Immigration Medical Examinations for Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Wellington Medical Clinic is a busy primary care clinic that commits to completing IME applicant medicals 7-10 days after the medical appointment. Please do not call for a status update on your application until at least 10 days have passed since your appointment. Thank you for your kind consideration
Purpose
The Immigration Medical Exam (IME) is conducted to assess whether an applicant poses a risk to Canadian Public Health or Public Safety, or represents an excessive demand on the healthcare system
The role of the Panel Physician and Clinic
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The role of the Immigration Panel physician is ONLY to collect medical information on behalf of the IRCC - we do not determine the success of an application nor do we have any information on processing times
Types of Immigration Medicals
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Immigration Medical Exam - Generally for permanent residence
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Upfront Medical Exam - Generally for visitors students and workers
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Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) - as of June 30, 2024 there are very few cases where this is still required
NOTE: Review
Familiarize yourself with support for applicants and reasonable expectations of the Panel Physician and Clinic
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Neither the Panel Physician nor Wellington Medical Clinic staff can comment on application success nor processing times
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More general information may be found HERE
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Check the status of your application HERE
NOTE: Translation
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Our office does not provide any form of translation
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Please bring with you someone to assist you in translation should this be required
Process
STEP 1: Identification
Make sure you have the correct identification
For your Medical you must bring with you one of the following identification documents
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Original passport
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National ID Card
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Canadian Driver's License
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Refugee travel document
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Red Cross travel document
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UN laissez-passer
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OAS travel document
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Refugee Protection Claimant
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ANY Government ID from Ukraine
NOTE: If you have no identification you may still proceed - however IRCC will need to work with you directly to assess your identity
STEP 2: Review Tests and Costs
Review the costs and which tests you and your family will need
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Immigration Medical Exams (IME) and Upfront Medical Exams (UFM): All private medicals at our office are provided at $255 per person. This includes the physical exam and one follow up phone call if needed
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Chest X-Ray: X-rays are only permitted at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital - the cost of this service is $180 per person - only certain candidates require this
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Labs (blood and urine): Lab services will be through the Satellite Lab (BOOK HERE) or any LifeLabs location (BOOK HERE) - see STEP 5 for detailed instructions about how to do the urine testing
IMPORTANT: You do NOT need to have the tests done before your medical exam,
but you are encouraged to have your tests done on the same day as your medical
COST BREAKDOWN:
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Immigration Medical Exam: $255.00
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X-Ray (if needed): $180.00
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Labs (if needed): Approximately $80.00
NOTE: X-Rays and lab testing done for immigration purposes (except for CUAET) are NOT covered by provincial health services / MSP.
We do not directly bill to any insurance companies. If you have coverage through an insurance company, you must find out directly from the insurance company whether they will cover the cost of the testing. We will provide you with the invoice you can submit to them for reimbursement. We are not able to help you with this process.
STEP 3: Schedule
Book your appointment by calling our office at 250-740-2100 ext 3 or 4
STEP 4: Photographs
Some patients may be required to have professional photographs taken and bring them to their appointment with the panel physician – these photos must meet this criteria (print this guide and bring it with you the photographer):
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Required for patients over the age of 11: ONE photograph
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Children aged 0-10: NO photographs required
Every patient of every age will also have a digital photo taken in the office to be uploaded to the eMedical website
STEP 5: Imaging
(If needed) Chest X-rays must be done at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. This is done on a walk-in basis only, as appointments cannot be scheduled ahead of time. Please arrive BEFORE 3:00pm
STEP 5: Lab tests
(If needed) Book your lab appointment at Satellite Lab or any LifeLabs location
Instructions for urinalysis:
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Please ensure that you are well hydrated
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Do not excessively exercise 1-2 days prior to the urine test
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Do not complete the urine test when you have a fever
At your Immigration Medical Exam
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Bring all corrective eye wear (glasses/contact lenses)
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Prepare and bring a list of all your medications
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Parking is available on the street or within the parkade
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Dr Martin is a male physician, Dr Oberholster is female - you may choose your preference and/or bring a chaperone
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Only the applicant, a translator, a chaperone (if required) and small children of the applicant will be permitted to accompany the applicant into the exam room
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No breast, rectal or genital exams are required for immigration medicals however applicants do need to remove their outer clothing and wear an examination gown
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A digital photograph will be taken at your appointment and uploaded to your eMedical account - this is a mandatory expectation of IRCC (note: this does not replace the physical, professional photograph you must bring as mentioned in STEP 4)
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Applicants will be required to sign a consent declaration
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If needed, a urine test will be required, please attend well hydrated to assist in obtaining a sample
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The exam itself will take 30 minutes or less; however, the entire process may take up to 1.5 hours
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Results for blood tests and X-Rays must be transmitted to IRCC within 10 days of your exam. It is therefore highly recommended that you arrange for your X-ray and Lab tests (if needed) to be done on the same day. Our office cannot book these for you
COVID 19
If you or your family have received COVID 19 Vaccines please bring proof of vaccination with you to your appointment. We follow Island Health guidelines regarding face masks and they are not currently required to be worn at our facility, unless you are currently having cold or flu symptoms. Please inform our staff if you are currently having cold or flu symptoms.