Significant changes to medical examination procedures for Express Entry permanent residence applicants take effect August 21, 2025. All new applicants must now complete an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before submitting their application—unless they qualify for specific exemptions.
This represents a major procedural shift from previous requirements where medical exams were typically completed after application submission upon request from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Key Changes Effective August 21, 2025
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Upfront IME Required: All Express Entry PR applicants must now complete their medical examination before application submission
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Limited Exemptions: Only applicants meeting all exemption conditions can bypass this new requirement
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Documentation Required: Proof of completed IME must be uploaded directly through the Express Entry Profile Builder
Exemption Eligibility Criteria
Applicants may be exempt from the new upfront IME requirement only if they meet ALL of the following conditions:
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✅ Previously completed an IME within the last five years
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✅ Previous IME results indicated low or no risk to Canadian public health and safety
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✅ Currently residing in Canada
IRCC specifically advises candidates to complete an IME only after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Understanding Immigration Medical Exams (IMEs)
Validity Period: IME results are typically valid for 12 months from the examination date.
Who Must Be Examined: The principal applicant and all family members must complete the examination, including:
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Spouse or common-law partner
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Dependent children
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Dependent children of dependent children
This requirement applies even to family members not accompanying the applicant to Canada.
Completing Your Immigration Medical Exam
Approved Physicians Only: IMEs must be performed by an IRCC-approved panel physician. These medical professionals:
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Have access to IRCC’s eMedical system
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Submit results directly to IRCC on behalf of applicants
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Provide required documentation for application submission
Finding a Panel Physician: Applicants can locate approved physicians through IRCC’s official webpage.
Application Documentation Requirements
After completing the IME, applicants will receive one of the following documents from their panel physician:
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Information printout sheet, OR
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IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form
Applicants must upload one of these documents as proof of medical exam completion when submitting their PR application through the Express Entry Profile Builder.
Using Previous Medical Exam Results
Applicants who qualify for exemption based on a previous IME must provide one of the following:
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Copy of their information printout sheet
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Copy of their IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form
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Their unique IME number (medical identifier)
If IRCC determines that previous results cannot be reused after application submission, applicants will receive instructions for completing a new medical examination.
Important Considerations
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Timing: Complete your IME only after receiving an ITA to ensure results remain valid throughout processing
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Family Members: Remember to include all required family members in medical examinations
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Document Preservation: Keep all medical exam documentation for future reference
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Processing Times: Upfront medical exams may help streamline application processing
Staying Informed
Applicants should regularly check the official IRCC website for any additional updates or changes to medical examination requirements.
This change aims to streamline the application process while maintaining Canada’s commitment to public health and safety standards.
