An Immigration Medical Exam (IME) is a health assessment required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure applicants are medically admissible to Canada and do not pose risks to public health or safety.
Who Needs an Immigration Medical Exam?
Permanent Residence Applications
All permanent residence applicants must complete an IME, including:
Express Entry candidates
Provincial Nominee Program applicants
Family class sponsorships
Refugees and protected persons
All other PR categories
Temporary Residence Applications
Study permits and work permits require an IME if you:
Plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, and
Have lived or traveled in a designated country/territory for 6 consecutive months in the year before coming to Canada
Designated Countries/Territories
IRCC maintains a list of countries and territories where an IME is required based on public health considerations. The list includes countries with higher prevalence of communicable diseases.
Check if you need an IME:
How to Complete Your Immigration Medical Exam
Step 1: Find a Panel Physician
Only panel physicians approved by IRCC can conduct immigration medical exams.
To find a panel physician:
Visit the official IRCC panel physician search: Find a panel physician
Select your country or territory of residence
View the list of approved panel physicians in your area
Use your browser's search function (Ctrl+F or Command+F) to find physicians in your city
Important considerations:
Not all panel physicians offer eMedical (electronic exam system)
If you prefer eMedical, confirm availability when booking
Some physicians require advance booking (book early to avoid delays)
Contact the panel physician directly to schedule your appointment
Step 2: Book Your Appointment
Call or email the panel physician to:
Schedule your exam appointment
Confirm the exam fee
Ask what documents to bring
Inquire about eMedical availability
Confirm any special instructions
Timing: Book your IME appointment as soon as possible after receiving medical exam instructions from IRCC or when preparing your application.
Step 3: Attend Your Medical Exam
The panel physician will:
Review your medical history
Perform a physical examination
Check your height, weight, blood pressure
Conduct vision and hearing tests
Order laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis)
Order chest X-rays (for applicants 11 years and older)
Request additional tests if medical concerns are identified
Exam duration: Typically 30-60 minutes, not including lab work or X-rays.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Required Documents
Government-issued photo identification:
Passport
Medical information:
List of current medications (names and dosages)
Medical reports or test results for existing conditions
Vaccination records (if available)
Previous medical history documentation
IRCC documents:
Medical Report Form (IMM 1017E) if provided by IRCC
Your application number or UCI (if applicable)
Medical exam instruction letter (if received)
If panel physician does NOT use eMedical:
4 recent photographs meeting IRCC specifications (photo requirements)
Other items:
Eyeglasses or contact lenses (if you wear them)
Payment for exam fees (check accepted payment methods)
Immigration Medical Exam Costs
IME costs vary by country and panel physician. Fees are paid directly to the panel physician and are not refundable, even if your application is refused.
Typical Cost Ranges
In Canada:
Adults: $400-$550 CAD
Children: $300-$550 CAD
Outside Canada:
Costs vary significantly by country
Typically range from $100-$400 CAD equivalent
Some countries may be lower or higher
What's included in the fee:
Physician's examination
Basic laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis)
Chest X-ray (if required)
Administrative processing
Additional costs may apply for:
Follow-up tests or specialist consultations
Treatment for conditions identified during exam
Additional X-rays or imaging
Medical documentation translation
Understanding Medical Assessments
Excessive Demand Exemptions
IRCC assesses whether an applicant's health condition might place excessive demand on Canadian health or social services (threshold: approximately $24,057 per year as of 2022).
Excessive Demand Exempt (EDE) applicants:
These applicants are not assessed for excessive demand:
Family class sponsored spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners
Dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Refugees and protected persons
Spouses, partners, and dependent children of refugees/protected persons
Non-EDE applicants:
All other applicants are assessed for both public health concerns and excessive demand.
Medical Assessment Results
After your exam, the panel physician submits results to IRCC's medical office. You typically will not receive your results directly; IRCC reviews them as part of your application.
Common Assessment Outcomes
Medically admissible:
No public health or safety concerns identified
No excessive demand on health or social services
Application proceeds without medical issues
Conditional entry with medical surveillance:
A health condition is present but manageable
You may be required to report to provincial health authorities periodically
Common for inactive tuberculosis requiring monitoring
Entry to Canada is granted with surveillance conditions
Medical inadmissibility:
Active communicable disease posing public health danger (e.g., active tuberculosis)
Health condition requiring treatment exceeding excessive demand threshold
Mental or physical condition posing danger to public safety
M4 – Inadmissible due to danger to public health (for example, active infectious tuberculosis).
