Visas to Canada: Medical Exams

Canada, like many other countries that welcome immigrants, international workers, and international students, requires all such individuals to undergo medical examinations before entering the country. This is done before issuing appropriate visas or permanent resident status to ensure that newcomers are physically fit to perform their work, do not pose a health risk to the Canadian population, and do not necessitate a significant amount of healthcare resources primarily intended for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

What exactly is a medical examination for Canadian immigration?

An immigration physical is conducted by a doctor who is part of the IRCC-approved panel. The purpose of the screening is to evaluate whether or not a person should be denied entry to Canada due to their health.

An IRCC-approved medical exam will involve a thorough physical examination, a medical history review, and any other testing your panel doctor deems necessary. You may be referred to a specialist if your primary care physician feels more investigation is warranted. The law states that you may attend with a chaperone if you choose.

The process is to Bring your health insurance details and any necessary identifying documents (such as a passport) with you (a list of the medications you are taking, eyeglasses, etc.). to get a physical exam. Medical examinations are not required before applying for certain Canadian immigration programs. Some organizations require a test as a part of the application process. Sometimes IRCC will give you a deadline by which you must complete the test.

Why is the medical exam required in Canada?

The major purpose of the immigration medical exam is to ascertain whether or not the applicant is in good enough health to enter Canada. An individual’s immigration application to Canada can be denied if they pose a risk to public safety or health or if their medical condition would burden the country’s healthcare system.

What constitutes medical inadmissibility in Canada?

One of the FAQ is how medical inadmissibility can be determined, and here are two reasons:

They endanger public health and safety in Canada.

Certain medical conditions, such as highly contagious ones, pose an unacceptable hazard to the health and safety of Canadian citizens.

They’ll strain Canada’s health and welfare systems.

Health and social services are universal to all Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible temporary workers. Suppose it is determined that a prospective immigrant will place an undue financial or administrative strain on Canada’s universal healthcare program or dramatically increase wait times for Canadians. In that case, they may be judged medically inadmissible. Included are candidates who have used Express Entry or a provincial nominee program.

After adjusting for inflation in 2018, the new annual excessive demand is slightly more than 20,000 Canadian dollars. If your medical costs are going to be higher than that, you may not be accepted.

It’s important to note that the excessive demand rule does not apply to refugees, protected persons, or their sponsored spouses, partners, and dependent children. Furthermore, certain students, workers, and visitors will be excluded from these criteria because many applications for temporary residence do not require this exam.

Conclusion

Before entering Canada, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may ask you to take a medical exam to determine your eligibility for permanent residency, work or study visa, or immigration. Workers, students, and visitors who wish to apply for permanent or temporary residence must take this exam.