Medical:
I did upfront medical. There's another method - waiting for CIC's instruction to go for medicals. For some CIC streams, example family class applicants can use that method only. However, for Provincial nomination program (PNP) thru Express Entry (EE), upfront is the preferred method. I don't know how to use the other method. Please do your own research if you want to try it. A phone call to panel clinic can clarify this.
In upfront medical test, the panel doctor will do a complete medical examination and upload the results to eMedical portal. EMedical is an electronic library that stores and updates all our medical results for immigration purposes. Not only Canada Immigration but Australia and New Zealand immigration departments use the same system. So, when you book your appointments and when you go there for medical you need to specify to the receptionist which country you are applying for and also say you are doing 'upfront medical'.
You'll need to take your Passport (PP) as the ID proof. Other documents can be used but it's better to use PP as proof document wherever applicable. If your family is with you, go for medical at the same date and to the same panel clinic to avoid confusion in future. I have no information on how to do medical if you're in one country (probably working abroad) while your family members are living in your home country, for example. Please do your own research if this applies to you. Again, calling the panel clinic can clarify this.
Apart from the PP, the panel clinic staff will ask you for a letter from CIC. You may show the ITA or nomination letter. In medicals, the results interpretation varies depending on visa class you are applying. They will need you ITA letter only to find your visa class. They'll not take your EE profile number and send the results to CIC. The system doesn't work like that. So, make sure you mention clearly to the staff or the doctor there that you are applying to Canada as economic class visa thru PNP. If you want to be specific say 'non-EDE worker class'. Non-EDE stands for Non-excessive demand exempt. Usually all economic worker class applicants come under Non-EDE.
Panel clinics' job is to do the medicals according to the protocol and save the results for any immigration department in future to pull your medical details, here it's CIC. When you undergo the medical, a new health file will be opened to store your health history in the eMedical system. The file number is called UMI. Each family member will get their own UMI. UMI - Unified Medical Identifier. Panel doctors can discuss the case history with the CIC medical officer if for instance CIC needs further tests after the initial test but final decision is only from CIC.
After you finish Medical, they'll give tracking sheets; one each for all the family members. You'll scan and sent those sheets to CIC. Make sure 'worker Non-EDE' is mentioned in the tracking sheets. Panel clinics may be eMedical enabled or Paper based. If paper-based they'll give you the page 2 of the IME form which is the equivalent of tracking sheets given in eMedical enabled clinics. Tracking sheet or one page of IME, you'll scan and send what they give you in the clinic to CIC. As simple as that! CIC then uses your UMIs to pick your files and scrutinize your results and decide your medical fitness.
Don't forget to take your passport size photographs to the clinic. They'll take pictures to attach in eMedical system but if any technical issues or if they are paper based, the photo you give them will save time.
Some of you may feel these are unnecessary details and a waste of time! But spending some time now to know these things may prevent unnecessary delays and frustrations later!
All the best to all of you!
Cheers,
Luder