If additional information needed:
IRCC may request follow-up tests or specialist reports
You will be notified through your application portal
Provide requested information promptly to avoid delays
Medical Assessment Codes
M1 – No public health risk or danger, no public safety danger and no excessive demand.
M2 – Potential risk to public health. Medical surveillance required. Conditional entry recommended if granted entry to Canada. For example, applicants may be a “risk” due to a communicable disease that may reactivate, such as inactive tuberculosis.
M3 – A health condition is present but is not expected to place an excessive demand on health or social services.
M4 – Inadmissible due to danger to public health (for example, active infectious tuberculosis).
M5 – Inadmissible due to excessive demand on health and social services. For all M5 codes, the medical officer will add a descriptive code indicating the nature of the excessive demand.
T9: For excessive demand on social services
H9: For excessive demand on health services
E9: For displacement of Canadians who are on a waiting list
M6 – Inadmissible due to danger to public safety (for example, psychopathic personality).
Surveillance Codes
There are times when IRCC grants conditional entry and the applicant may be required to be on a medical surveillance. Medical surveillance is conducted by the province. The individual maybe required to report to provincial health authorities at at given interval. Below are the surveillance codes:
S1 – No requirement for medical surveillance.
For M1 profiles, the surveillance code is set to S1 by default. For other medical profiles, the surveillance code S1 needs to be manually selected.
S2.01 – Applicant is inadmissible to Canada (active tuberculosis). Used in conjunction with the medical profile M4.
S2.02 – Medical surveillance required. Conditional entry recommended if granted entry to Canada (pulmonary tuberculosis inactive).
S2.02U – Medical surveillance required. Conditional entry recommended if granted entry to Canada (complex pulmonary tuberculosis inactive).
S2.06 – Applicant has complied with a medical surveillance requirement from a previous immigration medical exam (IME). No requirement for medical surveillance.
After Your Medical Exam
What Happens Next
Panel physician submits results to IRCC (usually within 3-10 business days)
IRCC medical office reviews your exam results
Assessment decision is made (medically admissible or not)
Results integrated into your overall application assessment
How to Check Status
For applications in process:
Log into your IRCC online account or GCKey to see medical results update as "Passed" or "Further assessment needed"
For represented clients - we will notify you of medical result updates
You will NOT receive:
Direct copies of your medical exam results
Detailed medical reports from the panel physician
Specific health information unless IRCC requests follow-up
If Medical Issues Are Identified
IRCC may request:
Additional medical tests or specialist consultations
Further documentation about your health condition
Treatment records or management plans
Furtherance letters explaining your medical situation
You must respond:
Within the deadline specified by IRCC (typically 30-60 days)
Provide complete and accurate medical documentation
Consult with medical professionals as needed
If inadmissible on medical grounds:
You will receive a procedural fairness letter explaining concerns
You have the opportunity to respond with additional information
Consider consulting an immigration lawyer or consultant
Important Reminders
✅ Only use panel physicians approved by IRCC; exams by other doctors are not accepted
✅ Book early to avoid delays in your application timeline
✅ Validity is 12 months from exam date; plan timing accordingly
✅ Bring your passport to the appointment
✅ Disclose all medical conditions honestly; non-disclosure can lead to refusal
✅ Pay fees directly to panel physician; fees are non-refundable
✅ Keep receipts from your medical exam for your records
✅ Respond promptly if IRCC requests additional medical information
✅ Medical surveillance does not prevent entry to Canada; it's a monitoring requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my regular doctor for the IME?
No. Only IRCC-approved panel physicians can conduct immigration medical exams.
How long does it take to get results?
Panel physicians typically submit results within 3-10 business days. IRCC review time varies by application type.
What if I have a chronic health condition?
Disclose all conditions honestly. Many chronic conditions do not result in medical inadmissibility, especially if well-managed.
Do I need an IME if I had one for a previous application?
Maybe not, if your previous IME is less than 12 months old and you're applying for a different permit. IRCC will advise if a new exam is needed.
What happens if I fail the medical exam?
You'll receive a letter explaining concerns and have an opportunity to provide additional medical information or undergo treatment.
Can I choose any panel physician from the list?
Yes, you can choose any IRCC-approved panel physician, though some may specialize in certain regions or have faster availability.