Do I need a medical exam after I make a refugee claim in Canada?

After making a refugee claim, you will get a Medical Report form (IMM 1017E) and instructions for getting an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). You must go for your medical exam within 30 days of getting these instructions so book your appointment right away.

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) pays for your first Immigration Medical Exam.

A panel physician must complete your medical exam. A panel physician is a doctor that is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to complete the IME. Use this list to find a panel physician in your city.

You can also call 811 to speak with Refugee Health Line. They can help you find a doctor to do your IME. For TTY, call 711. They can also help you find other healthcare services you may need.

The doctor will do a complete medical exam. They might also send you for chest x-rays and laboratory tests. Once your medical exam is done, the doctor will send the results to IRCC.

What to bring 

When you go to your medical exam, you must take:

• your Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or Acknowledgement of Claim letter
• the Medical Report form (IMM 1017E),
• an identity document, if you have one,
• your eyeglasses or contact lenses, if you wear them,
• any vaccination documents, and
• any medical reports or test results about your previous or existing medical conditions.

If your documents are not in English or French, you must also bring:

• an English or French translation of the document, and
• a declaration or affidavit written and signed by the translator.

Ask about photographs 

You might have to bring four recent photographs of yourself if the doctor does not use eMedical. eMedical is an online tool used to record and send medical exams to IRCC. You usually do not need to bring photographs, so ask the doctor before your appointment.