You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada. Your dependants must also pass a medical examination even if they are not coming with you.

Applications for permanent residence will not be accepted if that person’s health:

• is a danger to public health or safety; or
• would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.

Instructions on how to take the medical examination will normally be sent to you after you submit your application to the visa office.

You can only use your examination results in your application for 12 months from when you had the examination. If you are not admitted to Canada as a permanent resident within this time, you will be required to undergo another examination.

Your own doctor cannot do the medical examination. You must see a physician on Canada’s list of Designated Medical Practitioners.

Medical reports and x-rays for the medical examination become the property of the Canadian Immigration Medical Authorities and cannot be returned to you.

The doctor will not tell you the results of the medical examination. The doctor will let you know if you have a health-related problem.

The designated medical practitioner does not make the final decision. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will make the final decision on whether or not you have passed your medical examination for immigration purposes.

The visa office will tell you in writing if there is a problem with your medical examination.

(tourists, students and temporary foreign workers)

• Determine if you need a medical examination
• Jobs for which you need a medical examination
• Plan your medical examination

If the duration of your visit is six months or less:

Generally, no medical examination is required.

However, a medical examination is required if you intend to work in an occupation in which the protection of public health is essential. Please see Jobs for which you need a medical examination for more information.

If the duration of your visit is more than six months:

You will need a medical examination if:

you have resided or stayed temporarily for six or more consecutive months in a designated country or territory in the one year immediately preceding the date you sought entry into Canada. This applies even if you are a citizen of a country where you do not require a visa to enter Canada.

you are coming to Canada to work in an occupation in which the protection of public health is essential. See Jobs for which you need a medical examination for more information.

Depending on your intended occupation while in Canada, certain temporary foreign workers are required to undergo a medical examination. The following list provides examples of such occupations. This list is not all-inclusive.