Starting August 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce a major change to the Express Entry permanent residence process. Applicants will now be required to complete their immigration medical exam before submitting their applications.
This adjustment is designed to shorten processing times and avoid delays caused by waiting for medical exam requests and results after an application is submitted. While this requirement may seem like an extra step at the beginning, it could help many applicants receive faster decisions overall.
Why This Change Matters
Until now, most Express Entry applicants submitted their permanent residence applications first and then received medical exam instructions from IRCC. The new policy flips this sequence. By requiring the exam upfront, IRCC ensures that medical results are already available when the application reaches the processing stage.
This change only applies to Express Entry applicants submitting after August 21, 2025. It will not affect applications already in progress or those filed through other permanent residence programs.
Medical Exam Requirements for Express Entry Applicants
When completing the medical exam, applicants must visit an IRCC-approved panel physician. Regular family doctors cannot conduct these assessments. The exam typically involves:
- A review of your medical history
- A physical exam
- Blood and urine tests
- A chest X-ray, if required
Applicants must also bring valid identification, such as a passport, and any existing medical reports, prescriptions, or vaccination records.
What This Means for Future Applicants
The upfront medical exam requirement may feel like a hurdle, but it offers several advantages:
- Faster application decisions: fewer delays waiting for medical exam requests
- Smoother process: IRCC can review complete applications right away
- Reduced backlogs: fewer cases stalled due to pending medical results
However, applicants should also prepare for additional upfront costs since the exam fees must be paid before submission.
Key Points to Remember
- Effective date: August 21, 2025
- Applies to: Express Entry permanent residence applicants only
- Who conducts the exam: IRCC-approved panel physicians
- Not affected: Applications submitted before the implementation date and non-Express Entry streams
The IRCC’s decision to require upfront medical exams for Express Entry permanent residence applications is a significant policy shift that aims to make immigration processing more efficient. While it places extra responsibility on applicants at the start, it could ultimately mean shorter waiting times and quicker approvals.
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