12 Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Medical Exams
Many common questions arise when taking an Immigration Medical Exam (IME), ranging from apprehension regarding what to expect to caveats like safety and pregnancy-related questions.
In this article, we will address thirteen common concerns, giving individuals information and peace of mind throughout the testing process.
1. What does an Immigration Medical Exam involve?
Immigration Medical Exams (IME) are required by Canadian immigration law for those remaining in Canada for over six months. The purpose of this medical exam is to:
- Determine whether the person has medical issues that may be of public safety or health concern
- Assess health status.
- Examine whether medical conditions may create excessive demand on Canada’s social services or healthcare system.
2. Who needs to have an Immigration Medical Exam?
In general, those seeking Canadian permanent residency and planning to visit, work, or study in Canada for an extended period of time must have an IME.
Whether you require an immigration medical exam is best determined by IRCC. You may also complete an immigration medical exam in preparation of your application to work, study, or remain in Canada
3. Who does the exam?
Only a designated panel physician approved by the Government of Canada can conduct the exam. This exam cannot be done through a family doctor.
Not all clinics offering IMEs have the required facilities to perform all tests. This may result in applicants needing to schedule multiple appointments at different locations. At Immigration Medical Toronto, our experienced team can conduct all necessary tests on the day of your appointment, including blood tests, urine tests, chest X-rays, and any additional procedures as needed.
4. What information do I need to bring?
Those taking the IME must bring the following:
- Any IRCC documents
- Medical Report – Client Biodata and Summary IMM1017
- Refugee Protection Claimant Document
- Acknowledgement of Claim and Notice to Return for Interview
- One piece of government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or national identity card) or certified copy by Canadian Visa Office
- List of current medications.
- Glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective lenses that are required to see.
- Test results and medical reports for previous and current conditions.
5. Are there any costs?
The costs for an Immigration Medical Exam vary according to your age and the testing you require. To learn more about the cost of an IME with Immigration Medical Toronto, you can view our detailed pricing information online.
For those with a valid refugee ID who have not previously completed a refugee exam, Immigration Medical Toronto offers Immigration Medical Exams at no cost.
6. What tests are done?
Immigration Medical Exams include a physical exam, urine, x-ray and blood components. With physical examinations, the doctor will assess your:
- Vision and hearing
- Height and weight
- Blood pressure
- Abdominal condition
- Heart and lungs
- Skin condition
- Limb movement
Other tests can include lab exams and chest X-rays. These are for the following:
- Syphilis (for those 15 years of age and over)
- Urinalysis (for people over 5 years old)
- HIV (for those 15 years of age and over)
- Creatinine (for those 15 years of age and over)
The overall exam takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on whether additional testing is required.
7. Will I need an X-ray if I am pregnant?
A chest X-ray is a mandatory component of the immigration medical exam according to the IRCC. It is essential for screening public health risks such as tuberculosis.
If you are pregnant, the panel physician will discuss the options with you regarding when to undergo the chest X-ray.
You will be given the choice of completing the X-ray during or after pregnancy. Our expert panel physicians will discuss with you the risks and benefits of both options based on your individual circumstances.
8. Can I bring a chaperone?
Individuals can bring a chaperone to the appointment who can remain with them throughout the exam. A staff member will be happy to stay present during the exam to ensure your comfort.
9. Can I get a copy of the results?
Yes. After your exam, you can request a copy of your results from Immigration Medical Toronto for a fee of $20.00 CAD. This will give you a full eMedical submission of your results, but it’s optional. If there are any abnormal findings, we will review them with you, and all the necessary documents for your application will be provided to you during your visit.
Our office locations are fully eMedical enabled, allowing us to submit results directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. They typically receive the results within 3–10 days.
10. What happens if I miss my appointment?
If you cannot make it to your appointment, you can reschedule with our office. However, you must contact our office immediately to prevent application processing delays or to reschedule
11. What do I do after the exam?
After completing the IME, our panel physicians will submit it directly to the IRCC. If you completed an upfront medical exam, you may need to provide proof of your medical exam. You must also submit the other required areas of your immigration application and then wait for a decision.
It’s important to promptly respond to any additional information requests from the IRCC during processing. If there are any further requests for a medical examination, you should visit our panel physician’s office again.
If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your IME results, feel free to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or your panel physician for assistance.
12. What are the common reasons for further testing?
Sometimes, there may be irregularities in your test results that prompt the IRCC to ask for additional investigations. However, this is not common.
Typical reasons for this include abnormalities in your chest x-ray or bloodwork. If the IRCC requests further testing, they will issue you a furtherance request to return to see our panel physicians for follow-up.
Our panel physicians have extensive experience in managing and promptly completing further testing to ensure not only your medical health but also expedite the completion of your medical file.
Why choose Immigration Medical Toronto?
Immigration Medical Toronto specializes in Immigration Medical Exams for permanent/temporary Canadian residents and immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area. IRCC Panel Physicians can conduct an IME for:
- Express entry
- Permanent residency
- Student visa
- Refugee application
- Visitor visa
- Sponsorship application
Our clinic contains everything required to complete the IME and is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. We are eMedical enabled, allowing for the direct submission and expediency of your results.
To book your appointment, book directly online at www.immigrationmedtoronto.com or contact our office at 416-463-2438 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or during weekends between 9:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. You can also email us at admin@immigrationmedtoronto.com or fill out our online form.