IRCC Announces New Medical Exam Requirements for Express Entry Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that upfront medical examinations will once again be mandatory for all Express Entry permanent residence (PR) applications starting August 21, 2025.

This change ends the deferred medical exam policy in place since October 2023, where applicants could submit their PR applications without completing the Immigration Medical Examination (IME) in advance.

New Express Entry Medical Exam Rules

• Effective Date: August 21, 2025
• Who is Affected: All applicants under the Express Entry system, including accompanying and non-accompanying dependents.
• Main Change: Medical exams must be completed before submitting your PR application.
• Purpose: Improve processing speed, ensure early health admissibility assessment.

Who Must Complete the Immigration Medical Examination (IME)?

Under the new requirement, the following must complete an IME upfront:

1. Principal Applicants applying under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) via Express Entry.
2. All accompanying family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent children).
3. Non-accompanying family members (must still undergo IME to assess overall admissibility).

Exceptions – Who May Be Exempt from a New Medical Exam

You may not need a new IME if:

• You are already in Canada and completed an IME in the last 5 years for a work permit, study permit, or previous PR application.
• Your prior medical results are still valid and IRCC can access them.

In these cases, you can upload your IME number (UMI) instead of a new report. If IRCC finds your old IME unusable or expired, they will ask you to take a new exam.

What Does the Upfront Medical Exam Involve?

The IME must be done only by an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Typical steps include:

• Physical examination (weight, height, blood pressure, vision, etc.)
• Blood tests and urine analysis
• Chest X-ray (often for tuberculosis screening)
• Review of your medical history and any existing conditions

Validity: IME results are valid for 12 months. If your PR application is not finalized within this time, a new exam may be required.

Required Documents for Your Medical Exam

Before attending your appointment, prepare:

• Valid passport or government-issued ID
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses (if applicable)
• Any previous medical reports and prescriptions
• List of current medications
• Four recent photos (only if the clinic doesn’t use eMedical)
• IRCC’s Medical Report Form (IMM 1017E) if applicable

Cost of the Immigration Medical Examination

The cost of an IME varies by country and clinic, but generally ranges from USD $100–500. This covers:

• Panel physician’s consultation
• Laboratory testing
• Radiology fees (for X-rays)
• Specialist referrals if needed

What If No Panel Physician Is Available in Your Area?

If there is no IRCC-approved panel physician nearby, you can:

1. Write a Letter of Explanation detailing your situation.
2. Submit it with your PR application through IRCC’s online web form.
   IRCC will assess your case individually and provide next steps.

Why IRCC Is Bringing Back the Upfront Medical Exam

• 2023–2025 policy: Deferred medical exams allowed applicants to complete the IME later in the process to avoid result expiry.
• 2025 change: IRCC states that upfront exams will speed up processing times, reduce backlogs, and allow medical admissibility checks earlier in the review process.

Tips for a Smooth Express Entry Medical Exam Process

1. Book Early – Appointments can fill quickly, especially in high-demand cities.
2. Bring All Required Documents – Missing paperwork may delay your results.
3. Check Validity Period – Ensure your IME won’t expire before IRCC finalizes your case.
4. Use an Approved Panel Physician – Exams from non-approved doctors will not be accepted.

From August 21, 2025, anyone applying for permanent residence under Express Entry must complete and submit an Immigration Medical Examination upfront. By preparing early and using an IRCC-approved panel physician, applicants can avoid delays and improve their chances of a smooth application process.