You and your dependants, regardless of whether they will be accompanying you to Canada or not, must undergo and pass a medical examination before you can be granted permanent resident status in Canada. This also includes dependent children in joint or sole custody of one parent (divorced or separated).
Generally, the visa office will provide you with the medical examination procedures and medical examination forms in writing when your application for permanent residence under process. You will also be provided with a list of Designated Medical Practitioners (DMP) in you area of residence.
1. When you receive the medical forms and instructions from the visa office, make an appointment with one of the DMPs in your area.
2. Take the medical instructions and forms with you to the DMP. Follow the DMP's instructions to complete the necessary examinations. Have the medical forms completed and signed by the DMP. At the time of your medical examination, you and your family members must present individual valid passports for identification purposes.
3. Have the X-rays, medical forms and laboratory reports sent to the CANADIAN EMBASSY IMMIGRATION MEDICAL SECTION indicated in the instructions. The DMP performing the medical examination, NOT the applicant, should send the medical results.
Note: The visa office will expect you to provide your medical exam results within a certain time frame unless you request and obtain a delay from the visa office in writing. Failure to do so may lead to complications or even closing of your file by the visa office.
Types of Medical Examinations Performed
A medical examination may include any or all of the following tests and procedures:
1. General physical examination (Weight, height, hearing, eyesight, general reflexes, blood pressure, etc.)
2. Mental examination
3. Review of past medical history
4. Laboratory tests (Blood test for applicants 15 years of age and above may include an AIDS test. Urine test is required for applicants 5 years of age and above.)
5. Diagnostic test (An X-ray for tuberculosis is required for applicants 11 years of age and over. Children under 11 years of age are also required to undergo radiological examination if there is any history of exposure to tuberculosis.)
6. Assessment of previous medical records of the applicant
What Does the DMP's Report Include?
Based on the results of the medical examination and test results, the DMP reports his/her findings under the following categories:
1. Findings that are unremarkable or minor conditions
2. Conditions that require periodic specialist follow-up care
3. Conditions that may require more extensive investigation or care
4. Other conditions and disorders that are difficult to categorize or there is a lack of sufficient medical information
Evaluating Medical Inadmissibility
All immigrants to Canada must hold a medical clearance that indicates that they are not inadmissible on health grounds. Procedures for evaluating medical inadmissibility can be quite complex, and each person's condition is reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking into account the applicant's full medical history. Before determining whether an applicant is inadmissible on medical grounds, an officer must conclude that the applicant's health condition is likely to be a danger to public health, public safety, or place excessive demand on health and social services in Canada.
The Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) officer who is assessing the applicant's health condition is required to consider the following:
1. Reports made by a health practitioner or medical laboratory with respect to the applicant's health condition
2. The communicability of any disease that the applicant is affected by or carries
3. The impact that the disease could have on other persons living in Canada
4. The risk of a sudden incapacity or unpredictable or violent behavior of the applicant that would create a danger to the health or safety of persons living in Canada
Medical Surveillance and Treatment
If you are diagnosed to have a certain medical condition after your application is approved, you may be placed under a medical surveillance and treatment program in Canada. An officer may impose, vary or cancel the following conditions with respect to your health condition:
1. To report at the specified times and places for medical examination, surveillance or treatment, and
2. To provide proof, at the specified times and places, of compliance with the conditions imposed
Rejection of Your Visa on Medical Grounds
You application for permanent residence may be rejected on medical grounds, if it is concluded that you or your dependent's health
1. Is likely to be a danger to public health or public safety
2. Would reasonably be expected to place excessive demand on health or social services in Canada
3. Would prevent you from supporting yourself and your dependents in Canada
Generally, the visa office will provide you with the medical examination procedures and medical examination forms in writing when your application for permanent residence under process. You will also be provided with a list of Designated Medical Practitioners (DMP) in you area of residence.
1. When you receive the medical forms and instructions from the visa office, make an appointment with one of the DMPs in your area.
2. Take the medical instructions and forms with you to the DMP. Follow the DMP's instructions to complete the necessary examinations. Have the medical forms completed and signed by the DMP. At the time of your medical examination, you and your family members must present individual valid passports for identification purposes.
3. Have the X-rays, medical forms and laboratory reports sent to the CANADIAN EMBASSY IMMIGRATION MEDICAL SECTION indicated in the instructions. The DMP performing the medical examination, NOT the applicant, should send the medical results.
Note: The visa office will expect you to provide your medical exam results within a certain time frame unless you request and obtain a delay from the visa office in writing. Failure to do so may lead to complications or even closing of your file by the visa office.
Types of Medical Examinations Performed
A medical examination may include any or all of the following tests and procedures:
1. General physical examination (Weight, height, hearing, eyesight, general reflexes, blood pressure, etc.)
2. Mental examination
3. Review of past medical history
4. Laboratory tests (Blood test for applicants 15 years of age and above may include an AIDS test. Urine test is required for applicants 5 years of age and above.)
5. Diagnostic test (An X-ray for tuberculosis is required for applicants 11 years of age and over. Children under 11 years of age are also required to undergo radiological examination if there is any history of exposure to tuberculosis.)
6. Assessment of previous medical records of the applicant
What Does the DMP's Report Include?
Based on the results of the medical examination and test results, the DMP reports his/her findings under the following categories:
1. Findings that are unremarkable or minor conditions
2. Conditions that require periodic specialist follow-up care
3. Conditions that may require more extensive investigation or care
4. Other conditions and disorders that are difficult to categorize or there is a lack of sufficient medical information
Evaluating Medical Inadmissibility
All immigrants to Canada must hold a medical clearance that indicates that they are not inadmissible on health grounds. Procedures for evaluating medical inadmissibility can be quite complex, and each person's condition is reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking into account the applicant's full medical history. Before determining whether an applicant is inadmissible on medical grounds, an officer must conclude that the applicant's health condition is likely to be a danger to public health, public safety, or place excessive demand on health and social services in Canada.
The Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) officer who is assessing the applicant's health condition is required to consider the following:
1. Reports made by a health practitioner or medical laboratory with respect to the applicant's health condition
2. The communicability of any disease that the applicant is affected by or carries
3. The impact that the disease could have on other persons living in Canada
4. The risk of a sudden incapacity or unpredictable or violent behavior of the applicant that would create a danger to the health or safety of persons living in Canada
Medical Surveillance and Treatment
If you are diagnosed to have a certain medical condition after your application is approved, you may be placed under a medical surveillance and treatment program in Canada. An officer may impose, vary or cancel the following conditions with respect to your health condition:
1. To report at the specified times and places for medical examination, surveillance or treatment, and
2. To provide proof, at the specified times and places, of compliance with the conditions imposed
Rejection of Your Visa on Medical Grounds
You application for permanent residence may be rejected on medical grounds, if it is concluded that you or your dependent's health
1. Is likely to be a danger to public health or public safety
2. Would reasonably be expected to place excessive demand on health or social services in Canada
3. Would prevent you from supporting yourself and your dependents in Canada
