this is a long post please read on and weigh the pros and cons.
To your question: Panel doctors won't be able to give you advice if this will help with (any) immigration category. all they need is information to categorize your parents medical in the system. As long as you pay the fee you are entitled to do upfront for supervisa. Make sure it's non-EDE.
And I read that you want to lower the possibility of your parents to go to a distant location again for medicals. Personally I don't think getting an upfront medical is the problem. The problem is what happens after that. There are several possible outcomes if you choose to go down the upfront supervisa medical path.
1. Medical officer finds the record and links the examination at first review. Medical request is not issued. Medical passed. (Perfect!)
2. MO doesn't locate the file. Request issued. You submit webform and explanation of the situation. MO make the link and review medical. Medical passed. (Potential delay of process. But purpose served.)
3. MO doesn't locate the file. Request issued. You submit webform and explanation of the situation. MO make the link and review medical. Other tests deemed necessary. Your parents need another visit to the hospital. (not ideal. but avoided one trip. Potential delay of process, but purpose served)
4. MO doesn't locate the file. Request issued. You submit webform and explanation of the situation. MO cannot (or will not, see below handbook) make the link. Your parents need another visit to the hospital. (wasted money and time. Delay of process)
Obviously many has reported their supervisa medical is accepted for PGP. But there might be silent observers who hit the bump on the road. Hope you can receive medical request before your parents' trip and save yourself the headache and anxiety.
Here is more info on Upfront medical. Please read before you make your decision.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/panel-members-guide.html#sec1.5.9
Upfront Medical Report – Client Biodata and Summary (IMM 1017B UPFRONT)
(See our sample IMM 1017B UPFRONT form in
Appendix III.)
An upfront medical is an IME performed when an applicant reports to a panel physician with no paper Medical Report – Client Biodata and Summary (IMM 1017) or file in the eMedical system. Upfront medical examinations are generally permitted for students, visitors and workers who are applying to be temporary residents of Canada.
Only certain applicants are permitted to undergo an upfront medical. When it is not possible to confirm whether an applicant is permitted an upfront medical, you should perform one and indicate that the applicant is a “worker”. Please note that all members of an application should be identified under the same category. Therefore, if the principal applicant (say, the mother) is a worker, all children on the application should also be identified as workers.
These exams do not apply to family members being sponsored by a permanent resident of Canada. Whenever IRCC makes changes to the rules about individuals who can undergo an upfront medical, panel physicians are notified by their RMO.
About EDE and non-EDE
Excessive demand exempt (EDE) applicants
EDE applicants are people who cannot be deemed inadmissible on the grounds that they would place an excessive demand on publicly funded Canadian health and social services. EDE applicants include refugees, refugee claimants, individuals with protected person status, and certain clients in the family classes.
However, EDE clients are assessed for:
- danger to public health
- danger to public safety
Non-EDE applicants
Non-EDE applicants are assessed for:
- danger to public health
- danger to public safety
- excessive demand on publicly funded Canadian health and social services
