Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued detailed guidance that spells out exactly who can skip the up-front immigration medical exam when applying for Canadian permanent residence. The clarification, published on 9 October 2026, confirms that applicants who completed an approved medical within the past five years—and who have lived continuously in Canada since that exam—may re-use the results instead of paying for a new examination. The department’s original 2024 public policy waived the repeat medical for certain in-Canada applicants but left room for interpretation, particularly for Express Entry candidates who spent time abroad for business trips or family visits. The new memo states that “short, incidental travel” of up to 30 consecutive days does not break the residence requirement, provided the applicant did not reside or work in a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis or syphilis during that absence. Anyone who moved their primary residence outside Canada—even briefly—must undergo a fresh medical. IRCC also explained how officers should assess accompanying family members. Dependent children born after the previous exam obviously need a first-time medical, while spouses or partners who have been in Canada fewer than five years must provide new results. The guidance offers step-by-step instructions for uploading the old Medical Report (IMM 1017) and warns that failure to include the previous Unique Medical Identifier will trigger an automated request for a new exam. For employers, the clarification can shave weeks off on-boarding timelines for foreign workers transitioning from a work permit to permanent residence, eliminating clinic appointments and lab processing. Applicants save roughly CAD $250–$350 per adult and avoid delays in high-demand cities where panel physicians are booked months in advance. The renewed policy is in force until 5 October 2029, after which IRCC will decide whether to incorporate it permanently into the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Until then, HR teams should audit PR candidates’ immigration histories early in the process to confirm their eligibility for medical re-use and avoid last-minute surprises.
Source: Immigration.ca
