Medical Exams for Visitors, Students and Workers

If you plan to stay for 6 months or less

You generally don’t need a medical exam, unless you plan to work in certain jobs.

Jobs for which you need a medical exam

You may need a medical exam because of the type of job you want to do in Canada.

Examples of such jobs are:

1. Jobs that bring you into close contact with people, such as
   • workers in health-care settings
   • clinical laboratory workers
   • patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
   • medical students admitted to Canada to attend university
   • medical electives and physicians on short-term locums
   • workers in primary or secondary school settings, or workers in child-care settings
   • domestics
   • workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly and the disabled
   • day nursery employees and
   • other similar jobs
2. Agricultural workers who’ve visited or lived in one of these countries for more than 6 months during the past year.

If you plan to stay for more than 6 months

You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you:

• You lived in one or more of these countries or territories for at least 6 months in a row within the last year, or
• You’ll come to Canada to work in a job in which public health must be protected (see jobs for which you need a medical exam), or
• You’re applying for a parent and grandparent super visa.

If you need a medical exam, the visa office will tell you what to do next.

Parent and grandparent super visa: Information for parents and grandparents, including applications for super visas, processing times, what to expect when you arrive in Canada and how to extend your stay.

Who can do your exam

You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians. Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.

The panel physician doesn’t make the final decision about your medical exam. We make that decision. If there’s a problem with your medical exam, we’ll contact you in writing.

When to get your medical exam

You can either get your medical exam before or after you apply.

Getting an exam before you submit your application

You have the option of getting an exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam. To get one, contact a panel physician directly.

You can get one if you apply to:

• visit (including parent and grandparent super visa)
• work
• study

Getting an exam after you submit your application

We’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done. You must go for your medical exam within 30 days of receiving these instructions.

If you don’t follow these instructions, we may refuse your application.

What to bring

When you go to your appointment for the medical exam, you must bring:

• proper identification – at least 1 government-issued document with your photograph and signature, such as a passport or national identity card
  • You may also use a Canadian driver’s license, but only in Canada
• eye glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them
• any medical reports or test results that you have for any previous or existing medical conditions
• a list of your current medications
• the Medical Report form (IMM 1017E), if you don’t have an up-front medical exam
  • We’ll send you this form
• If the panel physician doesn’t use eMedical, you must bring 4 recent photographs.
  • Contact the panel physician before your appointment to find out.

If you’re referred for an x-ray or other tests, you may be asked to present your identification again when you go for those tests.

What you need to pay for

You must pay all fees related to the medical exam when you’re there, including:

• the fee for the doctor or radiologist
• any special tests, investigations or treatment needed
• any specialists you need to see

If we refuse your application after your medical exam, we won’t refund those fees.

What to expect during your exam

Only an approved panel physician can do a complete medical exam for immigration reasons.

When you arrive

The panel physician or clinic staff will ask you for identification to confirm your identity. If you’re referred for an x-ray or other tests, you may be asked to present your identification again when you go for those tests. Your picture will also be taken for our records.

Medical history questionnaire

The doctor will fill out a medical history questionnaire with you. This questionnaire is about any previous or existing medical conditions. They’ll also ask you about any medications you’re taking.