All applicants and their family members (spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children) must undergo an approved Express Entry Medical Examination for application. Medical reports only have a validity of 1 year and must be valid when you arrive in Canada. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to get the medical tests completed close to the date of submission of your post- ITA application (e-APR).
You have to ensure that you get your Medical examination done by a physician approved by CIC (IRCC). Depending on your location you can select a physician from the approved list of panel physicians. You can find city- specific immigration medical exam doctor list from the link below:
https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
Simply call the office of the selected panel physician and tell them that you need to undergo an Upfront Medical examination for Express Entry. Set up an appointment, ask for their fees, documents that you must bring and any other special requirements.
Generally, Canadian immigration medical examination process consists of:
- Appointments are available within a week (This greatly depends on your location though)
- You need to carry 4 passport size photographs per person if the physicial doesn’t use eMedical.
- You need to carry any previous medical reports (varies based on the physician you selected)
- All tests are completed in a single visit (within 4-5 hours )
- You do not get a copy of reports as these are shared only with CIC (physician shares it electronically or paper-based)
In most cases, Medical examinations go smooth. If needed, your Panel physician may refer you for additional tests. Your examination reports are generally not shared with you. These reports are sent directly to CIC (IRCC) for a decision.
The physician will provide you either with an up-front medical notification printout (if they work with an eMedical electronic system) or IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form (if they work with a paper system).
Express Entry Medical Examination Additional Tips
- As an applicant, you do not have to worry about whether the panel physician works with an Electronic or Paper-based system. Simply upload a copy of the up-front medical notification printout or IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form when you are submitting your post ITA application.
- You will also need to enter your immigration medical examination (IME) number from the Medical Certificate in one of the sections of your post-ITA application (e-APR).
- In my opinion, the best time to go for Medical examinations is a week or two before you submit your post-ITA application. This ensures that the reports are valid for most of your application processing time. Also, when your PR application is approved, you must land before the expiry date of your passport or the expiry date of your Medical reports (whichever is earlier). Therefore, getting Medical reports closer to e-APR submission date will eventually give you additional time to prepare for landing.
- Ensure that you consistently remind panel physicians that the examination is for permanent residence under economic class. The same physician may be in a panel for other visa categories as well so that could lead to unwanted confusion.
- Please note that some panel physicians may be facing backlog situations and there could be delays in setting up appointments. Please call them well in advance so you can plan your medical examinations accordingly.
- Ensure that Medical examinations are completed for Primary Applicant and all dependents (irrespective of whether they are accompanying PA or not)
- It’s wise to carry copies of your ITA and print-out of CICs upfront medical test page. It is possible that you may have to deal with a physician/assistant who is not well aware of the upfront medical test system.
- If you’re unable to complete your IME in time due to COVID-19, you will be given 90 days to complete this step.
You will find more information on express entry medical exam in the following links:
Comments