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 and your dependants are inside Canada

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), 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 or
• IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form

Please provide a copy of one of these documents, your IME, or unique medical identifier number from your previous medical exam when you apply online. It does not matter how long ago you had your exam.

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 the exam before you apply or as close as possible to the date you submit your online application.

When the panel physician completes the medical exam, they will give you an

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

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

If you and your dependants are outside of Canada

Don’t get your medical exam as soon as you get your invitation to apply.

We will send you a form telling you when and how to get a medical exam.

When you apply online, you must submit a letter of explanation in your document checklist instead of your immigration medical exam (IME). In the letter, you must indicate that the primary applicant or the accompanying dependants of the primary applicant are outside Canada.

If you have undergone a medical exam as part of an application in another category and/or if you have completed an IME in the 12 months before you apply, you can submit a copy of the information printout sheet or the IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form in your application.

An IRCC officer may still require a new IME.