Effective October 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declared significant changes to the application process for Express Entry candidates. These people, who are generally Federal Laborers Class (FSWC) and Federal Trade Commission (FSTC) individuals, will not be required to complete a medical examination. (UFM) is added at the time of application. The decision aims to streamline the process and facilitate smoother management of economic immigration applications.
Express Entry is a fast-track system tailored to manage immigration applications through various economic programs that primarily target skilled workers and tradespersons. An essential component of this process is the immigration medical examination (IME), which ensures that these potential immigrants pose no risk to public health or safety.
With this new policy, applicants will be asked to await further instructions regarding when an IME will be required instead of automatically submitting it along with their application. This change will impact applications received on or after October 1, 2023. Additionally, IRCC processing offices have been directed not to reject applications that lack the UFM, preventing incomplete application issues.
For applicants who have previously undergone an IME, they must now include a photocopy of this examination in the per-existing upload field designated for IMEs. In cases where an applicant has never completed an IME, they should instead upload a blank document.
Processing offices are responsible for conducting integrated searches for any previously completed IMEs and associating them with the respective application accordingly. In instances where no IME is found and the temporary public policy (TPP) cannot be applied, instructions for completing an IME will be sent to the applicant.
Certain individuals may be exempt from completing another IME if they meet all of the following criteria:
- They have applied or are currently applying for permanent or temporary residence.
- They already reside in Canada.
- The previous IME, completed within the past five years, indicated a low risk or no risk to public health and safety.
This significant change in Express Entry’s application process demonstrates Canada’s commitment to refining and adapting its immigration policies, aiming to create an efficient system that benefits both immigrants and Canadian society alike.
Types of Medical Exams for Immigration
- Standard Medical Exam
- Streamlined Medical Exam
Streamlined Medical Exam Overview
The streamlined medical exam is a simplified medical exam requested during urgent operational situations, such as humanitarian crises, and in other exceptional cases determined by IRCC. Applicants cannot request a specific type of medical exam, as the relevant authorities will determine the necessary examination.
Panel Physicians and Medical Exams
Medical exams must be conducted by a doctor from the list of panel physicians, and applicants’ personal doctors are not eligible to perform these exams. Although panel physicians carry out the assessments, the final decision regarding the medical exam is made by IRCC officials.
Instructions for Getting a Medical Exam
As of October 1, 2023, applicants are no longer required to undergo an upfront medical examination before submitting their permanent residence application through Express Entry. Instead, after submitting a complete application, applicants will receive instructions on obtaining their medical exam. It is crucial to wait for these instructions before seeking an examination.
Required Documents for Medical Exam Appointments
When attending a medical exam appointment, applicants must bring:
- Proper identification (preferably a passport)
- Eye glasses or contact lenses (if applicable)
- Previous medical reports or test results (if available)
- A list of current medications
- The Medical Report form (IMM 1017E or IMM 1020E) if not getting an upfront medical exam
- Four recent photographs, if the panel physician doesn’t use eMedical
Conclusion
Immigration medical exams are an essential part of the application process for permanent residence. There are two types of exams: the standard medical exam and the streamlined medical exam. The streamlined exam is only requested during specific urgent circumstances. Applicants must see an approved panel physician for their medical exam, and proper identification is needed during the appointment. Essential items to bring include a passport or other approved identification document, eye glasses or contact lenses if applicable, medical reports, a list of current medications, the Medical Report form (if not receiving an upfront medical exam), and four recent photographs if the panel physician doesn’t use eMedical. Always follow the given instructions to prevent delays or refusal of your application.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, exclusively written and published by IntraSource. The published information is sourced from various trusted platforms, such as news agencies and online media, mainly the Government of Canada and Canadian online media/websites, and should not be considered as legal or professional advice. IRCC’s requirements may change, so consult a lawyer/s and receive professional advice before making decisions or applications.
