Canada introduces new medical examination rules for PR applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has will require upfront medical exams for applicants applying for permanent residence through Express Entry Program. Effective August 21, 2025, all Express Entry applicants must complete an upfront medical examination before submitting their permanent residence (PR) application.

All other applications

Previously, medical exams for permanent residence were taken only after an application was submitted and IRCC provided instructions. The new requirement aims to streamline processing and reduce overall application timelines.

Who is Affected?

• Express Entry applicants – Must complete an upfront medical exam before applying.
• Other PR applicants – No change. These applicants will still receive instructions from IRCC after submission and must complete the exam within 30 days.
• Applications submitted before August 21, 2025 – Not impacted by the change.

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About the Immigration Medical Exam (IME)

The IME must be conducted by an IRCC-approved panel physician. These medical exams typically cost $140 to $280 per person, excluding additional charges for specialist visits or extra tests.

The exam can include:

• The fee for the attending doctor or radiologist;
• Special tests, investigations, or treatments; and

An IME may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• A previous medical history examination (surgeries, treatments, chronic illnesses and more);
• A full-body physical examination, including the eyes, heart, lungs, and more;
• X-rays (such as chest x-rays to check for Tuberculosis);
• Blood and urine tests;
• Mental health assessment(s); and
• Immunization (vaccine) record check.

Applicants and all family members (accompanying or not) must meet Canada’s medical admissibility standards, meaning they must not pose a danger to public health or create excessive demand on health services (over $27,162 per year in healthcare costs).

Next Steps for PR Applicants

Candidates should book their medical exam in advance with a panel physician listed on the IRCC website. Those who have undergone an IME within the last five years for another visa type (such as a work or study permit) may be able to reuse results by providing their IME number, subject to IRCC approval.

Canada immigration department recommends preparing all required documents — including ID, photographs, vaccination records, medical reports, and a list of current medications — to ensure a smooth medical examination process.

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Source: canada.ca

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