Archive - Medical Exams for Temporary Residents

Published: 23 July 2015
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Medical exams for the purpose of temporary residency in Canada must be performed by a physician designated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Once taken, a medical exam is valid for 12 months.

A medical may include a physical examination, medical examination, blood and urine tests, and x-rays. Once completed, the physician will send their results to CIC.

There are two options for taking a medical exam. Individuals may submit their applications and wait for instructions from the visa office processing their file. Once instructions are received, applicants have 60 days to take their medical exam, or risk refusal.

Alternately, an applicant may schedule an exam with a designated physician before applying to the visa office. This is called an up-front medical exam. Once the exam is completed, the physician will provide a confirmation that the medical exam was taken. This confirmation should be included in the application submitted to the visa office.

What to bring to a medical examination

CIC states that individuals must bring the following items to their medical exam:

  • Personal identification
  • Corrective glasses or contact lenses, if worn
  • Any medical reports or results pertaining to previous or current medical conditions
  • The CIC Medical Report form (if not an up-front medical exam)

Individuals may also be required to bring:

  • Four recent photographs, needed by some CIC designated doctors

You should ask your designated physician about the required documents when you make the appointment.