What Happens After the Medical Exam for Canada Immigration?

You’ve completed your medical exam, and you’re wondering what comes next. Well, here’s where the journey gets really interesting. After the medical exam, you’re not just waiting for the results. There are several important steps that unfold, each with its own set of actions and waiting periods.

The medical exam is a crucial milestone in the Canadian immigration process. It’s designed to ensure that you do not have any serious medical conditions that could pose a risk to public health or safety, or could result in excessive demand on Canada's healthcare system. The results of the medical exam can directly impact the approval of your immigration application, so the process following the medical is essential to understand.

Step 1: Submission of Medical Results

After your medical examination, the designated medical professional will upload your results directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This typically happens within five to ten days after the exam, although it can take longer depending on the location and clinic. You don’t need to submit these results yourself.

The clinic sends the results through an electronic system called eMedical, making it a streamlined process. However, if any issues or concerns arise in your results, IRCC will notify you.

Step 2: Awaiting Medical Approval

After the submission, you’re now in a waiting phase. This is where many applicants find themselves anxiously refreshing their emails or logging into their IRCC account multiple times a day.

IRCC reviews your medical results and assesses whether they meet Canadian health standards. If no issues arise, you may not even be contacted about the results – good news usually comes silently. However, if there are any health concerns that could affect your immigration status, you will be contacted by IRCC.

The standard waiting time for medical clearance is approximately 1-3 months, though this can vary based on your medical condition or the volume of applications being processed at the time.

Step 3: Medical Furtherance Request (If Necessary)

In some cases, IRCC may not be satisfied with the initial medical results. If further tests or clarifications are required, they will issue what’s called a “Medical Furtherance Request.”

This happens in about 2-3% of cases. It could be due to abnormalities in your initial test results, incomplete data, or the need for additional testing on a specific condition. IRCC will provide specific instructions on what additional tests are needed, and you will be required to return to the same panel physician or a specialist.

At this point, it’s critical to act quickly to ensure that any further medical examinations are done promptly to avoid delays in your application process. Once the additional medical information is submitted, the waiting phase begins again.

Step 4: Final Immigration Decision

Once your medical results are approved and no further action is required, the next significant phase is the final decision on your immigration application.

If you’re applying under a program such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or Family Sponsorship, the final decision will depend not only on your medicals but also on other factors like background checks, documentation accuracy, and completion of other eligibility criteria.

For most applicants, after the medical clearance, the final decision could take anywhere between a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of your case and the specific immigration program. This step involves more than just the medical clearance – it’s an overall evaluation of your entire application package.

Step 5: Passport Request

Once the medical results are finalized and the decision on your application has been made, the next communication from IRCC could be the Passport Request (PPR). This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! It means that your visa has been approved, and now you need to submit your passport to the Canadian Visa Office for the stamping of your immigrant visa.

This is a straightforward step where you are typically asked to send your passport and 2 photos to your respective Visa Application Centre (VAC). In some cases, for those applying from visa-exempt countries, you may just receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) without needing to send in your passport.

Once your passport is stamped, you will be sent back your passport along with your visa and the COPR, which you will present when entering Canada.

Step 6: Prepare for Your Move to Canada

After you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, it’s time to start preparing for your move to Canada. But before you pack your bags, there are still a few key details to handle.

Ensure that your immigration documents are in order and plan your entry into Canada. You will have a specific date by which you need to arrive in Canada (usually within 12 months from the date of your medical exam). If you fail to enter the country before that date, your visa could become invalid, and you would have to start the process over again.

Also, make sure to research the entry procedures at the Canadian border, as you’ll be required to present your COPR and undergo a final review by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. This step is typically routine and marks the final stage of the immigration process.

Factors That Can Delay the Process

While the above process is quite standard, there are certain factors that can slow things down after the medical exam:

• Incomplete or ambiguous medical results: If there is any issue with the completeness of your medical test results or ambiguity in what was reported, this can lead to requests for further testing.
• Special medical conditions: Applicants with medical conditions that are considered a potential burden on Canada’s healthcare system may face delays.
• Volume of applications: Processing times are also impacted by the number of applications being handled by the visa office or IRCC at any given time.
• Additional clearances required: Occasionally, applicants may be subject to additional background or security clearances, which can delay the process.

Real-Life Example: A Case Study

To make this process clearer, let’s explore a real-life case study. Jane, a 32-year-old software engineer from India, applied for permanent residency under Canada’s Express Entry program. She completed her medical exam in August, and the panel physician uploaded her results within a week.

Here’s how the timeline unfolded for Jane:

1. Medical Exam Completion: August 5th.
2. Results Uploaded: August 12th.
3. IRCC Updates on Medical Clearance: September 25th – IRCC updated her account, stating that her medical exam results had been reviewed and approved.
4. Background Checks Cleared: October 18th.
5. Passport Request (PPR): November 15th.

By December, Jane had her passport stamped with a Canadian visa and was ready to begin her new life in Canada.

Conclusion

The medical exam is just one part of the immigration process, but it plays a vital role in determining the success of your application. After completing the exam, you enter a waiting game for the results, which typically takes a few months. During this time, it’s essential to stay informed about the status of your application and respond promptly to any additional requests from IRCC.

Once your medical results are approved and no further follow-ups are needed, you’re one significant step closer to your dream of immigrating to Canada. Keep your eyes open for the all-important Passport Request, and soon, you’ll be making plans to arrive in your new home.