By: Syed Khan, RCIC
I Can Help Immigration Services
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced significant changes to its Immigration Medical Exam requirements for foreign nationals seeking temporary residence. Effective November 3, 2025, IRCC has updated the roster of countries and territories whose citizens must undergo an Immigration Medical Exam when applying to visit, study, or work in Canada for an extended period.
The update adds four countries to the medical exam requirement and removes six, changing the criteria for thousands of temporary residents preparing applications for entry into Canada.
These updates reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to protect public health, improve the efficiency of immigration processes, and adapt medical screening requirements to emerging global health trends. For applicants, employers, immigration consultants, and international students, understanding these changes is essential for preventing delays and ensuring compliance.
Beginning on November 3, 2025, temporary residence applicants from four newly added countries will now need to complete an Immigration Medical Exam. Conversely, citizens and residents of six countries removed from the list will no longer be required to undergo this exam unless they fall into special categories of workers.
Countries newly added to IRCC’s IME list
Argentina
Columbia
Uruguay
Venezuela
Applicants from these countries must undergo an IME if they have lived in or travelled to these regions for six consecutive months during the year before their arrival in Canada.
Countries removed from the IME list
Armenia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iraq
Latvia
Lithuania
Taiwan
Individuals from these regions will no longer require a medical exam, provided they do not plan to work in public health–related occupations.
Email: info@icanhelpimmigration.com
