Starting August 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement a new policy for Express Entry applicants: completing a medical exam before submitting your permanent residence application (upfront medical exam) will be mandatory.
What Has Changed?
- Previously, applicants submitted their permanent residence applications first and received medical exam instructions from IRCC afterward.
- Now, Express Entry applicants must complete the medical exam first, then submit their application.
- This requirement applies only to applications dated August 21, 2025, or later. Other permanent residence streams will continue following the previous process .
Who May Be Exempt?
If you are in Canada and have completed an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) within the past five years that showed low or no risk, you may enter your previous IME number or medical identifier in your application. If IRCC cannot use your previous results, you will receive instructions to complete a new medical exam.
Key Points About the New Medical Exam Requirement
- The exam must be completed by a Panel Physician approved by IRCC — your personal or family doctor cannot perform this exam.
- All family members must undergo the medical exam, even if they are not accompanying the main applicant.
- Medical exam results are valid for 12 months; if you do not receive permanent residence within this period, you may need to repeat the exam.
- Once your results are uploaded, they may not appear as updated in the system until your application is processed.
Why This Change?
The shift to requiring an upfront medical exam is designed to streamline application processing and confirm applicants’ health status at the start of the immigration process. This aims to reduce post-submission delays and speed up decision times.
Conclusion
If you are applying for Express Entry on or after August 21, 2025:
- Complete your Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with an IRCC-approved Panel Physician before submitting your application.
- Include the “upfront medical report” or IME number in your application.
- If you completed a medical exam within the last five years and it was assessed as low risk, you may be exempt (subject to IRCC approval).
Why Choose Uniland?
- Our team stays fully up to date with the latest IRCC changes and guides you accurately through your immigration journey.
- With our experience and advice, you can minimize errors and ensure your application process is faster and more efficient.
- We are committed to providing exceptional client satisfaction and peace of mind, from your first step until you receive your permanent residence.
For expert guidance or tailored advice, contact Uniland today, we’re not just behind a desk; we walk with you every step of the way on your immigration journey.
