In the event that you plan to travel to study, work or reside temporarily in Canada, It’s important to be aware of recent changes to the rules for medical exams for applicants with temporary residency. From the 3rd of November 2025, the Canadian government’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated their list of nations that residents are required to undergo an immigration medical exam (IME) in order to complete the application procedure.
This test helps safeguard the public’s health and ensures that those traveling in to Canada can be healthy. If you’re seeking an academic permits, work permit or a visa for a temporary period, these changes could affect you based on your current journey or residency history. Being aware of these changes will help you make your application as accurate as possible and avoid delay or unexpected surprises.
The Update in Plain English
What has changed in the rules for medical exams? The IRCC changed its list of countries which requires applicants to take the Immigration Medical Examination if they had lived or traveled to certain countries for more than six months within the twelve months prior to their arrival in Canada. If you’ve been within Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay or Venezuela and you are eligible, you must pass an IME to be able to apply to be granted temporary residence. If, on the other hand, you’ve resided within Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania or Taiwan for up to six months You no longer have to pass the medical examination.
The rules apply to those who intend to remain in Canada for longer than six months. This includes applicants for work permits, student permits or visitor visas for longer than half a year. When your visa application is made on or before November 3rd, 2025, these changes will not have an impact on the application process.
Canada New Medical Exam Rules Overview
| Key Point | Details |
| Effective Date | November 3, 2025 |
| Applies To | Temporary residents — work, study, or visitor visa over 6 months |
| Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
| New IME Required Countries | Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela |
| Countries Removed (No IME Needed) | Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, Taiwan |
| IME Validity | Up to 5 years if no public health risk |
| If You Skip IME | Visa or permit may be rejected |
| IME Includes | Medical checkup, chest X-ray, lab tests |
| Purpose | Protect Canada’s public health and ensure safe entry |
| Official Website | https://www.canada.ca/ |
Why Canada IME Important For You?
If you’re from or recently resided in these countries anticipate completing the medical examination in your application for a visa. The exam is designed to screen for conditions that could cause health risks for the public or burden the health system of Canada. If you’ve been a part of the countries that were removed in the past, you could be exempt from the test making it easier to apply for the exam.
Additionally, certain applicants seeking permanent residence in the framework of Express Entry must now submit the results of their medical exam prior to the application deadline, speeding overall processing, however it requires early preparation. If you’ve already passed your test within the last five years and it revealed little or no risk of health it could be exempt from having to take it again.
What is Canada Immigration Medical Exam (IME)?
A IME will be a medical exam performed by a panel doctor. During the examination the doctor will go over the medical records of you, carry out an examination of your body and may also conduct chest X-rays or lab tests particularly to determine if you have tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. The test protects you as well as your fellow Canadian population by ensuring that people who enter Canada are healthy and meet the standards of health.
Canada’s updated medical exam regulations for residents who are temporary reflect the nation’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens while welcoming visitors, workers and students. If you are planning to have a short stay, it is important to determine whether these changes impact your requirements to apply. Understanding whether you require an exam for medical reasons and preparing for it ahead of time will help you avoid any delays or problems during the process of applying for a visa. Be aware that these tests guarantee the safety of everyone as well as yours throughout your time in Canada. Be up-to-date and organized to ensure the most of your Canadian temporary residence process easy and enjoyable.
FAQ’s
Q1: What can I tell if I’m required to undergo a Canada medical test?
It is required for those who plan to stay in Canada for longer than six months and been a resident or visitor to any countries on the latest IME list for a period of six or more consecutive months during the past year prior to applying.
Q2 What happens if I fail the Canada medical test?
Inability to submit the IME at the time it is required could cause the rejection the visa application or permit which is why it’s important to adhere to this requirement with care.
Q3: Is it possible to apply an earlier medical exam results or do I need to get a fresh one?
If your prior IME was taken in the last five years, and it was able to determine that you have an extremely low or zero threat to health for the public then you could be exempt from having to retake the test. In other cases, a new exam is required.
Hi, I’m Harikesh, a content writer at cgncollege.com. I write engaging and informative articles covering the latest news, India, and global updates. My goal is to keep readers informed with accurate and insightful stories from around the world.
