When applying for permanent resident immigration status in Canada, you will be required to undergo medical tests as stipulated by the Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All applicants and their family members must undergo an immigration medical exam even if they won’t be immigrating with you. The IRCC relies on the exam to identify cases of medical inadmissibility and takes into consideration the nature and severity of the health condition before issuing a final verdict on whether the applicant can get permanent resident immigration status or not. This guide covers everything to know about the Canadian Medical Exam for PR.
Who Needs A Canadian Medical Exam for PR?
Permanent residency applicants seeking to immigrate to Canada must take an immigration medical exam. Accompanying spouses, common-law partners, and children must undergo similar tests, even those who will not accompany you to Canada. All visa applicants, including temporary residents such as visitors and live-in caregivers, must also take a medical exam.
Who Can Conduct the Canadian Medical Exam for PR?
IRCC registered panel physicians only administer medical exams for permanent residency. Visit the IRCC website or check in with your immigration officer on where to get an immigration exam in your home country. Click here to book your online immigration exam with Ontario Medical Examiners.
Medical Exams Required to Immigrate to Canada
Physical Exam
The panel physician will administer a thorough physical examination to check for major health issues. This includes a check-up for your lungs, heart, nose, eyes, and other crucial functional organs. You can expect the clinical staff to weigh you, measure your height, take your blood pressure and examine your skin.
Chest X-Rays
Chest X-Rays are required to determine persisting health issues that might be affecting the applicant’s crucial systems. However, Pregnant women can skip X-Rays, but they will need to have them taken after the child’s birth.
Physical Exam
Blood tests are mandatory when applying for permanent residency in Canada. The panel physician will conduct the blood drawing and send the sample to a certified lab for thorough testing. This helps identify inadmissible health conditions such as active TB and untreated HIV and Syphilis.
Urine Tests
The panel physician will issue a urine test whereby a urine sample is sent to a lab for various tests. Urine tests often identify major health problems such as diabetes.
Who Can Be Exempted From Taking an Immigration Medical Exam?
In-Canada PR applicants are exempted from completing another immigration medical exam if they have already resided in Canada and have completed a prior medical exam within the last five years. The exemption is only applicable to applicants who pose no risk to public safety or the public health system as determined by an IRCC medical officer.
What to Bring During the Immigration Medical Exam for Permanent Residency
You will have to provide proper identification documents to the panel physician before the immigration medical exam can begin. Make sure you have at least one government-issued document with your signature and photograph on it. This includes national identity cards, passports, or a Canadian driver’s license if you are already in Canada.
Remember to carry any medical reports and test results detailing previous and existing medical conditions. If you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, you will have to wear them to the exam.
PR visa applicants should also bring the medical report form that IRCC issues. If you don’t have one already, the panel physician will help you secure one.
Enquire with the panel physician if the clinic uses eMedical if they don’t, you will have to bring four recent portrait photographs of yourself.
PR Immigration Medical Exam Costs
Permanent residence immigration medical exams costs vary depending on the clinic. However, you can expect to pay an upfront fee for the panel physician and a radiologist fee where applicable. Additional tests, treatment, and investigations will also be charged out of your pocket, and you will need to settle any specialist fees that might arise. Take note that these costs are non-refundable whether or not your application is successful. Asylum seekers and registered refugees are exempted from paying these fees if they are already in Canada.
Wrap Up
To qualify for permanent residency in Canada, you will have to prove that you don’t pose health risks to the Canadian public and that neither you nor your family members can place excessive demand on Canadian health and social systems. Get in touch with our clinic, and we will guide you through the tests application evaluation and conduct a timely immigration medical exam for your permanent residency application.