examination

You’ll undergo a physical exam.

The doctor or medical clinic staff will:

  • weigh you
  • measure your height
  • check your hearing and vision
  • take your blood pressure
  • feel your pulse
  • listen to your heart and lungs
  • feel your abdomen
  • check how your limbs move
  • look at your skin

The doctor or medical clinic staff won’t examine your genitals or rectal area. These parts of the body aren’t required for the immigration medical exam.

The doctor may need to examine your breasts. If they do, they will:

  • provide you with an explanation of why and how the examination is being done

Other possible tests

Depending on your age, you may be asked to do chest x-rays and laboratory tests at the clinic or a laboratory. This is routine screening and the doctor will discuss any abnormal results with you.

You may be referred to a specialist for more testing, depending on the results of your medical exam. Complete this request as soon as possible to avoid delays in the processing of your medical examination.

COVID-19 vaccination

The panel physician may offer you a Government of Canada-accepted COVID-19 vaccine if it is available. Vaccination is completely voluntary and is not required as part of your exam.

If you receive the COVID-19 vaccine during your exam, the panel physician will record it.

If you’ve already been vaccinated for COVID-19, even if you have only received 1 dose,

  • bring proof of your vaccination to your exam
    • proof can be a paper copy or an electronic version
  • the panel physician will record your proof of vaccination with your exam
  • keep a copy of the vaccination record given to you by the panel physician

Get more information on travel and COVID-19 vaccines:

Right to have a chaperone

You have the right to a chaperone at any time during the medical exam.

You may:

  • ask the medical clinic to have a staff member in the room
  • stop the exam at any time to ask questions about what the doctor is doing
  • stop the exam and ask for a chaperone, even if you refused one at first

If you have questions or feel uncomfortable with a part of the exam, please ask the panel physician to stop and tell them about your concerns.

After your exam is done

Once the exam is done, the physician will send us the results. The doctor will give you a document confirming that you had a medical exam. Keep this with you as proof of your medical exam.

If you’re unsatisfied with how the panel physician or panel radiologist did your medical exam, you may:

We welcome all compliments, comments or observations through our feedback form.

How to include your medical exam results with your application

If you had an upfront medical exam before sending in your application, then you must include a copy of the IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form with your application.

If the doctor works with eMedical, they’ll give you an information sheet print out to include with your application.

If you had your medical exam after submitting your application, you don’t need to send us anything.

How long your medical results are good for

Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months only. If you don’t come to Canada as a permanent resident within that time, you may need to have another exam.

Getting a copy of your medical exam

If you want a copy of your medical exam results, please ask the doctor when you’re there.

Medical reports and x-rays for the medical exam become our property. We cannot return them to you.

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