Which Temporary Residents Need to Get a Medical Exam for Immigration?

IRC C(Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) has made some big changes to the list of countries and territories whose citizens need to take an IME in order to apply for temporary residence. The list of countries that need an IME will change on November 3, 2025. Four new countries will be added, and six countries will be taken off. People who lived or travelled in any of the countries on the list for six months straight in the year before they came to Canada must follow these changes.

Keep in mind that these changes won't affect applications sent in before November 3, 2025.

The IRCC is working to make sure that medical screening rules are in line with global health data and risk assessments. This change is part of that work. There are already over 100 countries on the list that need an IME. Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, India, and many more are among these.

In what countries are things going wrong?

From November 3, people from these countries will need an IME if they want to stay in the U.S. for a short time:

• Argentina
• Colombia
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

People from these places will no longer have to take an IME test as long as they meet all the other requirements:

• Turkey
• And Herzegovina is the name of the country.
• Iraq
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Taipei

These changes might make the application process easier for some people but harder for others.

Why Would Someone Need an IME?

You need to get an Immigration Medical Exam if you want to temporarily live in Canada and apply to do so.

In the past year, you have lived in or travelled to a country for at least six months in a row. You plan to stay in Canada for longer than six months. Someone you care about wants to get a super visa. Your goal is to have a job that protects public health, no matter how often you move or how long you stay in one place. An IME is usually needed for people who work in healthcare, medical school, labs, care homes, schools, daycares, and some agricultural jobs where travel history is relevant.

You don't need an IME if you only plan to stay in Canada for six months or less and don't work in a job that could harm the public's health.