Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has given updated instructions on 22nd September regarding the eligibility to reuse a previous immigration medical examination completed within the last five years. As per Canada PR latest updates IRCC clarifies that the applicant to reuse medical examination results must be currently residing in Canada.
Canada introduced the medical exam exemption in the year 2022. It was to reduce repeated examinations and to speed up immigration processing. Further, IRCC has since then extended the temporary policy until 5th October 2029. The latest instructions clarify who benefits from the exemption.
The updated clarification given by IRCC is that to reuse the previous immigration medical exam in Canada, the applicant must be living in Canada. The officers have to follow the standard process of medical examination for applicants who are living outside Canada, and eligible applicants residing in Canada can reuse their medical results from the previous five years (even if their original medical certificate has expired).
The Canada immigration medical exam exemption 2026 update does not introduce a new medical exam requirement or end the existing exemption. Instead, it reinforces the residence requirement and clarifies how officers should assess eligibility.
The temporary IRCC medical exam exemption allows some applicants to avoid undergoing another immigration medical examination if they meet all the eligibility conditions.
Applicants must:-
Having a recent medical examination within five years alone does not guarantee an exemption. Meeting the above conditions is essential for exemption.
IRCC has given an important clarification regarding the applicants who previously lived in Canada but have since moved abroad.
For example, an international student who completed a medical examination while studying in Canada and later returned to India cannot rely on the five-year exemption while residing outside Canada. They would not qualify while living outside Canada. The same applies to former temporary foreign workers who have left the country. At the same time an Express Entry applicant who completed a medical examination in 2023 and still resides in Canada may qualify for the exemption if all other conditions are met.
As per Canada PR's latest updates, officers are directed to follow the standard medical examination process for applicants who do not meet the Canadian residence requirement. This means previous Canadian study or work experience does not, by itself, allow applicants living overseas to avoid a new medical examination.
The new update will affect candidates applying for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, which manages applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class.
Applicants must meet Canadian immigration medical requirements when submitting their permanent residence applications. Those currently living in Canada who completed an immigration medical examination within the past five years may qualify to reuse their previous results, provided they meet all other conditions.
However, applicants residing overseas cannot use this exemption solely because they previously lived or studied in Canada. Former international students and temporary foreign workers who have returned to their home countries must follow the applicable Express Entry medical exam requirements, even if their Canadian experience helps them qualify for permanent residence.
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Applicants who qualify for Canada’s immigration medical exam exemption must retrieve their previous medical examination details before they submit a new application. To find the existing medical records, IRCC asks eligible applicants to provide their previous Immigration Medical Examination (IME) number or Unique Medical Identifier (UMI) number.
Express Entry candidates should enter the relevant details in their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). IRCC will then check whether the previous medical results of the applicant meet the temporary public policy requirements.
The Canada immigration medical exam waiver helps the applicant to avoid the cost and inconvenience of undergoing another medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician if IRCC approves for exemption.
Applicants must understand providing an old IME or UMI number does not automatically guarantee an exemption. They may be asked to submit additional medical information or to attend a new examination if IRCC finds the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria or if further assessment is necessary.
Canada has extended the temporary medical examination exemption until October 5, 2029. According to IRCC, more than 286,000 applicants benefited from the Canada PR medical exam exemption during its first two years. However, the policy remains temporary and may be changed or withdrawn before its scheduled expiry.
The IRCC medical exam update 2026 confirms that the five-year immigration medical exam exemption applies only to eligible applicants currently living in Canada. Applicants who have left Canada and are currently residing outside of the country must verify the application requirements of the medical examination before they submit their permanent residence applications.
ImmiLaw Immigration can help applicants with the Canada medical test and new rules. We will assess whether you qualify for the exemption and prepare the necessary documentation for your immigration applications.
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Applicants living in Canada may qualify if they completed a medical exam within the past five years and their results meet IRCC’s public health requirements.
Yes, if you meet the exemption conditions. You may need to provide your previous IME or UMI number as instructed by IRCC.
Not always. Eligible applicants may reuse previous results, while those who do not qualify must follow IRCC’s standard medical examination requirements.
A: You must check your eligibility for the temporary exemption. If eligible, provide your previous IME or UMI number as instructed.
A: You must currently reside in Canada, have completed a medical exam within five years, meet the public health criteria, and satisfy the other policy conditions.
A: Applicants outside Canada generally must follow the standard medical examination process unless another applicable exemption applies.
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