Medical Test for Canada Student Visa

Are you planning to study in Canada? If yes, then you must know the importance of a medical test for Canada student visa. It is an essential requirement for both temporary and permanent residence applications. Learn everything you need to know about a medical test for a Canadian student visa through this article.

What Medical Tests are Conducted for Canada Student Visa?

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) pre-approves a panel of physicians to examine the health of an individual for Canadian immigration purposes. This ensures that an individual’s immigration status is not denied due to medical reasons. In addition, it includes a medical and physical examination of the individual.

These tests allow the physician to determine whether the student is medically fit to stay in Canada during the course of their study program. If these results are not enough to get the required information, applicants are referred to specialists for further testing.

What Happens During Medical Test for Visa?

One of the most important reasons to perform a medical test for Canada student visa is to make sure that the student is medically admissible to Canada. It is a precautionary step taken by the government to ensure the public safety and health of the Canadian population. International applicants will be granted or denied visas based on these factors.

Is it Required to Take a Medical Exam to Work in Canada?

If you want to apply for a job in Canada, you need to undergo a medical test. These are essentially jobs that require you to come in close contact with people. The following jobs require you to undergo medical tests:

• Clinical Laboratory Workers
• Employees in healthcare settings
• Patient attendants in nursing and geriatric care facilities
• Day Nursery Employees
• Students studying medicine at a medical university in Canada
• Workers who provide home health care to senior citizens, children, and the disabled

It is essential to undergo a medical examination if even one of the following applies to you:

• If you have applied for a parent visa or grandparent visa.
• You spent a minimum of 6 months living in any of the countries mentioned below:

1. Afghanistan
2. Albania
3. Australia
4. Cambodia
5. China 
6. Hong Kong
7. Costa Rica
8. Croatia 
9. France
10. India 

Who Can Conduct Your Medical Exam?

A panel of physicians will conduct your medical test for Canada student visa. You cannot have the examination conducted by your personal physician. However, the panel of physicians does not declare the final result. It is the government of Canada that makes the final decision. You will receive a written note from the Canadian government if there are any issues with your medical examination.

When Should you get your Medical Test Done?

It is your choice whether to apply for your medical exam before or after applying for your visa. Let us look at both these cases.

Getting the Test Before Submitting your Application 

When you apply for the medical exam before submitting your application, it is known as an Upfront Medical Exam. You can undergo this test if you are applying to:

• Work
• Study
• Visit (including parent and grandparent visa) 

Getting the Test After Submitting your Application 

In case you apply for the test after submitting your application, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your medical test. Within 30 days after receiving the instructions, you must get your test done.

Important Requirements

On the day of your medical exam, an IRCC-approved physician will conduct the test, and the following will be expected from you:

• Eyeglasses/contact lenses, if you wear them.
• An identity proof (a passport is the most common form of identification proof)
• Medical reports related to your current or previous health conditions that you still possess.
• If you are unable to attend an upfront medical examination, the IRCC will send you the medical form.
• If the panel physician does not use eMedical, you must bring four recent photographs.

What Should you Expect During your Medical Test?

Take a look at the different procedures involved in the medical test for a Canada student visa:

1. Firstly, the clinic staff will ask you to provide your identity proof. If you are going for any additional tests, your identification will be requested again. Additionally, a picture will be taken for future reference.
2. Next, the physician will fill out a medical history questionnaire to determine if you have any existing or previous medical conditions. Also, you will be asked if you are currently taking any medications.
3. You will then undergo a physical examination that will test you on the following criteria: 
   • Height
   • Weight
   • Hearing and Vision
   • Limbs and Skin
   • Pulse
   • Heartbeat and Breathing
   • Blood Pressure
   • Abdomen
4. Panel physicians do not examine the rectal area or genitals since they are not important for the immigration medical test. However, the doctors may examine your breasts if required.
5. In addition, you may be asked to take chest x-rays or other laboratory tests, and any abnormal results will be discussed with the physician.
6. Based on the results of your medical exam, you may be asked to undergo advanced testing. Please note that you must complete this request as early as possible.

What all do you need to Pay for? 

There will be various fees associated with the medical test for a Canada student visa. This will include the following:

• Special investigations, tests or treatments required
• Fees for visiting a radiologist or doctor
• Any specialists that you will need to consult

Result and Validation

Once the IRCC has approved the medical examination, the student must wait for the results. Candidates who had opted for an upfront medical examination receive a certificate confirming the completion of the medical exam.

To apply for a Canadian student visa, applicants must attach all the necessary documents. The test results are valid for one year, which means that the visa granted for permanent or temporary residence will not exceed the one-year expiration period since the medical test was conducted.