Medical exam
How can I find a doctor to do my immigration medical exam?
Only a doctor we have approved can do the immigration medical exam. This doctor is known as a panel physician.
Use our list of approved panel physicians to find one closest to you. You cannot use your family doctor if their name is not on this list.
Other things you should know about panel physicians and the exam:
- You can choose a panel physician anywhere in the world, even in a different country from where you live.
- You must pay for the medical exam. The cost can differ from one doctor to another.
- Find out what you need to bring to your medical exam when you make an appointment with the panel physician.
Find out more about medical exams.
Why do I need a medical examination?
You need to have a medical exam if you’re planning to:
- visit for more than 6 months
- work in healthcare or with children or
- apply for permanent residence
It’s important for the public health of Canadians, and helps prevent the spread of diseases.
If you’re visiting for less than 6 months, you don’t need one.
Learn more about medical exams.
How is the processing time affected if I need a medical exam?
If you’re applying as a permanent resident or temporary resident (visitor, student or worker), you can usually check the status of your medical exam results within 30 days of the date you booked your exam.
Once the status of your medical exam results is updated and shows up as completed, we’ll tell you what to do next.
You asked me for additional medical information. How will this affect the processing time?
Each case is different. The amount of time it takes us to process your application depends on the medical condition and on the request.
To avoid more delays, you must
- go back to see the physician
- complete the requirement before we can assess your medical exam
Don’t complete a new medical exam unless we instruct you to do so.
Your panel physician can explain how long it will take to complete additional testing or treatment.
Once you complete the requirement, we’ll tell you what to do next.
Learn more about medical exams.
How can I check the status of my medical exam results?
The way to check the status of your medical exam results depends on how you applied.
If you applied online
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If you applied to immigrate through Express Entry or to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children
You can check the status of your results in your application status tracker.
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If you applied to any other program
You can check the status of your results in your IRCC secure account.
Sign in to your IRCC secure account.
- If you don’t already have an account, you can create one and link it to your existing application.
- Make sure you link your account to the application that needed a medical exam.
- Find out which applications you can link to an IRCC secure account.
The status of medical exam results in your account may show an inaccurate validity date.
If you applied on paper
You can check the status of your application, including your medical exam results, using the check your application status tool.
When to check the status of your results
If we asked you for a medical exam after you applied
You may not see the status of your results updated right away.
- Your results usually show up in your account within 30 days of the date you booked your exam.
- It may take longer (for example, if we need more information from you).
If you got your medical exam before you applied (upfront medical exam)
You may not see the status of your results updated in your account until we finish processing your immigration application. We need time to
- process your application
- link the results to your application
If we ask or if a panel physician asks you for additional medical information, tests or treatment
To avoid more delays, you must
- go back to see the physician
- complete the requirement before we can assess your medical exam
Don’t complete a new medical exam unless we instruct you to do so.
Your panel physician can explain how long it will take to complete additional testing or treatment.
When to contact us
Use the web form to tell us if
- we asked you for a medical exam after you applied
- it’s been over 3 weeks since you had your exam
- your results do not show up in your account
Can I have a medical exam done in advance to speed up my application?
Some temporary residence programs allow you to get your medical exam done at any time.
If you’re applying for permanent residence, we’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam.
Find more information on when to get your medical exam for
I’m pregnant. Can I wait until after I give birth to take the medical exam?
No. You still need to have a medical exam even if you’re pregnant.
However, some parts of the exam may be postponed until after you give birth. In that case, your application will be assessed only after all mandatory medical requirements are met.
You should discuss your options with the panel physician performing your medical exam.
I have applied for permanent residence. My spouse or partner and children are not coming with me. Do they need to get a medical exam?
Yes. All of your dependants must have a medical exam done by an approved panel physician, regardless of whether or not they’re coming with you to Canada.
All your dependants must have a medical exam done to make sure they’re admissible to Canada. They must be admissible to be able to be sponsored in the future.
Having inadmissible dependants might make you inadmissible for permanent residence.
Learn more about medical exams.
I want to work in a job that requires a medical exam, but I already have my work permit or authorization. What do I do?
Ukrainian nationals and their family members in Canada
If you need to apply for a work permit, extend your work permit or remove the conditions on it, follow these special instructions.
Who are these instructions for?
You can use the instructions on this page if one of these cases applies to you:
- You got a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction for an open work permit.
- You got a POE letter of introduction for a study permit that will allow you to work on or off campus during your studies.
- You already have an open work permit or a work authorization on your study permit and you didn’t get a medical exam, but you want to be able to work in a job that requires a medical exam.
If you haven’t left your country of residence yet
You must
- get an upfront medical exam
- An exam is considered “upfront” if you get it before a migration officer asks you to.
- bring proof that you’ve had a medical exam and give it to the border services officer when you enter Canada
- The proof you need is the printed “information sheet” you’ll get from the panel physician who performed the medical exam.
The border services officer will then be able to adjust the conditions of your work or study permit before giving it to you.
Make sure your medical exam results have been updated
The results of your medical exam may not appear in the system right away. The migration officer must see the results in the system before giving you the new work or study permit. Exam results are usually processed within 30 days. However, the processing sometimes takes longer. If you want to confirm that your results are in the system, you can contact your migration office through our web form.
If you’re already in Canada
If you’re in Canada, you have an open work permit or a work authorization on your study permit, and you want to lift the job restrictions, you must
- get an upfront medical exam
- An exam is considered “upfront” if you get it before the case processing centre asks you to.
- include a short letter that explains why you need the restriction removed (to work in a job that requires an exam)
- If you are applying online, include this letter when you are asked to upload your documents.
If you’re a work permit holder, you must
- submit an application to change your work permit conditions, with all the required documents
- On the IMM 5710 form, for 1 a) under “Details of intended work in Canada”, select “Other”.
- Also on the IMM 5710 form, for 1 b) under “Other”, write that you need the conditions removed (not authorized to work in childcare, primary/secondary school teachings, health service field occupations).
If you’re a study permit holder, you must
- apply to change your study permit conditions
- On the IMM 5709 form, check the box next to Apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit and fill out the rest of the required fields.
Employer-specific work permit holders
If you want to work in a job that requires a medical exam, you must apply for a new work permit.
Note: If you’re applying under International Experience Canada (IEC), you must follow the IEC instructions.
I think I’m exempt, why are you asking me for a medical exam?
We may need a medical exam from you to assess your application, even if you only:
- lived in certain countries and territories for less than 6 months, or
- will be in Canada for less than 6 months.
If you need one, 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, or we may refuse your application.
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