Some applicants are exempt from a pre-immigration physical examination
This measure will help to speed up the processing of the MRP applications.
The Government of Canada has extended the existing relaxation that exempts temporary foreign workers applying for permanent residence from medical clearance. The measure, which came into effect in June 2021, will now remain in effect until March 31, 2022.
It helps reduce the burden on the immigration system and speed up the processing of applications without compromising the safety of Canadians.
When applying for immigration, foreign workers who are in Canada will be able to undergo a physical examination or show a unique medical identification number from a previous examination. Thus, they will not need to take the medical examination again if they have already taken it. The conditions are as follows:
- the candidate has had a physical examination within the past 5 years and has been determined not to pose a health and safety risk to the public in Canada, or has complied with the requirement to contact health authorities for health monitoring;
- the candidate has not left Canada for more than 6 months to live in countries with higher rates of communicable disease than Canada;
- the candidate has applied for permanent residence and has not undergone a follow-up medical examination.
Family members of the principal applicant are also exempt from the fee if they are in Canada and meet the criteria listed above.
Immigration and Citizenship Canada will be contacting those who are not covered by the new measures to discuss the next steps.
