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Canada Revises List of Countries Requiring Immigration Medical Exams for Temporary Residents

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to the list of countries whose nationals must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) when applying for temporary residence in Canada.


immigration medical exams

These changes, taking effect November 3, 2025, add four countries and remove six from the list. Applicants from the newly added regions must now undergo an IME, while those from the removed countries will no longer face that requirement.



What’s Changing and When:

Starting November 3, 2025, IRCC’s updated list applies to anyone who has lived in or travelled to a designated country or territory for six consecutive months or longer in the year prior to their arrival in Canada. Importantly, any application filed before this date is not affected by the change.


Newly Added and Removed Countries:

There is a summary of the changes to the IME requirement:

IME now required for

IME no longer required for

Argentina

Armenia

Colombia

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Uruguay

Iraq

Venezuela

Latvia

—

Lithuania

—

Taiwan


Who Must Undergo an Immigration Medical Exam?

The IME requirement applies to temporary-residence applicants in the following situations:

  • You plan to stay in Canada for more than six months and have lived in or travelled to a specified country for six consecutive months (within the year prior to arrival).

  • You are applying under the Parent or Grandparent Super Visa program.

  • Your intended work involves protecting public health (for example, health care roles, child-care, in-home caregiver work).

If your stay is less than six months, and you are not working in a public-health-sensitive role, generally you will not need an IME.


About the IME Process:

There are two types of IMEs: the Standard exam and the Streamlined exam.


To book an IME, you must first find an IRCC-approved panel physician in the country or territory where you are residing. Once you apply, IRCC will provide instructions on the type of exam required and how to proceed.


Under a temporary public policy (effective until October 5, 2029), certain applicants may be exempt if they already completed an IME within the last five years and meet other specified criteria.


Why This Matters for Study and Work Visa Applicants:

For study-permit and work-permit applicants, this change means greater attention must be paid to your travel and residence history. If you have lived in or travelled to one of the “added” countries for six months or more, you will now need to schedule an IME potentially adding time and cost to your application.


At our company, Gogna Immigration. We guide clients through study-permit and visitor-visa conversion processes, including helping you understand all procedural requirements like IMEs. If you’re applying for a study permit or converting a visitor visa, be sure to factor in any medical-exam requirement as part of your timeline.


Key Takeaways:

  • The IME requirement for temporary-residence applicants to Canada has changed: four countries added, six removed.

  • Effective November 3, 2025. Applications submitted earlier are unaffected.

  • IMEs are required if you’ve stayed in an added country for six consecutive months, or your intended work involves public-health risk.

  • Applicants for study or work permits should review their travel/residence history carefully to determine if an IME is needed.

  • Partnering with a professional immigration service can help ensure you meet all requirements, including medical exams on schedule.


How We Can Help?

If you’re planning to apply for a study permit, temporary work, or visitor-to-study conversion, We at Gogna Immigration are ready to assist you end-to-end file assessment, course selection, and full application guidance. Contact us today to ensure your path to Canada is clear, compliant, and efficient.



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