Medical exams for Express Entry

An immigration medical exam (IME) from a panel physician is required as part of your permanent residence application. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they aren’t coming with you.

If you have already completed an IME

If you have already completed an IME as part of a previous application (for example, to work or study), and currently living in Canada, you may not need to complete another one when you apply for permanent residence.

When the panel physician completed your exam they would have given you an

• information printout sheet and
• IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form

Please provide a copy of these documents, or your IME number (or unique medical identifier number) from your previous medical exam when you apply online.

If we cannot use your old results, we’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done after you submit your application.

If you have never completed an IME

If you have never completed an IME before, you should complete your medical exam after you get your invitation to apply. The results of your exam must be valid when you

• submit your application for permanent residence, and
• receive permanent residence in Canada

For this reason, it is a good idea to complete the exam as close as possible to the date you submit your online application.

We don’t send you any documents to take the exam. To get one, contact a panel physician directly. When the panel physician completes the medical exam, they will give you an

• information printout sheet
• IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form

When you apply online, you will need to provide both documents.

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, some panel physician offices may be closed or have limited appointment availabilities. If you are having difficulty getting your IME completed before you apply, 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

Important information: Don’t book more than one IME appointment. Only travel to the nearest panel physician for your appointment.

We won’t approve your permanent resident application if your health

• is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety
• would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada