Do I need an immigration medical exam?
Everyone applying for permanent residence needs one. For a visit, studies or work it depends on how long you stay, where you lived before, and the job you will do. A few questions find IRCC's rule for you.
Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 25, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.
What IRCC says, situation by situation
No, but IRCC must find you exempt; include your IME number.
You may not need another one: IRCC's in-Canada exemption
IRCC may exempt you from another exam if you meet all 4 of its conditions. An officer decides; if you are exempt, you give the number of your previous exam.
In IRCC’s words:
“You may be exempt from completing another IME if you meet all of these conditions:”
“you applied or are applying for either permanent residence or temporary residence”
“you already live in Canada”
“you completed your previous IME in the last 5 years”
“your previous IME indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety”
“If you completed an IME within 5 years of submitting your new application, include the IME number (or the unique medical identifier number) from your previous IME in your current application.”
IRCC: the public policy exempting some people in Canada from another medical exam
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes
Yes: family members need one even if they are not coming with you
In IRCC’s words:
“If you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they’re not coming with you .”
“After you submit your complete application for permanent residence, we’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done. Please wait for our instructions before going for a medical exam.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes: after your invitation to apply, before you submit
In IRCC’s words:
“If you’re applying under Express Entry , you must get a medical exam after you receive your invitation to apply, but before you apply . This is called an upfront medical exam.”
“If you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they’re not coming with you .”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
“Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you don’t come to Canada as a permanent resident within that time, you may need to have another exam.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, for you and your family: IRCC emails the instructions
In IRCC’s words:
“You and your family (partner and children) must have a medical exam before you come to Canada. We’ll email you instructions on how to get your medical exam done.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Yes
Yes, but wait for IRCC's instructions, then go within 30 days
In IRCC’s words:
“If you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they’re not coming with you .”
“After you submit your complete application for permanent residence, we’ll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done. Please wait for our instructions before going for a medical exam.”
“You must get your medical exam within 30 days of getting these instructions. This also applies to applicants who are being sponsored as a spouse, partner or child.”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, within 30 days, as the border officer tells you
In IRCC’s words:
“If you make a refugee claim at a port of entry , a border services officer will tell you to get a medical exam within 30 days .”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes: a super visa needs a medical exam
In IRCC’s words:
“You’re applying for a parent and grandparent super visa .”
“You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you :”
“You should get your medical exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam.”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, for a job in which public health must be protected
For a stay of 6 months or less, IRCC asks for an exam only for certain jobs, and the one you chose is among IRCC's examples.
In IRCC’s words:
“You generally don’t need an immigration medical exam unless you plan to work in certain jobs in which public health must be protected.”
“If you need an immigration medical exam, the visa office will tell you what to do next.”
“You should get your medical exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam.”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, after 6 months or more in a listed country
In IRCC’s words:
“agricultural workers who’ve visited or lived in one of these countries for 6 months or more in a row in the year before they came to Canada”
“You generally don’t need an immigration medical exam unless you plan to work in certain jobs in which public health must be protected.”
“If you need an immigration medical exam, the visa office will tell you what to do next.”
IRCC: the countries and territories on the medical exam list
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
No
Generally not, for a stay of 6 months or less
In IRCC’s words:
“You generally don’t need an immigration medical exam unless you plan to work in certain jobs in which public health must be protected.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, because of where you lived or travelled
In IRCC’s words:
“You have lived in or travelled to one or more of these countries or territories for 6 months or more in a row in the year before you come to Canada.”
“You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you :”
“You should get your medical exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam.”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
“Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you’re a student or worker, your letter of introduction shows the date your results expire.”
IRCC: the countries and territories on the medical exam list
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes, if you spent 6+ months in a row in a listed country.
It depends on where you spent the last year
In IRCC’s words:
“You have lived in or travelled to one or more of these countries or territories for 6 months or more in a row in the year before you come to Canada.”
“You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you :”
IRCC: the countries and territories on the medical exam list
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
Yes
Yes, for a job in which public health must be protected
In IRCC’s words:
“You’ll come to Canada to work in a job in which public health must be protected .”
“You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you :”
“You should get your medical exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical exam.”
“You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians . Your own doctor can’t do the medical exam.”
“Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you’re a student or worker, your letter of introduction shows the date your results expire.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
No
Not on what you answered
None of IRCC's 3 reasons for a longer stay (a listed country, a protected job, a super visa) matched your answers.
In IRCC’s words:
“You need a medical exam if at least one of these applies to you :”
“If you need an immigration medical exam, the visa office will tell you what to do next.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 4, 2026
What would change the answer
- Applying for permanent residence: everyone, and their family members, needs an exam.
- Staying more than 6 months, or 6 months or more in a listed country.
- Working in health care, schools, child care or caregiving.
What you might not have asked yet
- Applying through Express Entry? Which programs fit you?
- Coming to visit: do you need a visa or an eTA?
- Already in Canada: can you apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
Sources
- IRCC › application/medical-police/medical-exams · page dated February 19, 2026
- IRCC › application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-permanent-residents · page dated August 4, 2026
- IRCC › immigrate-canada/caregivers/home-care-worker-immigration-pilots/child-care-home-support/after-apply · page dated June 23, 2026
- IRCC › application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents · page dated August 4, 2026
Other answers
- Am I eligible for an Express Entry program?
- As a caregiver, can I change jobs, move, or apply for PR?
- As an asylum claimant, can I get a work or study permit?
- Can a positive LMIA be changed?
- Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada (or for my child)?
- Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
- Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive at the border?
- Can I change employers on my work permit?
- Can I change the sex or gender identifier on my IRCC documents?
- Can I come to Canada as a business visitor, without a work permit?
- Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?
- Can I get a bridging open work permit?
- Can I get a post-graduation work permit, and can I work while I wait?
- Can I get an immigration loan, and how do I repay it?
- Can I get two-week work permit processing?
- Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?
- Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?
- Can I keep my permanent resident status, and travel without a PR card?
- Can I keep working while my work permit extension is processed?
- Can I leave Canada and come back on my permit or status?
- Can I sponsor a refugee?
- Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
- Can I stay in Canada as a visitor, and for longer than I was given?
- Can I take a short course in Canada without a study permit?
- Can I take free government-funded language classes?
- Can I take part in International Experience Canada (again)?
- Can I work while I study in Canada?
- Can my family come with me while I work or study in Canada?
- Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?
- Could a health condition make me inadmissible to Canada (excessive demand)?
- Do I need a language test, and which one counts?
- Do I need a representative, and who may help me?
- Do I need a visa or an eTA to come to Canada?
- Do I need police certificates?
- Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?
- Does my credential assessment (ECA) let me work in my profession?
- Does the employer have to invite Job Match candidates?
- Does the low-wage cap apply to this employer?
- Does this LMIA job ad meet ESDC's advertising rules?
- My application was refused: can I still do something about it?
- My employer is treating me unfairly: can I get help and keep my status?
- Will I lose my other citizenship if I become Canadian?
Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.