IRCC immigration medical exam explained: panel physicians, 12-month validity, how to get a copy of your results, and the 5-year in-Canada reuse policy.
Canadian Immigration Medical Exam: Policy, Process and Results
This is a practical guide to the IRCC immigration medical exam — who needs one, what happens at the appointment, how long results last, how results reach IRCC, and how to obtain a copy of your medical results in addition to the proof that you attended.
Key takeaways
Only an IRCC panel physician can perform the exam — not your family doctor.
Results go directly to IRCC through eMedical; you do not “pass or fail” at the clinic.
Proof of exam (Information Sheet / IME number) is not the same as a copy of the medical results.
Ask the panel physician for a copy of your results at the appointment (ideally before eMedical submission).
IME results are generally valid for 12 months from the exam date.
Track status in your IRCC secure account, not in a public eMedical portal.
If you're applying for permanent residence, a work permit, or a study permit, there's a good chance your application includes an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). It's a routine step for most applicants — but the timing, validity rules, and what happens if a health condition is flagged can meaningfully affect your application if you don't plan for them.
What Is the Immigration Medical Exam?
The IME is a standard health screening required by IRCC to assess whether an applicant poses a danger to public health, a danger to public safety, or is likely to place excessive demand on Canada's health or social services. It is not a general wellness exam, and the physician conducting it does not decide the outcome of your application — IRCC does, based on the results submitted.
Who Needs One
Most permanent residence applicants (and often family members, whether accompanying or not).
Some temporary residents (workers, students, and certain visitors), depending on length of stay, occupation, and country of residence.
Visitors staying longer than six months are usually required to conduct a medical exam.
Rules and exemptions can change (including in-Canada policies). Always follow the instructions in your application guide or IRCC request letter.
It Must Be Done by an IRCC-Approved Panel Physician
This is one of the most important and most commonly misunderstood rules: you cannot use your own family doctor. The exam must be performed by a physician on IRCC's official Panel Physician list — a global network of doctors specifically authorized to conduct and submit immigration medical exams. You can find an approved physician through IRCC's online panel physician search tool.
What Happens During the Exam
The exam typically includes a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and depending on your age and circumstances, additional tests such as a chest X-ray or bloodwork. IRCC's own guidance is specific that the exam does not include an examination of your genitals or rectal area — these are not required for immigration purposes.
Bring these documents with you:
Valid government-issued photo ID
Your IME number or medical instructions letter (if IRCC already requested the exam)
A summary of conditions and medications
Upfront vs. Requested Exams
For most applications outside Express Entry, you typically wait until IRCC requests the exam rather than booking one upfront.
For Express Entry specifically, the exam is usually requested after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submit your application — IRCC sends a Medical Notification Letter through your online account with instructions and an IME number to bring to your appointment. In certain cases, some do an upfront exam when the guide allows. Follow the instructions for your stream so validity does not expire mid-process.
How Results Reach IRCC
You will not receive a pass/fail decision at the appointment. The panel physician submits results to IRCC through the eMedical system (or, in rare paper cases, to the regional medical office). IRCC’s Migration Health Branch then assesses the file as part of your application.
That is why your account may still show that medical results are needed for a period after the exam: submission and assessment are not instant.
Official IRCC position on copies of results
IRCC states that if you want a copy of your medical exam results, you should ask the physician when you are there. Medical reports and X-rays that form part of the exam become IRCC’s property; IRCC cannot return them to you.
Panel guidance also encourages physicians to give the client a copy of the IME unless releasing it would be injurious to the client’s health. If the clinic prints a copy, that is generally done before the IME is submitted in eMedical; after submission, the physician may no longer be able to retrieve the same file for printing.
Practical steps
At the appointment, ask clearly for a copy of your medical exam results / IME report (not only the Information Sheet).
Ask before they finalize submission in eMedical if the clinic says copies must be printed first.
Keep the Information Sheet / proof of exam separately — you may need the IME number for your application or status follow-up.
You cannot log into eMedical yourself; that system is for panel physicians and IRCC.
