Introduction
One of the first questions applicants ask when preparing for their Canadian immigration medical exam is simple: how much is this going to cost?
The honest answer is that there is no single fixed price. IRCC does not set a national fee — each panel physician sets their own rates, and what you pay depends on your age, which tests are required, the city you are in, and the clinic you choose. Costs in Canada also differ from costs abroad.
This guide gives you a clear picture of what to expect: what the exam includes, how much each component costs, how prices vary across Canada, what families should budget, and when your costs might be covered.
For a full overview of the exam process itself, see our complete guide to the Canadian immigration medical exam.
Why there is no fixed price
IRCC authorizes panel physicians to conduct immigration medical exams but does not regulate what they charge. Each clinic sets its own fee schedule based on local operating costs, lab arrangements, and whether tests are done on-site or referred elsewhere.
This means two clinics in the same city can have noticeably different prices. It also means the only way to know the exact cost for your appointment is to contact the clinic directly before you book.
The IRCC Doctors directory lists panel physicians across Canada and internationally — many include pricing information directly on their profile, making it easy to compare before you commit.
What the exam includes — and what drives the cost
The total cost of your immigration medical exam depends on which components are required for your age group. IRCC mandates different tests at different ages, so a child’s exam costs less than an adult’s.
Here is what is required by age, and the approximate cost of each component at Canadian clinics in 2026:
Physical examination
Required for all applicants regardless of age. This covers identity verification, medical history questionnaire, and the full physical assessment — vision, hearing, heart, lungs, abdomen, and more.
Approximate cost: CAD $150–$200
Urine test
Required for applicants aged 5 and older. Screens for kidney disease and certain infections.
Approximate cost: Often bundled into the exam fee, or CAD $20–$40 as a separate charge
Chest X-ray
Required for applicants aged 11 and older, including pregnant applicants (who receive a lead shield). Screens for active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Approximate cost: CAD $50–$95
Blood tests
Required for applicants aged 15 and older. Screens for HIV and syphilis. Some clinics also include a serum creatinine test to check kidney function.
Approximate cost: CAD $80–$120
Total cost by age group (Canadian clinics, 2026)
| Age group | Tests required | Approximate total |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Physical exam only | CAD $150–$200 |
| 5–10 | Physical + urine | CAD $150–$220 |
| 11–14 | Physical + urine + X-ray | CAD $200–$300 |
| 15 and older | Physical + urine + X-ray + blood | CAD $250–$400 |
These are ranges based on current Canadian clinic pricing. Your actual cost may fall above or below these figures depending on your clinic and location.
How costs vary across Canada
Prices are broadly consistent across Canadian provinces, but there is variation between individual clinics — even within the same city. The differences usually come down to whether labs and X-rays are done on-site or referred out, and how the clinic structures its fee schedule.
As a guide based on publicly listed clinic prices in 2026:
Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton, Mississauga) Toronto-area clinics are among the most competitive in the country given the high volume of immigration applicants. Adult all-in prices typically range from CAD $250 to $350. Some clinics charge separately for each component; others bundle everything.
British Columbia (Vancouver) Vancouver clinics are comparable to Ontario in price. One established clinic on Main Street charges CAD $200 for the physical exam plus CAD $120 for blood tests (age 15+) and CAD $95 for the X-ray — approximately CAD $415 all-in for an adult. Smaller clinics may be slightly less.
Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton) Alberta pricing is similar to Ontario and BC. Adult all-in costs typically run CAD $270–$380.
Quebec (Montreal, Laval, Quebec City) Quebec has a good concentration of panel physicians. English-language clinics are available in Montreal. Pricing is broadly in line with the national average.
Smaller cities and rural areas Clinics in smaller cities and towns sometimes charge slightly more due to lower patient volume. If you live in a rural area, you may find it worthwhile to travel to a major city clinic — the savings can offset the travel cost, and appointment availability is often better.
The best approach is to use the IRCC Doctors directory to find panel physicians in your area, then call two or three to compare pricing before booking.
What families should budget
If you are applying with a spouse and children, costs add up quickly. Every family member named in your application must complete the IME — including non-accompanying dependants who are not moving to Canada with you.
Here is an example budget for a family of four applying through Express Entry in 2026:
| Person | Age | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Principal applicant | 35 | CAD $300 |
| Spouse | 32 | CAD $300 |
| Child 1 | 10 | CAD $250 |
| Child 2 | 6 | CAD $200 |
| Total | CAD $1,050 |
This is a mid-range estimate. A family in a high-cost city, or one where additional tests are ordered, could pay more. A family using a lower-cost clinic could pay less.
If you are doing upfront medicals as part of an Express Entry application, factor this cost into your overall application budget alongside government fees, language tests, and credential assessments.
Additional costs to know about
Specialist referrals
If the panel physician identifies something during your exam that requires further assessment, they may refer you to a specialist. Specialist fees are not included in the standard exam cost and vary widely depending on the type of specialist and location. You pay these costs yourself.
Furtherance appointments
If IRCC requests additional testing after your initial exam — known as a furtherance — you will need to return to the clinic. Clinics typically charge a separate fee for furtherance appointments, ranging from approximately CAD $40 to $90 depending on the clinic.
Re-medical
If your IME results expire (after 12 months) before your application is finalized, IRCC will request a re-medical. This is a full new exam at the standard cost.
Vaccinations
Vaccination records are reviewed at your appointment. If your records are incomplete, the physician may recommend vaccinations. These are optional and charged separately — they are not part of the standard IME fee.
Is the immigration medical exam covered by insurance?
Provincial health insurance: No. The immigration medical exam is classified as a non-medically necessary service by all provincial and territorial health authorities. OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC, AHCIP in Alberta — none of them cover it. You pay out of pocket regardless of your current immigration or health insurance status.
Private health insurance: Most private health insurance plans also exclude immigration medical exams, as they are administrative rather than medical procedures. Check your policy, but do not count on coverage.
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP): Refugee claimants and certain protected persons may have their immigration medical exam covered through the IFHP administered by Blue Cross. As of May 1, 2026, IFHP introduced co-payments for some supplemental health services — however, immigration medical examinations remain fully covered at no cost to eligible IFHP beneficiaries. Bring your IFHP documentation to your appointment so the clinic can verify your coverage before you are charged.
How to find the best price
Three practical steps to avoid overpaying:
1. Use the directory to shortlist clinics. The IRCC Doctors directory lets you search by city and filter by languages spoken. Many clinics list their fees directly on their profile.
2. Call two or three clinics before booking. Ask for the total price for your age group including all components — physical exam, X-ray, blood tests, and urine test. Ask whether labs are done on-site or referred out (off-site referrals can add cost and time).
3. Check payment methods before you go. Some clinics accept only cash and debit — credit cards are not accepted at all clinics. Confirm payment options when you book so you are not caught short on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to compare prices and book?
Use the IRCC Doctors directory to find panel physicians near you, view pricing where listed, and contact clinics directly to confirm costs before your appointment.
Not sure what the exam involves or how to prepare? Read our immigration medical exam preparation guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of what to bring and what to expect on the day.
Last updated: May 2026. Clinic prices change without notice — always confirm the current fee directly with your chosen panel physician before your appointment.