Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that starting August 21, 2025, immigrants seeking permanent residence will now be required to submit upfront medical exams for Express Entry applications.
The latest development is a reverse of the previous process, where applicants submitted their PR applications and awaited IRCC instructions for medical examinations.
The new rule mandates that all Express Entry applicants, including their family members (whether accompanying or not), complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with an IRCC-approved panel physician before submitting their PR application.
IRCC, in its explanation, said the demand for medical exams for Express Entry applications is to streamline processing and reduce delays.
The goal, according to IRCC, is to confirm medical admissibility early, minimizing late-stage refusals due to health concerns.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that to schedule an IME, applicants are required to view IRCC’s list of panel physicians, select the relevant country or territory, and contact a physician directly to book an appointment.
These exams typically cost $140 to $280 per person.
At the time of your medical exam, foreign nationals must pay for all related costs, such as
– The fee for the attending doctor or radiologist;
– Special tests, investigations, or treatments; and
– Any specialist visits.
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.
Also, the IRCC announced that when attending an IME, applicants are required to bring a list of current medications, any medical reports or results for previous/existing conditions, and proof of previous vaccinations—as well as identification (such as a passport or national identity card) and four recent photographs.
