Ready, Set, Go! Your Express Entry PR Starts with a Medical Exam
Dreaming of permanent residency in Canada? Great news—
your journey just got streamlined. As of
August 21, 2025,
Express Entry applicants must now complete an
upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before submitting their permanent residence (PR) application.
This update from
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ensures applications are complete at the time of submission, reducing delays and helping applicants present a more polished profile. For many, this will feel like a
game-changer in the immigration process.
The Latest Game-Changer in Express Entry
Before this update, candidates submitted their PR application and then waited for IRCC to request their medical exam. Now, the rules are clear: you must do the exam
first, and then upload the proof when filing your application.
👉 This applies only to
Express Entry candidates submitting applications on or after August 21, 2025. Other PR programs remain unaffected.
If you’re unsure where to begin, reaching out to an
Immigration Consultant in Canada can help you navigate this change with clarity.
Who’s Exempt from the Medical Requirement?
IRCC has provided some flexibility. You may be
exempt from taking a new exam if:
- You live in Canada, and
- You had an IME within the last 5 years, and
- Your results showed you posed no public health or safety risk.
If you meet all these conditions, you can
reuse your old medical results for your Express Entry application. IRCC has confirmed this policy will remain valid until at least
October 5, 2029.
🔗 For full exemption details, check IRCC’s official page:
Medical exams for permanent residence.
Who Needs to Take It?
The medical exam isn’t just for the primary applicant—it covers the
whole family:
- The principal applicant
- The spouse or common-law partner
- All dependent children (even if not accompanying you to Canada)
Families often get stuck here, so working with an
Immigration Consultant in Toronto can save time and prevent errors.
How to Find the Right Doctor
The IME must be completed by a
panel physician approved by IRCC—not your family doctor.
Here’s the process:
- Go to IRCC’s official Panel Physicians list and select a doctor near you.
- Book an appointment directly.
- Complete your exam.
- The doctor will submit your results electronically and provide you with an IMM 1017B form or eMedical sheet to upload with your PR application.
If you’re filing from Ontario, many of our clients work with panel physicians near Mississauga or Brampton—locations where we, as experienced
immigration consultants, frequently assist applicants.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
To avoid any hiccups, bring:
- A valid passport or photo ID
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses if used
- Medical history reports and prescriptions
- A list of current medications
The exam includes:
- Medical history questions
- Physical exam (height, weight, vision, hearing, heart, lungs, skin)
- Lab tests & chest X-ray (depending on age)
- Optional vaccinations (voluntary, with consent recorded)
🔗 Learn more at:
Government of Canada – What to Expect in a Medical Exam.
Applicants in southwestern Ontario often choose a trusted
Immigration Consultant in Kitchener or
Immigration Consultant in London Ontario to help them prepare the correct medical documents.
Timing & Costs
- After receiving your Invitation to Apply (ITA), you generally have 60 days to submit your PR application.
- That means you must book your exam immediately to avoid delays.
- Costs range from CAD $140–280 per person, depending on the location and required tests.
In busy regions like
Scarborough, working with a skilled
Immigration Consultant in Scarborough can ensure you’re scheduled quickly and your results are uploaded correctly.
What Happens After the Exam?
Your doctor will give you a
proof document (IMM 1017B or eMedical sheet). Attach this to your application as evidence.
- Your results are valid for 12 months.
- If you don’t land in Canada before they expire, you may need another IME.
What If You Have a Medical Condition?
Don’t panic. IRCC assesses three factors:
- Whether your condition poses a public health risk
- Whether it poses a public safety risk
- Whether treatment could cause an excessive demand on Canadian health or social services
Currently, the cost threshold is
CAD $27,162/year.
If your condition is stable, treated, and well-documented, approval is still possible.
FAQs – Upfront Medical Exam for Express Entry
1. Do I need to wait for ITA before booking my exam?
No—you can book your IME as soon as you’re ready, but remember the 12-month validity. Time it around your ITA to avoid repeating it.
2. Can my family doctor do the exam?
No. Only an IRCC-approved
panel physician can conduct your IME.
3. What if I already had an IME for my work permit?
You may be able to
reuse it, provided it’s less than 5 years old and you’re low-risk.
4. What happens if I don’t submit my IME?
Your application will be considered
incomplete and returned.
5. Do dependent children need the IME even if they’re not coming?
Yes. All dependents listed in your application must undergo a medical exam.
Final Words: Take Charge of Your PR Journey
The new
upfront medical exam rule gives applicants greater control and helps IRCC streamline approvals. By completing your exam early, you’ll ensure your application is
clean, strong, and ready for success.
If you’re feeling uncertain about the steps, Sayal Immigration’s team of licensed professionals can guide you. Whether you’re looking for an
Immigration Consultant in Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Kitchener, London Ontario, or Scarborough, our team is here to
maximize your success rate.
👉 The path to permanent residency in Canada is exciting. Take the medical exam requirement seriously—and your PR dream is just around the corner.
