Already in Canada? When you may skip a new immigration medical exam

Key takeaways

IRCC extended its temporary public policy that exempts certain people in Canada from the IME requirement until October 5, 2029
You may be exempt if you applied for PR or a temporary residence (TR) permit, already live in Canada, had your previous IME in the last 5 years and the result showed low or no risk
You include the IME number or UMI from the previous exam in the new application
IRCC’s Express Entry instructions say the applicant “must be residing in Canada.” If you live outside Canada, follow the normal medical process
Family members who are outside Canada are not covered by the in-Canada exemption and still need exams
Officers decide eligibility, and IRCC can revoke the policy at any time without notice

What IRCC says

IRCC’s medical exams page says: “We’ve extended the temporary public policy to exempt certain foreign nationals in Canada from the immigration medical examination requirement until October 5, 2029.”

You may be exempt from another IME if you meet all of these conditions:

You applied or are applying for PR or TR.
You already live in Canada.
You completed your previous IME in the last 5 years.
Your previous IME showed a low or no risk to public health or public safety.

Include the IME number, or UMI, from your previous exam in the new application.

The policy conditions

The public policy document sets these conditions:

You made an application and gave a Canadian residence on it.
You had an IME that included a physical examination within the 5 years before the new application.
Your most recent IME was coded M1, M3 or M2/M2-3, and you complied with medical surveillance if it applied.
M3 or M2 results marked “TR only” or “EDE only” do not qualify.

Accompanying family members of a PR principal applicant can also qualify. The principal applicant must meet the Canadian-residence condition, and each family member’s own IME must meet the 5-year and result conditions.

Item	What the policy says
Took effect	October 5, 2022
Expires	October 5, 2029
Can be revoked?	Yes. It “may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.”
Other relief	It can also exempt applicants from the rule that a medical certificate be based on an exam within the previous 12 months (IRPR 65.1(1)(d)(ii) and 72(1)(e)(iii))

Express Entry: the residence condition

IRCC’s Express Entry completeness-check instructions say the medical exam confirmation is required up front. The electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) must include the UMI or IME number and a copy of the information printout sheet or form IMM 1017B.

The instructions also say: “A TPP for in-Canada applicants is in place until October 5, 2029… The applicant must be residing in Canada in order to be eligible for the TPP. If the applicant resides outside Canada, please follow the normal process.” TPP means temporary public policy.

Medical confirmation is required for the principal applicant, the spouse or partner and dependent children, including those who are not accompanying. IRCC also says Express Entry applications received on or after October 21, 2025 without an IME “may be rejected as required.”

IRCC’s instructions now state the residence condition plainly. If you live outside Canada, plan for the usual upfront medical process.

Family members outside Canada

The in-Canada exemption is for people who live in Canada. Family members who are not in Canada still need exams. Read our guide on declaring family members who are not coming to Canada.

How many people have used it

In an October 4, 2024 notice, IRCC said that in its first 2 years the policy “benefited more than 286,000 clients.” IRCC also said applicants who are not eligible must take an IME as usual, and IRCC will contact them about next steps.

What this means for you

You live in Canada and had an IME for a study or work permit in the last 5 years: find your IME or UMI number and check the result code. Read the conditions above.
You live outside Canada: IRCC says to follow the normal process.
Your result was “TR only” or “EDE only”: the policy says these results do not qualify.
You are not sure if you qualify: eligibility is decided by officers. Ask a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.

IRCC does not publish one fee for the exam. Panel physician fees vary, so this guide does not give a saving amount.

What to do next

Find the IME number or UMI from your previous exam.
Check the date. It must be within the 5 years before your new application.
Check that the result was low or no risk and not marked “TR only” or “EDE only”.
Check that you live in Canada and give your Canadian residence on the application.
Enter the number in your application and keep the printout sheet or IMM 1017B.

Use our document checklist generator, our cost of PR calculator and our guides to Express Entry and study permit to PR.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new medical exam for Express Entry if I am in Canada?

Not always. If you meet all the conditions of IRCC’s temporary public policy, you may be exempt. You must live in Canada, and your previous IME must be from the last 5 years with a low or no risk result.

What do I enter instead of a new exam?

The IME number or UMI from your previous exam. Express Entry applicants also include the information printout sheet or IMM 1017B.

Until when does the policy last?

Until October 5, 2029. IRCC can revoke it at any time without prior notice.

Does it apply if I live outside Canada?

No. IRCC’s instructions say applicants who live outside Canada follow the normal process.

Do family members abroad need an exam?

Yes. The in-Canada exemption does not cover family members who are outside Canada.

Sources

All sources checked October 9, 2026.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.