By Admin, #OasisVisas 
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, starting August 21, 2025, applicants for permanent residence through the Express Entry system must complete an upfront medical exam before submitting their application.
Currently, applicants submit their application first and then wait for IRCC’s instructions to complete a medical exam. This change will only apply to Express Entry applications submitted on or after August 21, 2025. Applications submitted before this date, as well as non-Express Entry permanent residence applications, will not be affected.
Medical Admissibility Rules
The principal applicant and all family members whether accompanying or not must be medically admissible to Canada. The main reasons for medical inadmissibility include:
- A condition that could place excessive demand on Canada’s healthcare system (over $27,162 per year).
- Certain infectious diseases or conditions posing a danger to public health.
Applicants can improve their chances of admissibility by showing that chronic conditions, such as diabetes, are being properly treated and are stable.
About Immigration Medical Exams (IMEs)
IMEs must be done by IRCC-approved panel physicians. Applicants can find the list of approved doctors on IRCC’s website and must book appointments directly. Costs usually range from $140 to $280 per person, plus any fees for additional tests, treatments, or specialist visits.
An IME may include:
- Medical history review
- Full physical examination (eyes, heart, lungs, etc.)
- X-rays
- Blood and urine tests
- Mental health assessments
- Immunization record check
When attending an IME, applicants should bring:
- ID (passport or national ID card)
- Four recent photos
- List of medications
- Medical reports and vaccination records
Those in Canada who had an IME within the last five years may be able to use their previous results, provided they were deemed low or no public health risk. If the results are not usable, IRCC will request a new exam.