Canada temporarily exempting some immigrants from medical exam

Shelby Thevenot
Published: June 30, 2021

Foreign nationals who are in Canada may not have to complete an medical exam as part of their immigration application.

When applying for permanent residence or for a permanent resident visa, applicants typically must provide an immigration medical exam or a unique medical identifier number from their previous medical exam.

The new public policy applies to foreign nationals in Canada who:

  • have applied for permanent residency and have not completed a new immigration medical exam;
  • have completed a medical exam within the last five years and were found to pose no risk to public health or safety, or complied with a requirement to report to health authorities for monitoring; and
  • have not left Canada for more than six months in the last year to live in a country that is on the federal government's list of countries requiring an immigration medical exam.

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Applicants' family members may also be eligible under this temporary public policy if they meet the criteria listed above, and are also living in Canada.

The measure is in effect now until December 28, 2021.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the new policy will help speed up immigration application timelines, allowing more temporary residents to get their full permanent residency status.

In turn, this will help support the government's goal of admitting 401,000 new immigrants this year. Although as of April, Canada is currently falling short of this target.

There are currently many immigration applicants in Canada. Throughout the pandemic, the government has focused its efforts on pathways to permanent residence for temporary residents. This was part of an effort to work toward immigration targets amid travel restrictions and other coronavirus-related measures.

There were two major ways the government did this. It used its already-existing Express Entry system to send Invitations to Apply for permanent residence to candidates who were most likely in Canada. Also in May, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino launched six temporary pathways to permanent residence for French speakers, essential workers and international student graduates. Within 25 hours, all 40,000 slots for graduates were used up. The government is still accepting applications for essential worker and French-speaking streams until November 5, or until spaces fill up.

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
IRCC to update application fees on December 1
A couple looks to their laptop, credit card in hand, anticipating the online payment of their IRCC fees.
BREAKING: Canada holds first healthcare Express Entry draw since July
A scenic lake with a mountain in the background on a summer day
Pilot programs offer alternate pathways to PR for Quebec temporary residents
A view of a skyline in Canada during a sunset
IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in third draw of the week
Cape Breton Island
Top Stories
Manitoba announces new pilot pathway to permanent residency
Useful Information for Newcomers: Renting vs Buying in Canada
How the Canadian government supports newcomers with Canada Connects
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Canada
How the Canadian government supports newcomers with Canada Connects
A multicultural group of youths sit on the steps of a building in Toronto, laughing and socializing.
IRCC to update application fees on December 1
A couple looks to their laptop, credit card in hand, anticipating the online payment of their IRCC fees.
International students in Canada can work 24 hours a week off-campus
A young woman walks while carrying a laptop
IRCC’s backlog continues to grow as department looks to reduce immigration in 2025
A pile on paperwork
Link copied to clipboard