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MEDICAL TESTING
AND SURVEILLANCE

 
SNAPSHOT

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires that all applicants for permanent residence and some visitors who apply to enter Canada have a medical examination. Based on this examination, applicants might be refused entry into Canada if they have a health condition that is likely to be a danger to public health or safety, or that could be very demanding on health or social services. The Act also requires that people with certain medical conditions be placed under medical surveillance to encourage appropriate treatment and follow-up.

 
MEDICAL TESTING

Who must have a medical examination?

If requested, the following applicants must undergo a medical examination:

• Applicants for a permanent resident visa and their dependants, whether they are accompanied by them or not.
• Some foreign nationals who are applying to stay in Canada for a period of greater than six months. Please refer to the Designated Country/Territory list.
• Applicants intending to work in an occupation in which the protection of public health is essential.
• Anyone claiming refugee protection in Canada.

What is involved in a medical examination?

A medical examination may include:

• a physical examination;
• a mental examination;
• a review of past medical history and records;
• routine and diagnostic tests to assess the health of the applicant.

Routine tests may include: urinalysis, a chest x-ray, a syphilis blood test and an HIV test.

 
Who does the medical examination?

Medical examinations are carried out by doctors found on CIC's Designated Medical Practitioners list.

 
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

What medical conditions require surveillance?

Applicants will be placed under medical surveillance if the results of their immigration medical examination for entry to Canada show that they have:

• inactive tuberculosis (TB); or
• evidence of a previous syphilis infection that has been treated prior to entering Canada.

 
Why is medical surveillance necessary?

Medical surveillance helps people with certain conditions maintain their own health, and protects their family members and people in Canada.

 
How is medical surveillance carried out?

• People who require medical surveillance will receive a Medical Surveillance Undertaking form (IMM 0535) and a Medical Surveillance Handout that provides instructions and telephone numbers for contacting public health authorities. They must report to a public health authority within 30 days of entering Canada.
• If they are already living in Canada, people who require medical surveillance are required to report to a public health authority within 30 days of receiving the medical surveillance handout.
• Upon entry to Canada, Port of Entry staff will send copies of any IMM 0535 forms to the Medical Surveillance Unit (MSU) so that provincial and territorial health authorities are made aware of the arrival of individuals requiring medical surveillance.

There are specialized clinics in Canada for treating people who are HIV positive. All HIV positive migrants granted entry to Canada will receive a Health Follow-up Handout: HIV Infection to assist them in obtaining medical care in Canada.

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2002
Cat. No.: Ci51-111/2002-20
ISBN 0-662-66656-9
C&I-490-H-06-02