Upfront medical exams no longer required of Express Entry applicants

Instead, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is asking Express Entry applicants to wait for instructions before going for a medical exam.

IRCC instructions for Express Entry applicants who completed a medical exam

If Express Entry applicants have previously completed an Immigration Medical Exam, IRCC will ask them to include a copy in the pre-existing upload field for IMEs (Immigration Medical Exams). Many newcomers must do a medical exam in order to obtain a work or study permit, for example.

IRCC says if you have already completed a medical exam and are still living in Canada you may not need to complete another one when you apply for permanent residence.

However, provide the documents you received from the panel physician who completed your exam, including:

• information print out sheet
• IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form

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

If IRCC cannot use your old results, they will send you instructions on how to do your medical exam after you submit your application for permanent residence.

IRCC instructions for Express Entry applicants who never completed a medical exam

If you’re applying for immigration through Express Entry and you have never completed an IME, IRCC says to:

• upload a blank document in the upload field of the Express Entry Profile Builder when submitting your application, and
• wait for IRCC to send you further instructions on when to get your medical exam.

IRCC won’t approve your permanent resident application if it determines you are medically inadmissible. That would mean it has assessed that an applicant’s health is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety, or it would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada.

Applications received before October 1 require a medical exam

If you have already applied for Express Entry, or you plan to before October 1, then you need to provide the medical examination confirmation up front. It must be valid at the time of the application. Immigration Medical Exams are typically valid for 12 months.

In exceptional circumstances, IRCC may accept proof that you have scheduled a medical appointment, or a letter of explanation describing your best efforts—however—these alternatives are not going to guarantee acceptance from an IRCC officer.

If you’re interested in moving to Canada but not sure which program you may be eligible for, check your eligibility for more than 20 Canadian immigration programs by taking Moving2Canada’s free Canada Immigration Quiz.