Medical Exams
Do I need a medical exam?
Permanent resident and temporary resident (visitors, students, workers) applicants may be required to undergo a medical exam.
Please see the Citizenship and Immigration website for the medical exam requirements for different visa, permit, and immigration categories.
Where can I get a medical exam if I am applying …
… under the family class as a spouse, partner or dependent child?
If you are applying under the family class and being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child, then you should complete your medical examination before submitting your application. The medical examination form can be found in Appendix C of the information guide for your geographic region (PDF * 536 KB).
… under any other category?
Your own doctor cannot do the medical examination. The list of Designated Medical Practitioners will help you find a doctor authorized to perform the medical exam in your country, territory or region. Do not initiate any medical tests until you receive instructions and a personalized medical form from this office.
How long will my application take if I need a medical exam?
After a medical examination with the Designated Medical Practitioner, the results are sent to our medical office to review. The medical office then sends their assessment to our visa office.
For temporary resident (visitor, student, worker) applications, it normally takes 4 weeks after your medical examination before we will contact you regarding the next stage of your application.
For permanent resident applications, it normally takes 3 months after our medical office receives the medical examination results from the Designated Medical Practitioner before we will contact you regarding the next stage of your application. This is true only if you have already complied with our other requests (e.g. to submit other documents).
If you would like to check when our medical office received your medical examination results, contact your Designated Medical Practitioner to get the tracking number for the delivery. Check the delivery company’s website or phone them to confirm the date of the delivery.
For complicated cases or where additional medical information is required, the processing time for your medical assessment will be longer. You will be notified by our medical office if further medical information is required. The length of the delay will depend on the nature of the medical condition being investigated. Your Designated Medical Practitioner can explain further.
This office will not respond to case status enquiries within the processing times above. If you have not heard from us within these processing times, you can submit an enquiry for a case status update. Include:
- the name of the Designated Medical Practitioner you visited,
- the date of the medical exam,
- the tracking number of the package containing your medical examination results (contact your Designated Medical Practitioner for this information),
- the date that the delivery company delivered the package (contact the delivery company for this information),
- your full name and date of birth, and
- your application file number.
Can I have a medical exam done in advance to speed up my application?
No. Unless you are being sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependent child, do not initiate any medical tests until you receive instructions and a personalized medical form from this office. Only original forms stamped by the visa office and indicating a valid file number will be accepted by Designated Medical Practitioners. We cannot issue medical instructions or forms until we have received your complete application.
Your examination results are only valid for 12 months from the date of your initial examination. If you are not admitted to Canada within this time, you will be required to undergo another medical examination.
Can you fax my medical forms to me?
No, medical forms cannot be faxed to you. Only original forms stamped by the visa office will be accepted by Designated Medical Practitioners. We cannot issue medical instructions and forms until we have received your complete application.
I’m pregnant. Can I wait until after I give birth to take the medical exam?
No, you are still required to undergo a medical examination even if you are pregnant. However, certain parts of the examination may be postponed until after you give birth. You should discuss your options with the Designated Medical Practitioner examining you.
I will be doing a clinical clerkship or medical elective in Canada as a foreign healthcare student. Do I need a medical examination?
All foreign healthcare students need to have a medical examination. Read the section on healthcare students for instructions.
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