What Tests Are in An Immigration Medical Exam (and Why Are They Required?)
Immigration medical exams are an important step in applying to live in Canada as a permanent resident, student, visitor, or temporary worker. They provide immigration officials with key information about your health status that help them make responsible decisions about your case. As such, these exams must be thorough and check for a wide variety of potential health concerns. But what specific tests does an immigration medical exam involve?
Panel Physician has conducted countless immigration medical exams at our safe, clean locations in Toronto, Brampton, Scarborough, North York, and Oakville. Below, we’ll tell you what to expect when you come for an immigration medical exam at one of our clinics.
Questions about Your Medical History
One of the first things you’ll have to do in your immigration medical exam is provide details of your current and previous medical conditions. It’s vital to be honest and accurate about this information, since it will be verified while your case is being reviewed. If you have any medical reports regarding various conditions that you have been diagnosed with in the past, please bring them with you to your appointment.
It’s also important to provide details of any medication you might be taking (or have taken in the past). This information can help your panel physician ascertain whether you have a condition that might require you to use Canada’s healthcare system to access pharmaceutical products once you arrive.
Physical Check-Up
After your questionnaire has been completed, your panel physician will perform a number of non-invasive tests and take several measurements. These include:
Height & Weight
Measuring your height and weight gives your panel physician important details about your body composition, which are often indicators of fitness and general health.
Vision & Hearing
Testing your hearing and vision gives your panel physician important information about whether you might need glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, or other such devices to ensure your quality of life after entering Canada.
Heart Rate & Blood Pressure
Checking your pulse provides valuable data about your heart rate and rhythm, which are key signifiers of cardiovascular health. Blood pressure levels can indicate the presence of numerous conditions such as heart disease, heart attack risk, and the likelihood of a stroke.
Heart & Lungs
In addition to checking your pulse and blood pressure, your panel physician will listen to your heart and lungs to ensure they are healthy.
Abdominal Check
During your immigration medical exam, your doctor will press firmly on your abdomen in several places. This can tell them whether key organs are swollen or tender—either of which can be signs of disease.
Limb Movement
Your panel physician will ask you to move your limbs in different directions during your exam. This provides key information about your physical fitness and abilities and can alert the doctor to issues with joint function, muscle strength, and involuntary movements such as tics or tremors.
Skin Condition
The condition of your skin can tell your panel physician about infections, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and more.
Mental Examination
During your immigration medical exam, your panel physician will also assess your mental fitness. This is not an IQ test; rather, your doctor will be looking for evidence of psychiatric conditions that could cause sudden incapacitation or dangerous changes in your behavior after entering the country.
Possible Extra Tests
Many immigration medical exams also require X-rays or laboratory tests. X-rays are available on-site at most of our clinics. Please see our website for hours of operation and locations.
Chest X-Rays
Applicants older than 11 must undergo a chest X-ray as part of the immigration medical exam. These X-rays provide the panel physician with a detailed view of the heart, lungs, and ribcage, which can be used to verify findings from the physical examination or spot signs of conditions the physical examination cannot identify.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests for immigration medical exams may include:
Urinalysis: for applicants over 5 years old
Syphilis: for applicants over 15 years old
HIV: for applicants over 15 years old
Creatinine: for applicants over 15 years old
How to Prepare for Your Immigration Medical Exam
Arriving prepared for your immigration medical exam helps make the entire process smoother and easier. Before your appointment at Panel Physician, please ensure that you:
Bring your identification: we’ll need to verify who you are before conducting your exam. You will need to show your ID again before accessing chest X-ray or laboratory services.
Plan to be on time: showing up on time for your scheduled appointment will help ensure that you can be seen by a panel physician and reduce the likelihood of needing to reschedule, which could create delays in your overall application process.
Consider whether you want a chaperone: anyone receiving an immigration medical exam has the right to a chaperone at any stage in the process. You can change your mind during the exam, but it’s helpful to think about whether you want a family member or friend to be present with you during the exam ahead of time.
Understanding the steps involved and the tests required for your immigration medical exam can make you more comfortable and increase your confidence in the process. To learn more about booking and preparing for your immigration medical exam, contact Panel Physician now and speak with a member of our team.
