Canadian Immigration Resources

Receiving an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that your Canadian immigration application has entered processing. After AOR, one of the most anticipated updates is the medical request.

Search terms such as medical request after AOR Canada, IRCC medical request timeline, and immigration medical after AOR are common because applicants want clarity on when IRCC asks for an immigration medical exam and what happens next.

This guide explains how medical requests fit into post-AOR processing in Canada, what triggers an IRCC medical request, and what to expect when completing your immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician such as GTA Immigration Physicians.

What Is a Medical Request After AOR?

A medical request is an official instruction from IRCC requiring an applicant to complete an immigration medical exam as part of admissibility assessment.

AOR confirms that IRCC has accepted your application into processing. It does not mean that medical review has already occurred. Medical admissibility is assessed at a stage determined by IRCC’s internal workflow.

If you would like a deeper explanation of what AOR means within the Canadian immigration system, you can review our full breakdown of AOR in Canada and how long it takes within IRCC processing.

When IRCC determines that a medical exam is required, instructions appear in the applicant’s online account. The immigration medical exam must then be completed with an IRCC-approved panel physician.

When Does IRCC Send a Medical Request After AOR?

There is no fixed timeline published by IRCC for when a medical request is issued after AOR. The timing of an IRCC medical request depends on:

• Application category (Express Entry, PR, work permit, super visa)

• File complexity

• Internal processing sequence

• Whether a valid medical exam already exists

• IRCC operational workload

In some Canadian immigration applications, the medical request may appear earlier in the process. In others, it may appear later during eligibility or background review.

Because IRCC processes different streams differently, medical request timing after AOR can vary significantly.

For a broader overview of how files progress after AOR, including eligibility and background stages, see our complete guide to what happens after AOR in Canada and IRCC processing timelines.

Why IRCC Requires an Immigration Medical Exam

Under Canadian immigration law, IRCC uses immigration medical exams to assess whether applicants:

• Pose a danger to public health

• Pose a danger to public safety

• May create excessive demand on health or social services (where applicable)

Medical admissibility applies to many permanent residence applications and certain temporary residence categories.

When IRCC determines that an immigration medical exam is required, it must be completed with a designated panel physician. Panel physicians are doctors approved by IRCC to perform immigration medical exams and submit results electronically using e-Medical, the online medical reporting system used by IRCC.

GTA Immigration Physicians is an IRCC-approved panel physician clinic in the Greater Toronto Area specializing in immigration medical exams for Canadian immigration applications.

Does Every Applicant Receive a Medical Request After AOR?

Not every applicant receives a medical request after AOR.

Whether an immigration medical exam is required depends on IRCC rules and the specific immigration category. Medical exams are commonly required for:

• Permanent residence applicants

• Express Entry applicants

• Many work permit applicants

• Super visa applicants

• Certain long-term temporary residents

Temporary resident medical requirements may depend on duration of stay, intended occupation, and IRCC criteria.

For a detailed breakdown of which visa categories require an immigration medical exam, see our guide on who needs an immigration medical exam in Canada under current IRCC rules.

Receiving AOR does not automatically mean that a medical request will be issued immediately. IRCC determines medical requirements based on the specific file.

Express Entry and Medical Requests After AOR

For Express Entry permanent residence applicants, medical admissibility is part of the overall assessment process.

Some applicants may already have a valid immigration medical exam where IRCC policy allows reuse. Others will receive a formal IRCC medical request after AOR.

The timing of a medical request after AOR can differ between applicants, even within the same Express Entry stream.

When required, the immigration medical exam must be completed through a panel physician. GTA Immigration Physicians conducts immigration medical exams for Express Entry applicants across Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Markham, Richmond Hill, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Mississauga, and Brampton.

All medical results are submitted electronically through e-Medical for IRCC review.

Work Permit Applications and IRCC Medical Requests

Work permit applicants frequently search for clarity on medical requests after AOR.

IRCC medical requirements for work permits depend on established criteria, including:

• Type of occupation

• Work environment

• Length of stay

• Other IRCC-specific considerations

Receiving AOR does not confirm whether an immigration medical exam is required. IRCC determines medical requirements based on the application details.

When a medical request is issued for a work permit application, the immigration medical exam must be completed through an IRCC-approved panel physician clinic such as GTA Immigration Physicians.

What Happens When You Receive an IRCC Medical Request?

When IRCC issues a medical request after AOR, the applicant receives:

• A message in their IRCC online account

• Instructions outlining the required immigration medical exam

• A deadline for completion

The immigration medical exam typically includes:

• Review of medical history

• Physical examination performed by a panel physician

• Chest X-ray (when required under IRCC age-based criteria)

• Blood work (when required under IRCC age-based criteria)

All components of the immigration medical exam are conducted according to IRCC standards.

To prepare for your appointment, you can review our complete checklist outlining what to bring to your immigration medical exam in Canada to avoid delays.

What Happens After the Immigration Medical Exam?

After the immigration medical exam is completed, the panel physician submits results electronically using e-Medical. Applicants do not submit medical results themselves.

IRCC reviews the results as part of the admissibility stage of the immigration process. The timing of medical review can vary depending on overall file progression.

Immigration Medical Exams at GTA Immigration Physicians

GTA Immigration Physicians is an IRCC-approved panel physician clinic specializing exclusively in immigration medical exams.

The clinic provides comprehensive, on-site immigration medical services, allowing applicants to complete all required components of their medical exam in one location. This typically includes:

• Physical examination by a designated panel physician

• Blood work performed on-site when required

• Chest X-ray completed on-site when required

By offering on-site examination, laboratory testing, and imaging, GTA Immigration Physicians simplifies the immigration medical process for applicants across the Greater Toronto Area.

The clinic serves patients from:

• Toronto

• North York

• Scarborough

• Markham

• Richmond Hill

• Ajax

• Pickering

• Whitby

• Mississauga

• Brampton

All immigration medical results are submitted electronically through e-Medical in accordance with IRCC panel physician standards.

When IRCC issues a medical request after AOR, applicants from across the GTA choose GTA Immigration Physicians to complete their required immigration medical exam efficiently and in compliance with IRCC guidelines.

For detailed pricing and appointment information, you can review our immigration medical exam cost guide for Canada.

What If There Is No Medical Request Yet?

It is common for applicants to monitor their IRCC account closely after receiving AOR. The absence of a medical request immediately after AOR does not necessarily indicate a problem.

Medical requests may be issued at different stages depending on:

• Immigration category

• Internal processing sequence

• Background review timing

• File complexity

Because IRCC workflows vary, medical request timing after AOR can differ significantly between applicants.

Key Points About Medical Requests After AOR

• A medical request is issued when IRCC determines a medical exam is required for admissibility assessment.

• There is no universal timeline for when an IRCC medical request appears after AOR.

• Not every Canadian immigration application requires an immigration medical exam.

• Immigration medical exams must be completed through an IRCC-approved panel physician.

• Medical results are submitted electronically through e-Medical for IRCC review.

Understanding how medical requests fit into post-AOR processing helps applicants prepare for the next stage of their Canadian immigration application.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or medical advice. Immigration requirements, IRCC policies, and medical procedures may change, and individual circumstances vary. Applicants should consult official IRCC guidance or seek advice from a licensed immigration professional regarding their application. Immigration medical exams must be completed through an IRCC-designated panel physician when required.