Chapter 21         

The Medical Examination             

You will receive full instructions from the Visa Office when it is time for you and your dependants to undergo the medical examinations. 

  Do not have your medical examinations done until you are told to do so by the Visa Office. After you have receive a notice from the Visa Office,  it will be your responsibility to arrange an appointment with the DMP.

These medical examinations are intended to detect any conditions which may affect the health of the Canadian public, or which may result in excessive demands being placed upon the Canadian health or social care system.

Passing the medical examination is required since you are applying under the Skilled Worker’s Migration Program. You are chosen based on your potential economic contribution to  Canada, therefore you should at least be healthy to be able to work and provide for yourself and your family. 

List of  DMP's around the world

The medical examination is done by Designated Medical Practitioners (DMP). To know the DMP's in your country,  click here ( you must be connected to the internet to use this list).

Procedures for the Medical Examinations

• You will receive a letter from the Visa Office giving you instructions that you are due for medical examinations.
• You should make an appointment with a doctor from the list of designated medical practitioners. Check the list for a doctor nearest to where you live. 
• The result of you and your dependent's the medical examination would be sent to the Visa Office.
• You will receive further instructions from the Visa Office should there be a need for other examinations. 

What are the examinations to be done ?

The medical examination includes a standard physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and X-Rays.  The doctor will require your dependents who are over 10 years old to have a chest X-ray. An x-ray is required for children under 10 if there is a history or clinical examination which indicates there is need or if there is evidence of tuberculosis in the family. You will receive instructions from the doctor.

What are the things I should bring to the during the medical examinations?

You should carefully read the instructions given to you my the Visa Office. You should remember to bring your passport, any relevant medical report, your eyeglasses, contact lenses or hearing aid if you wear any of these. Also bring the medical notice sent by the Visa Office.

  All costs related to the medical examinations is your responsibility. It is very possible that you may be asked to take other medical examinations before a final medical decision is made.

Can my application be rejected based on medical reason ?

Yes, your application may be rejected solely on medical grounds, if your and/or your dependent’s:

1.   condition would endanger the health or safety of the Canadian population at large,  

2.   admission might cause excessive demands on social or health services provided by the government, or

3.   condition might reasonably prevent them from supporting themselves and/or those dependent upon them.

  Other factors in determining whether an person is inadmissible on medical grounds

When determining whether any person is inadmissible on medical grounds, the medical officer is obliged to consider the nature, severity or probable duration of any health impairment from which the person is suffering as well as other factors, such as 

• whether there is danger of contagion; 

• whether unpredictable or unusual behavior may create a danger to public safety; 

• whether the supply of health or social services that the person may require in Canada is limited to such an extent that the use of such services may not be available or accessible to the person or may deprive Canadian nationals of these services; 

• whether medical care or hospitalization is required; whether potential employability or productivity is affected, etc.  

Can my own doctor do the medical examination? 

No. Only the physicians on Canada's list of DMPs can do the examination.  

What does serious disease means?  

If your ailment would place an excessive demand on Canadian’s health services your application might be rejected. A person with a serious disease or psychiatric disorder requiring ongoing care or hospitalization or individuals with developmental delay or congenital disorders who require special education or training to lead an independent life may be inadmissible.  

What do you mean by "excessive demand" on Canada's health or social services?

“Excessive burden” refers to the significant burden placed on Canada's health or social services due to ongoing hospitalization or medical, social or institutional care for physical or mental illnesses, or special education or training. Individuals may be denied admittance to Canada due to the high costs of their care. 

The factors considered during the medical assessment include whether or not hospitalization or medical, social or institutional care are required and whether potential employability or productivity could be affected. For example, a person with a serious disease or psychiatric disorder requiring ongoing care or hospitalization may be inadmissible because their requirements would place "excessive demand" on the Canadian health-care system. 

Some individuals with developmental delay or congenital disorders who will require special education or training to lead an independent life may also be inadmissible. Other conditions which might place a significant financial burden on Canada’s health or social services, will also render an applicant medically inadmissible for immigration

Why will my non-accompanying dependents be required to complete medical examinations?

Both accompanying or non-accompanying dependents are required to undergo medical examinations. If a non-accompanying dependent is unwilling to undergo a medical examination, it may be possible to have the individual exempted.

Can my dependents undergo the medical examination in another country? 

The examination is given around the world by designated medical practitioners (DMP). Regardless of the Visa Office to which the application was submitted, the services of any such practitioner may be used. A list of  designated medical practitioner will be provided to you by the Visa Office.

Can the DMP advise me regarding my application?  

No. The DMP is only responsible for conducting a medical examination in accordance with Canada’s immigration requirements. The designated physician cannot provide any advice on the immigration selection system. Remember, only the Visa Office can give the final decision on whether or not your medical file is acceptable.

For how long is the medical examination valid?  

It is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of the first medical examination. If your visa is not processed during this 12-month period, you will be advised by the Visa Office to undergo another complete medical examination.

Will my application be rejected if I have a certain disease or disorder?

Each medical case is analyzed individually, taking into account your full medical history. Again, if the disease or disorder poses health risks to Canadians or places excessive demands on the Canadian health care system, it may result in medical inadmissibility.

I am pregnant, will I still have to undergo the medical examination? 

For the safety of the fetus, X-rays are not required of pregnant applicants until after delivery of the baby. After the birth, both the mother and infant will undergo medical examinations.

Will I receive a copy of the medical report and the result of the medical examination?   

All medical reports and X-rays for the Immigration Medical Examination will become the property of the Canadian Immigration Medical Authorities and cannot be returned to the applicant. The designated medical practitioner (DMP) ***will not tell and cannot tell you*** of the results of the medical. However, he will advise you if you have a health-related problem. Only the Visa Officer and not the DMP makes the final decision on whether or not a medical examination has been passed for immigration purposes. The Visa Office will send you a letter should there be a problem with your medical examination.

  After your application is approved,  they may put you in a medical surveillance program. This information will help you understand this program more.

What is a medical surveillance?

A medical surveillance is a procedure places an immigrant with certain type of previous diseases under a program that would monitor their conditions upon arrival in Canada. It is necessary to  help these immigrants to  maintain their own health, and protects their family members and people in Canada. 

What are the medical conditions that require a medical surveillance ?

Immigrants will be placed under medical surveillance if the results of their immigration medical examination for entry to Canada showed  that they have: 

         - inactive tuberculosis (TB) or  

         - evidence of a previous syphilis infection that has been treated prior to entering Canada. 

  What is the procedure for medical surveillance?

Immigrants  who will  require medical surveillance will receive a Medical Surveillance Undertaking Form IMM 0535 and a Medical Surveillance Handout that provide  instructions and telephone numbers for contacting public health authorities. They must report to a public health authority within 30 days after entering Canada.

If they are already living in Canada, they are required to report to a public health authority within 30 days after the medical surveillance handout.

Upon entry to Canada,  Port of Entry personnel will send copies of any IMM 0535 forms to the Medical Surveillance Unit (MSU) so that provincial and territorial health authorities are made aware of the arrival of  immigrants that require medical surveillance.