Starting August 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will require all Express Entry permanent residence applicants to submit their immigration medical exam (IME) results with their application.
Currently, medical exams are requested after submission. This change means candidates must complete the process before applying. Applications filed before the deadline will follow the old procedure. Other permanent residence streams are not affected.
Medical Admissibility Rules
All applicants and their family members must be medically admissible, even if family members are not moving to Canada. Inadmissibility can occur if a health condition:
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Is expected to cost more than $27,162 CAD per year in healthcare services; or
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Poses a public health risk (e.g., certain infectious diseases).
Chronic but well-managed conditions, like controlled diabetes, generally have a lower risk of refusal.
Immigration Medical Exam Process
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Must be done with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
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Costs typically range from $140–$280 per person.
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Includes medical history review, physical exam, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, mental health check, and vaccination review.
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Applicants should bring ID, recent photos, vaccination records, and any relevant medical reports.
Those in Canada who completed an IME within the last five years can provide their previous IME number. If results are outdated, IRCC will request a new exam.
Tip: Book your medical exam early with an approved doctor to avoid delays in your Express Entry application.
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