On This Page You Will Find
- What IRCC has clarified about the immigration medical exam exemption
- Who qualifies to reuse a previous medical examination
- How the rules affect Express Entry applicants
- What happens if an applicant has moved outside Canada
- How to use a previous medical examination when applying
- How long the exemption will remain available
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that applicants must be living in Canada to qualify for an exemption allowing them to reuse an immigration medical examination completed within the previous five years.
The department updated its Express Entry application instructions on September 22, 2026, making the residence requirement explicit for immigration officers assessing permanent residence applications.
The clarification means applicants who previously lived in Canada but have since moved abroad cannot rely on the temporary public policy simply because they completed a medical examination while living in the country.
The exemption itself is not new. Canada introduced the measure in 2022 to reduce unnecessary medical examinations and processing delays. IRCC subsequently extended the policy until October 5, 2029.
However, the updated instructions remove uncertainty about who can benefit, particularly among Express Entry candidates applying for permanent residence from outside Canada.
The change could affect applicants who previously studied or worked in Canada and completed an immigration medical examination before returning to their home country.
What Has IRCC Changed About Immigration Medical Exams?
IRCC updated its operational instructions for assessing whether Express Entry applications contain all the required documents.
The revised guidance makes clear that applicants must be residing in Canada to qualify for the temporary public policy allowing them to reuse a previous immigration medical examination.
The instructions state:
“The applicant must be residing in Canada in order to be eligible for the TPP.”
They also direct officers to follow the normal medical examination process when an applicant resides outside Canada.
This distinction matters because the exemption allows eligible applicants to use medical results from the previous five years, even if their original medical certificate has expired.
Previously, applicants reviewing the Express Entry instructions might not have understood that living in Canada was an essential condition.
The latest clarification brings the operational guidance into line with IRCC’s broader public instructions, which already identify residence in Canada as an eligibility requirement.
It does not introduce a new medical examination requirement or remove the exemption from people who continue to qualify.
Who Qualifies For Canada’s Immigration Medical Exam Exemption?
The temporary public policy allows certain foreign nationals living in Canada to avoid completing another immigration medical examination when submitting an immigration application.
According to IRCC, applicants may qualify if they meet all four conditions:
- They have applied or are applying for permanent residence or temporary residence.
- They already live in Canada.
- They completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years.
- Their previous examination indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety.
Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements. Completing a medical examination within the five-year period does not automatically qualify someone for the exemption.
For example, a foreign worker living in Canada who underwent an immigration medical examination three years ago may qualify when applying for permanent residence.
However, an applicant who completed the same examination before leaving Canada and now lives overseas cannot use the exemption solely on the basis of that earlier examination.
IRCC assesses whether applicants qualify under the policy and may still require a new medical examination where necessary.
How Does The Clarification Affect Express Entry Applicants?
The clarification is particularly relevant to candidates applying through Canada’s Express Entry immigration system.
Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under three federal economic immigration programs:
Applicants who receive an invitation to apply must submit their permanent residence application and supporting documents within 60 days.
Medical examination requirements form part of the application completeness process.
Under IRCC’s current instructions, applicants generally need to provide an upfront medical examination confirmation or qualify for an applicable exemption.
Eligible candidates who already live in Canada and completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years can provide their previous examination details.
However, applicants living outside Canada cannot rely on the five-year exemption and must follow the standard medical examination requirements.
This could be particularly important for former international students and temporary foreign workers who gained Canadian experience but subsequently returned overseas.
Although their previous Canadian experience may help them qualify for permanent residence, it does not allow them to bypass the medical examination rules if they no longer reside in Canada.
What Happens If An Applicant Previously Lived In Canada?
The updated instructions distinguish between applicants currently residing in Canada and those who lived in the country in the past.
For example, consider two Express Entry applicants who completed immigration medical examinations in 2023.
| Applicant | Eligibility under the five-year exemption |
|---|---|
| Applicant A completed an examination in 2023 and continues to live in Canada. | May qualify if all other conditions are met. |
| Applicant B completed an examination in 2023 but moved abroad in 2025. | Does not qualify while residing outside Canada. |
The important factor is not simply where an applicant completed the previous examination.