To see whether IRCC has received/assessed medicals, use your IRCC secure account (online applications) or the application status tool (paper). Results often appear within about 30 days of the exam when IRCC requested the medical after you applied; upfront medicals may not show until processing of the full application advances.
If the clinic will not provide a copy, ask what their policy is and keep written proof of the request. For IRCC’s own assessment of your medical admissibility, rely on your application status and any formal correspondence (including procedural fairness letters), not on a public “results download” page.
Validity: The 12-Month Rule
IME results are generally valid for 12 months from the date of the exam — not from the day IRCC opens the file, and not from the day you apply.
Expiry risk: if validity ends before a final decision (or before you land, depending on the stream), IRCC may require a new exam at your cost, which can delay the file. Track the exam date against processing timelines.
Using a previous IME (temporary public policy — in Canada)
A temporary public policy allows some people already living in Canada to skip a new immigration medical exam if they had a qualifying IME in the past five years.
IRCC has extended this measure until October 5, 2029 (it may be revoked earlier without notice).
Who may be exempt
You may not need another IME if you meet all of the following:
You are applying for permanent residence or temporary residence (or have an application covered by the policy).
You already live in Canada and indicate a Canadian residence on the application.
You completed a previous IME within the five years before you submit the new application (even if the usual 12-month validity has already ended).
Your previous IME was assessed as low risk or no risk to public health or public safety (eligible medical coding on the prior file — not merely proof that an exam took place).
Outside Canada: this exemption is aimed at in-Canada applicants. If you live abroad, normal medical exam rules usually apply.
What to do if you believe you qualify
Locate your previous IME number or unique medical identifier (UMI) (from the eMedical Information Sheet or proof-of-exam document).
Enter that number in the application where IRCC asks for medical information.
Keep a copy of the old proof-of-exam document with your records.
Important: the exemption is not automatic
Submitting proof that you completed a previous IME does not guarantee that IRCC will waive a new exam.
Officers must be able to confirm residence in Canada, that the application is covered by the policy, that a qualifying IME was done within five years, and that the prior result was assessed as low or no risk to public health or public safety. If the old file cannot be linked, the coding is not eligible, or the officer is not satisfied the policy applies, IRCC can still request a new medical exam — including on files such as a visitor record or other temporary residence applications.
Always follow the instructions in any medical request letter you receive. You may note the previous IME/UMI number in your response, but if IRCC requires a new exam, complete it by the deadline.
What If a Health Condition Is Flagged?
A medical condition does not automatically mean refusal. IRCC focuses on danger to public health or safety, and (where applicable) excessive demand on health or social services. Many manageable conditions do not meet those thresholds.
Chronic conditions, costly ongoing treatment, or a prior medical flag are situations where how the file is documented matters. If you receive a procedural fairness letter on medical grounds, get advice before you respond.
A Practical Booking Checklist
Confirm your physician is on IRCC's current panel list before booking — a non-panel exam won't be accepted and will need to be redone
Book as early as practical once requested, since appointment availability varies by location
Bring valid government-issued photo ID and your IME number/letter
Bring a summary of your medical history, including any existing conditions or medications
Ask for a copy of the results at the visit if you need it
Keep the proof-of-exam sheet and note the 12-month expiry date
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my family doctor?
No. Only an IRCC panel physician can perform the IME.
How long are results valid?
Usually 12 months from the exam date.
Will I pass or fail at the clinic?
No. The physician submits results to IRCC; IRCC assesses them.
How do I get a copy of my medical results?
Ask the panel physician at the appointment. IRCC does not mail you the full report and does not return X-rays/reports that have become their property. Proof of exam is not the same as a copy of the results.
How do I know if IRCC received my medicals?
Check your IRCC secure account (or paper status tool). Updates often appear within about 30 days when the exam was requested after you applied.
Does a medical condition automatically refuse my application?
No. Assessment is specific. Complex or high-cost conditions may need careful documentation and, if IRCC writes to you, a timely professional response.
What if my IME expires before a decision?
You may need a new exam at your expense, which can delay processing.
What If a Health Condition Is Flagged?
A medical condition does not automatically mean refusal and how the file is documented matters. If you receive a procedural fairness letter on medical grounds, contact us to get advice before you respond.
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