MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS LINKED TO YOUR VISA
1. I completed an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) prior to receiving my visa. Do I need another immigration medical exam to travel to Canada if my visa is not expired?
That depends; you must have a valid medical to enter Canada if you:
2. I tried to travel to Canada but I was told by the airline that my visa is not valid; however, my validity date shows that my visa is still valid. Is it because I need a new medical?
Your visa may have been put on an administrative hold if you:
To check your application or status of your visa, click on the following link: IRCCSECUREACCOUNT
If your visa has an administrative hold, it will show in your IRCC secure portal account as being invalid for travel. An e-mail should also have been sent to the e-mail address indicated in your most recent application explaining why your visa is no longer valid for travel, and the steps to take to reactivate your visa.
Starting June 29th, 2021, Panel Physicians across the country resumed upfront medical exams. Please note that the current pandemic has put additional strain on physicians/radiologist and we ask for your patience and understanding while trying to schedule an appointment.
Do not present yourself in person to a Panel Physician and/or radiologist clinic without an appointment, as you will be advised to leave and make an appointment.
Due to increased volumes, please expect delays in scheduling appointments surpassing our 10 working day service standard. Note that we are increasing capacity across our network as/if required.
The letter for an expired medical result reads:
You are receiving this notification because our records show that your medical examination results have expired. This means you cannot travel to Canada.
You must have valid immigration medical examination results to travel to Canada if you either
If you are traveling with family members, please make sure their medical exams are also valid.
If you pass your medical exam, you will receive another letter from IRCC advising you that may proceed with your travel plan to Canada. Please make sure you meet all the requirements as a student or worker prior to travelling to Canada.
4. I no longer have access to my IRCC secure account. How do I gain access?
Please find answers regarding your IRCC secure account at the following link: HELPCENTRE
If you have just reset your account because you lost your username and/or password, as a security measure we need to ask you questions about the application you submitted before we give you access to it.
To link an application, you have in progress to your account, sign in to your account and click on “Link application to this account” under the heading “What would you like to do today?”
You will have to provide specific information about the application you would like to access. Have a copy of your application form on hand, as you will have to enter the information exactly as you did on your application form
5. What if I used an authorized representative or an agent to submit my application?
Authorized representatives have their own dedicated portal and can provide you with information regarding your visa and its validity for travel. If you used a paid representative, make sure to follow up with them directly for information on your application or your visa.
6. What if I am no longer in contact with the representative/agent who submitted my application?
Your application will be linked to the contact information entered at the time of application. If you used an unauthorized representative/agent who will not provide you with information regarding your account, IRCC will not be able to assist you.
Access to your personal information will only be shared if you can verify the information provided at the time your application was submitted.
You should never use a representative that is not authorized. Find out who is an authorized representative by reviewing the information in the following link: AUTHORIZEDREPRESENTATIVES
1. I completed an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) prior to receiving my visa. Do I need another immigration medical exam to travel to Canada if my visa is not expired?
That depends; you must have a valid medical to enter Canada if you:
- Indicated in your application that your stay in Canada was longer than 6 months;
- Have not yet entered Canada; AND
- Have lived for 6 months or longer in one or more of the countries listed in the link here and are still planning to stay in Canada for longer than 6 months.
2. I tried to travel to Canada but I was told by the airline that my visa is not valid; however, my validity date shows that my visa is still valid. Is it because I need a new medical?
Your visa may have been put on an administrative hold if you:
- Have not entered Canada AND
- Indicated in your application that your stay in Canada was longer than 6 months and your medical is no longer valid because 12 months has passed since your medical was assessed AND
- Are showing that you reside in a country where a medical exam is required OR
- Information was received that you no longer meet the requirements to enter Canada.
To check your application or status of your visa, click on the following link: IRCCSECUREACCOUNT
If your visa has an administrative hold, it will show in your IRCC secure portal account as being invalid for travel. An e-mail should also have been sent to the e-mail address indicated in your most recent application explaining why your visa is no longer valid for travel, and the steps to take to reactivate your visa.
Starting June 29th, 2021, Panel Physicians across the country resumed upfront medical exams. Please note that the current pandemic has put additional strain on physicians/radiologist and we ask for your patience and understanding while trying to schedule an appointment.
Do not present yourself in person to a Panel Physician and/or radiologist clinic without an appointment, as you will be advised to leave and make an appointment.
Due to increased volumes, please expect delays in scheduling appointments surpassing our 10 working day service standard. Note that we are increasing capacity across our network as/if required.
The letter for an expired medical result reads:
You are receiving this notification because our records show that your medical examination results have expired. This means you cannot travel to Canada.
You must have valid immigration medical examination results to travel to Canada if you either
- have been in a designated country/territory for more than 6 months OR
- plan to study or work in a health care, child or elder care, or primary or secondary education setting.
If you are traveling with family members, please make sure their medical exams are also valid.
If you pass your medical exam, you will receive another letter from IRCC advising you that may proceed with your travel plan to Canada. Please make sure you meet all the requirements as a student or worker prior to travelling to Canada.
4. I no longer have access to my IRCC secure account. How do I gain access?
Please find answers regarding your IRCC secure account at the following link: HELPCENTRE
If you have just reset your account because you lost your username and/or password, as a security measure we need to ask you questions about the application you submitted before we give you access to it.
To link an application, you have in progress to your account, sign in to your account and click on “Link application to this account” under the heading “What would you like to do today?”
You will have to provide specific information about the application you would like to access. Have a copy of your application form on hand, as you will have to enter the information exactly as you did on your application form
5. What if I used an authorized representative or an agent to submit my application?
Authorized representatives have their own dedicated portal and can provide you with information regarding your visa and its validity for travel. If you used a paid representative, make sure to follow up with them directly for information on your application or your visa.
6. What if I am no longer in contact with the representative/agent who submitted my application?
Your application will be linked to the contact information entered at the time of application. If you used an unauthorized representative/agent who will not provide you with information regarding your account, IRCC will not be able to assist you.
Access to your personal information will only be shared if you can verify the information provided at the time your application was submitted.
You should never use a representative that is not authorized. Find out who is an authorized representative by reviewing the information in the following link: AUTHORIZEDREPRESENTATIVES