Category Immigration Medical Exam

A doctor reviewing a chest X-ray on a light board with a patient during a Canadian immigration medical exam tuberculosis screening

Immigration Medical Exam and Tuberculosis: Tests, Results, and What Happens Next

Tuberculosis is the primary public health condition IRCC screens for at the Canadian immigration medical exam — and the only condition that triggers a mandatory post-arrival monitoring requirement. This guide explains what the chest X-ray checks for, what each of the three possible TB-related results means for your application, and exactly what the medical surveillance process looks like if inactive tuberculosis is found.

A world map with countries highlighted in red and teal indicating which countries require an immigration medical exam for Canadian immigration as of the November 2025 IRCC update

Countries That Require a Medical Exam for Canadian Immigration (Updated November 2025)

IRCC updated its designated country list for immigration medical exams in November 2025 — adding Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela while removing Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, and Taiwan. More than 100 countries remain on the list. This guide explains how the country list works, which three situations trigger the IME requirement for temporary residents, and what to do if your country is on the list.

A world map with red location pins across multiple continents and a Canadian maple leaf over Canada illustrating that IRCC-approved panel physicians are available worldwide for the Canadian immigration medical exam

Can I Choose Any Panel Physician in the World?

IRCC allows you to complete your Canadian immigration medical exam with any approved panel physician anywhere in the world — not just in your home country or in Canada. This guide explains how the global choice works in practice, when it makes sense to use a physician abroad, what to tell the clinic when booking outside your home country, and how to find an approved physician in any country worldwide.

A doctor handing a document to a patient at a clinic reception desk with a clock and calendar visible on the wall representing the Canadian immigration medical exam duration and 12-month results validity period

How Long Does the Canadian Immigration Medical Exam Take? And How Long Are Results Valid?

Two timing questions matter most when planning your Canadian immigration medical exam: how long will the appointment take, and how long will your results stay valid? This guide answers both — plus how quickly results reach IRCC, what happens if they expire before your application is decided, and how to time your exam correctly for Express Entry, family sponsorship, and permit applications.