Express Entry Applicants No Longer Require Upfront Medical Examination

• In a recent update, IRCC has eliminated the need for upfront Immigration Medical Examination for Express Entry Applicants.

• Recently, the Canadian Government has updated the medical examination requirement for those applying through the Express Entry system. According to the announcement, “As of October 1, 2023, upfront medical examinations are no longer required at the time of application for Express Entry.”

• The Express Entry system comes under the federal government of Canada and is handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

• With the latest update in medical examination requirement –

• Express Entry candidates are being asked to wait for IRCC instructions before going for a medical examination.
• Updated instructions have been issued to processing officers on when a medical examination should be requested, if needed.
• The requirement for Express Entry applicants to undergo an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) had been removed starting from October 1, 2023. This means that when Express Entry Candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they no longer need to provide an Immigration Medical Exam result upfront.

What’s new in the Express Entry Medical Requirement?

• Effective from October 1, 2023, Express Entry Applicants and their family will no longer need to go through the process of an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) at the time of submission of application. This change allows applicants to proceed without this initial medical exam.

How does it work now?

• Upon receiving an ITA, you will be asked to provide proof of your medical exam in your profile builder. However, it is important to note that upfront medical examination proof is no longer a mandatory step in the application process.

• Another important update is that, if you have undergone an IME for a previous immigration application to Canada, you can reuse that. You can include it in your current application using the same upload slot. However, don’t forget to provide your IME or Unique Medical Identifier (UMI) from your most recent medical examination.

No previous IME? No Problem

• Even if you have never undergone an IME, you can still go ahead with the application process. All you have to do is upload a blank document in the designated IME upload slot. The IRCC will review the application and provide you with further instruction on when to complete your IME based on your application and eligibility.

It is worth noting that, in July 2022, IRCC made the upfront IME a mandatory stage in the application process. This recent change represents a significant reversal of that requirement.