Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its list of countries and territories whose citizens must undergo an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) when applying for temporary residence in Canada. The changes — which took effect on November 3, 2025 — add four new countries to the list and remove six others, impacting applicants who have lived in or travelled to those regions for six consecutive months in the year before their arrival in Canada.
New Changes to the IME Requirement
Under the updated rules, applicants from the following countries must now complete an IME:
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Meanwhile, applicants from these six countries no longer need an IME:
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Iraq
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Taiwan
Applications submitted before November 3, 2025, will not be affected by these revisions.
Who Needs an Immigration Medical Exam?
According to IRCC, an IME is mandatory for temporary residence applicants if:
- They plan to stay in Canada for more than six months and have lived in or travelled to certain listed countries;
- They are applying for a parent or grandparent super visa; or
- They intend to work in occupations involving close contact with people or public health protection.
This includes professionals such as:
- Health-care workers, clinical lab staff, and patient attendants;
- Medical students, visiting physicians, and geriatric care providers;
- Teachers, daycare employees, and domestic caregivers; and
- Agricultural workers who have resided in high-risk regions for six months or more.
Short-term visitors (less than six months) who will not be working in health, childcare, or similar fields do not typically need an IME.
Additional Exemptions and Procedures
Applicants who completed an IME within the last five years may be exempt under a temporary public policy valid until October 5, 2029, provided:
- They are currently residing in Canada;
- They have previously applied for temporary or permanent residence; and
- Their earlier IME results indicated no public health or safety risks.
There are two types of IMEs — standard and streamlined. Applicants must select a panel physician listed on the IRCC website to complete the exam. IRCC will issue specific instructions on when and how to book the appointment after the application is submitted.
For the complete list of IME-required countries and territories, applicants can visit the official IRCC webpage: www.canada.ca/immigration-medical-exam-list