Archive - Temporary Residents: Who Needs a Medical Exam

Published: 6 August 2015
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Some temporary residents in Canada (visitors, students, or workers) may require a medical examination in order to come to Canada.

If staying for six months or less:

Generally speaking, individuals who plan to stay in Canada for less than six months do not need a medical exam. The only exception is if they will be working in occupations in which public health must be protected.

If staying for more than six months:

Individuals planning to stay for over six months will need a medical exam if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • They have lived for six or more consecutive months in one or more designated countries or territories in the year immediately preceding the date they intend to enter Canada
  • They will be working in an occupation in which public health must be protected; or
  • They are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

Note: Applicants who meet one of these criteria must undergo a medical exam, regardless of whether require a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada.

Occupations requiring a medical exam

Medical exams are required for individuals whose work has a possible impact on public health. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has outlined two job scenarios in which a medical exam would be required:

  1. Workers who, through their jobs, will come into close contact with people, such as:

    • Health sciences
    • Clinical laboratory workers
    • Medical students attending Canadian university
    • Medical electives and physicians on short-term locums
    • Primary and secondary school teachers
    • Domestic workers
    • Workers providing in-home care
    • hNursery workers
    • iSimilar positions

  2. Agricultural workers who have visited or lived in a designated country for more than six months in the past year.