Instead, IRCC considers whether the applicant currently meets the residence requirement and the other conditions of the temporary public policy.
Applicants who have moved abroad should therefore not assume that a previous medical examination will exempt them from completing another one.
They must follow the normal process unless another applicable exemption or instruction applies.
How Can Eligible Applicants Reuse A Previous Medical Examination?
Applicants who believe they qualify for the Canada immigration medical exam exemption should locate the details of their previous examination.
IRCC instructs eligible applicants to provide either:
- Their previous immigration medical examination (IME) number.
- Their unique medical identifier (UMI) number.
Applicants should include the relevant number in their new application so IRCC can identify their existing medical results.
For Express Entry applications, the number should be included in the electronic application for permanent residence.
IRCC officers can review previous medical examination records and determine whether the temporary public policy applies.
An applicant who qualifies may avoid the expense and inconvenience of booking another examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
However, applicants should not assume that providing an old medical examination number guarantees an exemption.
IRCC may require further medical information or a new examination if the applicant does not meet the policy requirements.
How Long Will The Immigration Medical Exam Exemption Remain In Place?
Canada’s temporary medical examination exemption is currently scheduled to remain available until October 5, 2029.
IRCC originally introduced the measure in October 2022 as part of efforts to reduce immigration processing delays.
The department extended the policy in October 2024, giving eligible applicants several additional years to benefit.
According to IRCC, more than 286,000 applicants benefited from the exemption during its first two years.
The department said the extension would allow it to continue assessing the operational results while working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor public health considerations.
The policy remains temporary, and the government retains the ability to revoke it before its scheduled expiry date.
Applicants should therefore check the latest IRCC requirements before submitting an immigration application.
What Should Canada Immigration Applicants Do Now?
The clarification reinforces the importance of checking medical examination requirements before submitting an application.
Applicants currently living in Canada should review whether they completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years and whether their previous results meet the exemption conditions.
Those who qualify should provide their existing IME or UMI number as instructed.
Applicants residing outside Canada should follow the standard medical examination process rather than relying on an earlier examination completed during a previous stay in Canada.
Express Entry applicants should also pay particular attention to the completeness requirements.
IRCC’s instructions indicate that applications received on or after October 21, 2025, without the required medical examination documentation may be rejected as incomplete.
Candidates should therefore ensure they submit the necessary information or documentation within the application deadline.
Ultimately, the September 22 clarification does not change the purpose of Canada’s immigration medical exam exemption.
It confirms that the measure is intended to help eligible foreign nationals already living in Canada avoid repeating medical examinations unnecessarily, rather than providing a general five-year exemption for everyone who previously underwent an examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exempt from a Canada immigration medical exam?
Certain foreign nationals living in Canada may qualify for an exemption if they completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years. Their previous examination must have indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety. The exemption can apply to eligible permanent and temporary residence applicants.
Can I reuse my immigration medical exam if I have left Canada?
You cannot rely on the temporary five-year medical examination exemption if you now reside outside Canada. IRCC has clarified that applicants must be living in Canada to qualify. If you have returned to your home country after studying or working in Canada, you must follow the normal medical examination requirements.
Do Express Entry applicants need an upfront medical examination?
Express Entry applicants generally need to provide upfront medical examination documentation unless they qualify for an applicable exemption. Eligible applicants living in Canada may use a previous examination completed within five years. Applicants should follow their document checklist carefully because missing required medical information can result in an incomplete application.
How do I use a previous immigration medical examination for my application?
If you qualify for the exemption, include your previous immigration medical examination number or unique medical identifier number in your new application. IRCC can use this information to locate your earlier medical results. Officers will assess whether the temporary public policy applies and whether another examination is necessary.
When does Canada’s five-year immigration medical exam exemption expire?
The temporary public policy is currently scheduled to expire on October 5, 2029. Canada extended the exemption in 2024 after it benefited more than 286,000 applicants during its first two years. However, the government can revoke the policy earlier, so applicants should always check current IRCC requirements before applying.