Nothing checked off yet

First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check whether you need a permit at all

Work permitsApplyStep · of 7

BlockedOptionalYou are here

·. Medical exam, if your job or country needs one

Whether you need an exam by a panel physician depends on the country you've lived in, how long you're staying, and whether the job puts you near patients, children or the elderly.

Waiting on: Apply for the work permit

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step · of 7 · OptionalClose

Medical exam, if your job or country needs one

BlockedOptional

The authority on this stepMedical exams for visitors, students and workerscanada.ca · Government of Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

Whether you need an exam by a panel physician depends on the country you've lived in, how long you're staying, and whether the job puts you near patients, children or the elderly. If you had an exam in the last five years and it showed low risk, you may be exempt.

Why it's required: Jobs in health care, child care and elder care require an exam regardless of where you're from. Only a panel physician's exam counts; your own doctor's does not.

Who mustDepends on the jobHealth care, child care and elder care require one either way.

Recent examMay exempt youWithin five years and low risk: quote the previous IME number.

Documents you'll need

Identification with a photo
Glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them
Any previous immigration medical exam number

Before this step

BlockedApply for the work permit

This is the last step of the pathway.