Medical Exams and Panel Physicians

Typically, people applying for permanent resident status and in some case temporary status (depending on the situation) will require a medical examination.

These examinations will need to be completed by a panel physician. These physicians are designated by citizenship and immigration Canada to perform these medical tests.

Only a doctor authorized by CIC can do the immigration medical exam. You cannot choose your family doctor if his or her name is not on this list.

Note an upfront medical exam is one you do voluntarily at the time of submitting your application. If one is not completed, then CIC will request this from you at a later date. Medical exams are valid for one year.

Further, you must pay any fees related to the medical exam when you are there. If your application is refused after your medical exam, those fees will not be refunded. Any fees associated with filing your application are your responsibility alone.

To locate a panel physician near you, you must refer to the list of panel physicians located in your area or the area of your choosing.

The results of your test will be completely unknown to you, and you will only receive a receipt for completing the exam. The exam itself will be sent directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for their review. Only CIC and your panel physician will ever be aware of the results unless CIC provides these to you at their discretion.

Medical exams are conducted to ensure a number of different factors when considering your application for permanent residence:

• Whether you have an illness that might be considered a danger to Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Whether or not your illness, if any, would be a burden on Canada’s health care and social services should you be granted permanent residence

An officer can determine that you are medically inadmissible into Canada as a result of the above factors or others at their discretion. This may preclude you from obtaining your status.

In situations such as these, there is still hope. By obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit, you may overcome this inadmissibility. Contact us for further information and one of our skilled immigration practitioners would be eager to assist you.