Permanent residence
Immigration medical exam in Canada: who needs one, and when
PR applicants and all family members, stays over 6 months, public-health jobs, super visa, and the in-Canada exemption extended to October 2029.
"Do I need a medical exam, and when?" The answer depends on what you're applying for, how long you'll stay and, sometimes, what job you'll do. Get the timing wrong and you either pay for an exam too early or miss a 30-day deadline. Here is the situation-by-situation answer, based on IRCC's medical exam pages checked on October 17, 2026.
Situation 1: you're applying for permanent residence
You need an immigration medical exam (IME), and so do your family members, even if they aren't coming with you. The timing depends on the program:
- Express Entry: after you receive your invitation, before you submit your application. Contact a panel physician directly. With 60 days to apply, book early: see our 60-day plan after an invitation.
- Every other PR application, including spousal and child sponsorship: wait for IRCC's instructions after you submit a complete application, then do the exam within 30 days. Not following the instructions can lead to a refusal.
Situation 2: you're coming as a visitor, student or worker
| Your stay | You need an exam if… |
|---|---|
| 6 months or less | You'll work where public health must be protected: health care, clinical labs, long-term care, primary and secondary schools, child care, in-home care of children, seniors or people with disabilities, and similar jobs; or you're an agricultural worker who spent 6 consecutive months or more in a designated country in the year before coming |
| More than 6 months | You lived or stayed in a designated country or territory for 6 consecutive months or more in the year before coming; or you'll work in one of those public-health jobs; or you're applying for a super visa |
For temporary applications, IRCC recommends an upfront exam before you apply. Parents and grandparents applying for a super visa always need one.
Situation 3: you're already in Canada and had an exam recently
A temporary public policy, extended until October 5, 2029, may exempt you from a new exam if all of these apply: you're applying (or have applied) for permanent or temporary residence, you already live in Canada, your previous IME was within the last 5 years, and it showed low or no risk to public health or safety. Enter your previous IME number (unique medical identifier) in the new application.
Who does the exam, and what it costs
Only a panel physician on IRCC's list can do it; your family doctor can't. You pay everything at the appointment: the physician or radiologist, any tests and specialists. These fees aren't refunded if your application is refused. The physician doesn't decide your case: IRCC does, and writes to you if there's a problem.
Bring this
- Valid ID (IRCC strongly recommends your passport).
- Glasses or contact lenses.
- Medical reports or test results about past or current conditions, and a list of your medications.
- Form IMM 1017E or IMM 1020E if IRCC sent you one (not for an upfront exam).
- Four recent photos if the clinic doesn't use eMedical; ask first.
- Vaccination records (optional but recommended).
Expect a medical history questionnaire, a physical exam and, depending on your age, a chest X-ray and lab tests. If you're referred to a specialist, go quickly: the whole file waits for it. IRCC notes that leaving out a past or current health problem can make the process longer.
How long results last
Results are valid for 12 months. If you don't land as a permanent resident within that time, you may need a new exam. If you can't get an exam at all (exceptional circumstances, no panel physician in your area), send IRCC an explanation letter through its web form.
If a health condition worries you, read about medical inadmissibility, then describe your situation or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get the exam before I apply for sponsorship?
No. For sponsorship and most PR programs other than Express Entry, wait for IRCC's instructions, then do it within 30 days.
My spouse stays abroad. Do they need an exam?
For a permanent residence application, yes: family members need an exam even if they don't come with you.
Are vaccines required?
Proof of vaccination isn't mandatory. The physician may offer vaccines; with your consent, they record them and send the information to IRCC.
Official sources
Official pages consulted on October 17, 2026:
- IRCC — Medical exams for permanent residents
- IRCC — Medical exams for visitors, students and workers
More in this series
- Canadian permanent residence: start with where you will live
- Arrima explained: what happens after your PSTQ expression of interest
- Bridging open work permit: how to keep working while your permanent residence is processed
- Canadian Experience Class requirements: a checklist, and the Quebec rule
- Canadian Experience Class: how IRCC really counts your 1,560 hours
- Express Entry draws: how to read a round of invitations
About this guide
Written for Visa Canada Rouge, a Montreal immigration consultancy led by Moadh Rahmaoui, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB, licence R534941, listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration requirements, fees and processing times change often: check them on the official websites (canada.ca, quebec.ca) when you apply. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Every file is different.
This guide covers the general rules. To find out what applies to you, talk to a regulated consultant.