Who Needs An Immigration Medical Exam?
Summary of Key Points:
Immigration Medical Exams (IMEs) provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with vital information about the health of most people applying to live and work in Canada.
Most newcomers to Canada need IMEs as part of their immigration process. There are only a few exceptions (including most visitors staying for less than 6 months).
Only an approved Panel Physician clinic can perform an Immigration Medical Exam. To book your exam with an approved physician who can send your results directly to the appropriate immigration officials, contact Panel Physician today.
Immigration medical exams (IMEs) provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with vital information on the health status of prospective newcomers to Canada—but why are these exams required, and does everyone coming to Canada need them?
At Panel Physician, we perform convenient and reliable Immigration Medical Exams for PR applicants of all kinds, plus visitors, students, and temporary workers coming to Canada. Our experience with these exams has made us experts on who needs them, why, and when—so let us help you understand the requirements below and learn what you’ll need to know before setting up your appointment at one of our locations!
What Is the Immigration Medical Exam & Why Does It Matter?
IMEs consist of:
A medical questionnaire
A non-invasive physical examination
Chest x-rays (for patients over 11 years old)
Lab tests (specific tests may vary depending on several factors)
These exams help immigration officials understand whether you have any conditions that could make you a health or safety risk once you start living in Canada, and whether the healthcare system here can reasonably accommodate your needs.
IMEs must be conducted by a government-approved Panel Physician—they can’t be performed by your family doctor or GP. Through our clinic, getting an IME is convenient and easy. All required tests for your Immigration Medical Exam can be conducted on the same day at any of our locations.
Why Are Immigration Medical Exams Important?
IMEs are an important part of the immigration process for several reasons. These include:
Providing Key Details About Your Health Status
The main purpose of the IME is to collect essential information about your health that will help immigration officials make an informed decision about your capacity to live in Canada. The information collected during your IME is sent directly by Panel Physician to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada via eMedical so that your personal data remains protected.
Public Health Screening
IMEs also help verify that you are not inadmissible to Canada for medical reasons. Examples of medical reasons that might make someone inadmissible to Canada include:
Posing a Danger to Public Health
Individuals who pose a potential danger to public health include those with certain infectious diseases (including tuberculosis and active syphilis). Diseases that could severely impact the health of other Canadians can create grounds for medical inadmissibility.
Posing a Danger to Public Safety
People who pose a danger to public safety include those with conditions that could cause them to display violent or dangerous behaviour, as well as those at risk of sudden incapacitation (i.e. sudden loss of physical or mental abilities that could prove dangerous when performing tasks like driving vehicles or operating other heavy machinery).
Placing Excessive Demand on Health or Social Services
Conditions that place unreasonable strain on Canada’s public health and social services can also make a person medically inadmissible to immigrate. Individuals who need treatments that would create delays in wait times for services fall into this category, as do individuals whose needed treatments exceed the excessive demand cost threshold. Read more about this amount and how it is determined on the Government of Canada’s website.s health history that you may have.
Is Anyone Exempt from Needing an Immigration Medical Exam?
An IME is required for most newcomers to Canada, but there are a few exceptions. Below is a list of people who are not required to take an Immigration Medical Exam when coming to Canada:
Short-Term Visitors
People coming to Canada for less than 6 months generally do not need to take an Immigration Medical Exam. This doesn’t apply to PR applicants and usually does not apply to students or temporary workers—but brief visitors who will not be doing any kind of work requiring a medical exam typically fall into this category.
Most other people applying to live in Canada need to take an IME—for their own benefit as well as for the health and safety of others. After all, it’s important to make sure that you’re able to access the care and services you need to enjoy your life in Canada as well!
Hassle-Free Booking for Your Immigration Medical Exam
Now that you know how essential IMEs are for most people coming to live, work, or study in Canada, it’s time to start planning your exam with an approved Panel Physician who can perform it in a safe, welcoming environment and submit your results quickly and accurately!
Reach out to Panel Physician now to book your appointment at any one of our convenient and accessible locations in the Greater Toronto Area.
