IRCC Implements New Medical Examination Exemption Policy!

Last Updated On 21 March 2023, 2:45 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Today, IRCC announced implementation of new temporary public policy that exempts certain low-risk, in-Canada foreign nationals from submitting an immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their application when their prior IME has expired.

As per IRCC press release, this will promote faster application processing, allowing qualified foreign nationals to gain temporary or permanent resident status more rapidly.

Applicants will need to give the unique medical identifying number from their prior medical exam when submitting an application. The interim government policy will be in place until October 6, 2024.

This new exemption applies to foreign nationals who have

• a new or pending application for permanent or temporary residence or a permanent resident visa, made from within Canada
• completed an immigration medical exam within the last 5 years and posed no risk to public health or safety, or reported to public health authorities for monitoring, as required

Furthermore, this temporary public policy has been in effect since October 5, 2022 after signing by IRCC Minister Sean Fraser. And, it will end in 24 months.

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Eligibility Requirements

Primary applicant eligibility: Temporary residents who applied for permanent residency from within Canada and fulfills below mentioned criteria. The foreign national has

1. mentioned Canadian residence on their application, and
2. submitted an Immigration Medical Examination that included a physical examination
   • within the five years before the date of the application, in the case of a foreign national who submits an application on or after October 5, 2022, OR
   • within the five years before the October 5, 2022, in the case of a foreign national whose application under the Act is pending
3. Expired IME was classified as:
   • M1: indicating they pose no danger to public health and public safety;
   • M3: indicating they have a health condition present but are not expected to place an excessive demand on health or social services, unless the M3 has been assessed and identified as “TR only” or “EDE only”; or
   • M2 or M2/3: indicating they are a potential risk to public health, but they have complied with their requirement to report to provincial/territorial health authorities for medical surveillance, unless the M2 or M2/3 has been assessed and identified as “TR only” or “EDE only”.

Accompanying family members on a permanent residency application will also need to meet above mentioned criteria for exemption from new immigration medical exam.

Source: IRCC

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