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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
IRCC Updates Guidance on Immigration Medical Exam Exemption
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided new clarification regarding who can avoid a repeat immigration medical exam when applying for Canadian permanent residence. The updated rules specify that only those currently residing in Canada may reuse a previous immigration medical examination completed in the last five years.
What Has Changed in the Exemption Rules?
On September 22, 2026, IRCC updated its operational instructions to make the residence requirement explicit for immigration officers reviewing Express Entry and other permanent residence applications. Applicants must now be living in Canada to qualify for the temporary public policy (TPP) that allows reuse of an immigration medical examination. If an applicant currently resides outside Canada, even if they previously completed a medical exam while living in the country, they must complete a new medical examination unless they qualify for another exemption.
This adjustment removes previous ambiguity, especially for Express Entry applicants living abroad, and aligns with IRCC's public instructions. The policy itself, designed to reduce unnecessary medical exams and streamline processing, was first introduced in 2022 and has been extended to October 5, 2029.
Who Qualifies for the Medical Exam Exemption?
To be eligible for the immigration medical exam exemption under the temporary public policy, a foreign national must:
- Have applied or be applying for permanent or temporary residence.
- Currently live in Canada.
- Have completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years.
- Have a previous medical examination that showed a low or no risk to public health or safety.
It is not sufficient to have simply completed a medical exam in the last five years; residence in Canada at the time of application is required. IRCC retains discretion to require a new examination if necessary.
Impact on Express Entry Applicants and Those with Canadian Experience
The clarification is significant for Express Entry applicants—who are managed through Canada’s federal economic immigration programs—since medical examination requirements are a key part of the application completeness process for permanent residence. Applicants must submit necessary documentation within 60 days of receiving an invitation to apply. Eligible candidates residing in Canada may use a previous immigration medical exam, but those living abroad, even if they previously studied or worked in Canada and completed their exam during that time, are not eligible for the exemption based solely on their past Canadian experience.
How to Reuse a Previous Medical Exam
Eligible applicants should provide their previous immigration medical examination (IME) number or unique medical identifier (UMI) number when applying. This information allows IRCC officers to locate prior medical results and determine if the temporary public policy applies. While reuse can save time and expense, applicants should not assume automatic approval; IRCC may request further information or a new exam as needed.
Duration of the Temporary Exemption Policy
The current exemption is valid through October 5, 2029. Initially introduced in 2022 to address processing delays, it was extended in 2024 and has already benefited more than 286,000 applicants. The government may revoke the policy before its expiration date, and applicants are advised to monitor IRCC updates before submitting their applications under Canada immigration pathways.
Key Steps for Applicants
Applicants for permanent residence should review their eligibility for the medical exam exemption and assemble documentation accordingly. Those living outside Canada should complete a new immigration medical examination. Express Entry applicants must ensure their application is complete to avoid rejection, and keep abreast of evolving application requirements. The recent IRCC clarification reaffirms the exemption’s intent—to ease the process for eligible foreign nationals already residing in Canada, rather than offering a general five year exemption for anyone with a previous exam.
Source: immigration.ca.
