Temporary policy in Canada exempting from additional medical exams has been extended
Updated: Jan 13, 2022
On December 24, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended the temporary public policy announced in June 2021. In accordance with this policy, some foreign nationals do not need to undergo an additional immigration medical examination when applying for permanent residence (PR) or a permanent resident visa (PRV).
Applicants who already recently completed one and were found to pose no risk to public health will be able to benefit from this extension. The policy was supposed to expire on December 28, 2021. Because of this extension, the policy will continue to be in effect until March 31, 2022.
Applicants from within Canada will benefit from faster application processing and more rapid transition to permanent residence. While reducing public health risks, this policy helps streamline application processing for low-risk in-Canada applicants.
An applicant seeking permanent residence or a visa for permanent residence must have an immigration medical exam or provide a unique medical identification number. If an individual cannot qualify for an exemption, the IRCC will contact him/her to discuss next steps.