Medical examination requirements for temporary residents (Visitors, students and temporary foreign workers)

Determine if you need a medical examination

If the duration of your visit is six months or less:

Generally, no medical examination is required.

However, a medical examination is required if you intend to work in an occupation in which the protection of public health is essential. Please see Jobs for which you need a medical examination for more information.

If the duration of your visit is more than six months:

You will need a medical examination if:

  • you have resided or stayed temporarily for six or more consecutive months in one or more of the countries or territories listed here in the one year immediately preceding the date you sought entry into Canada. This applies even if you are a citizen of a country where you do not require a visa to enter Canada.
  • you are coming to Canada to work in an occupation in which the protection of public health is essential. See Jobs for which you need a medical examination for more information.
  • you are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.
  • you are applying online under the International Experience Canada initiative, please complete a Request for medical exam to submit with your application.

Jobs for which you need a medical examination

Depending on your intended occupation while in Canada, certain temporary foreign workers are required to undergo a medical examination. The following list provides examples of such occupations. This list is not all-inclusive.

  1. Occupations that bring you into close contact with people, namely:
    • workers in the health sciences field
    • clinical laboratory workers
    • patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
    • medical students admitted to Canada to attend university
    • medical electives and physicians on short-term locums
    • teachers of primary or secondary schools or other teachers of small children
    • domestics
    • workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly and the disabled
    • day nursery employees
  2. Agricultural workers from one of the countries listed here.

If you are uncertain about whether you need a medical examination, please contact the visa or immigration office where you are making, or have made, your application.

Plan your medical examination

If you are still uncertain about whether you need a medical examination, consult a visa office near you.

If you do need a medical examination, your visa office will provide you with instructions and a form with your assigned file number before you see a panel physician.

Your own doctor cannot do the medical examination. You must see a physician on Canada’s list of Panel Physicians.

Find a doctor