Canadian Immigration Resources

If you’re applying for permanent residence, a work permit, a study permit, or refugee protection in Canada, completing an immigration medical exam (IME) is a mandatory step in the process. At GTA Immigration Physicians, one of the most common and anxiety-provoking questions we hear from applicants is:

“What happens if my immigration medical exam expires?”

This concern is especially common for applicants whose files have been in process for several months or who are waiting on background checks, security screening, or final approval.

The short answer is that an expired immigration medical exam does not automatically mean your application will be refused. However, IRCC cannot finalize your application unless all medical requirements are valid at the time of decision.

This guide explains what happens when an immigration medical expires, how validity works, why expiry is common, when re-medicals are requested, and what practical steps you should expect next.

How Long Is an Immigration Medical Exam Valid?

In most cases, an immigration medical exam is valid for 12 months from the date the exam is completed. The validity period does not start when IRCC receives the results, and it does not pause during processing.

This applies whether the exam was:

• An upfront medical exam completed before submitting an application, or

• A medical exam completed after receiving an IMM 1017 medical request letter

Once the 12-month period ends, the medical exam is considered expired, even if your immigration application remains under review.

Many applicants booking with GTA Immigration Physicians are surprised by this. We explain medical exam timelines in more detail in our guide on how long the IRCC immigration medical exam process takes.

Why Immigration Medical Exams Commonly Expire

Expired immigration medical exams are extremely common and usually occur due to normal processing timelines rather than any issue with the applicant or the clinic.

Common reasons include:

• IRCC processing times extending beyond 12 months

• High volumes of immigration applications

• Background, security, or eligibility checks taking longer than anticipated

• Applications placed on hold while waiting for additional documents or verifications

At GTA Immigration Physicians, we frequently see applicants who completed their medical exam promptly but still require a re-medical simply because their application took longer than expected to reach final approval.

What Happens If My Immigration Medical Exam Expires?

Your Application Is Not Automatically Refused

An expired immigration medical exam does not automatically result in refusal.

When a medical expires, IRCC will continue processing your application and will determine how to proceed. In most cases, IRCC will issue a request for a new medical exam before finalizing the application.

Medical expiry alone does not indicate a problem with your health, your eligibility, or your application.

You May Receive a Re-Medical Request

If IRCC requires updated medical results, you will receive a new medical request letter through your IRCC online account or by email.

This request means:

• You must complete another immigration medical exam

• The exam must be performed by an IRCC-approved panel physician

• Previous medical results cannot be reused once expired

We’ve explained what this request looks like and how it works in our detailed guide on the IMM 1017 medical request letter.

Do I Need to Redo the Entire Medical Exam?

In most cases, yes.

A re-medical exam is treated as a new immigration medical exam and usually includes:

• A full panel physician assessment

• A chest X-ray, depending on age

• Blood testing, depending on age

IRCC determines exactly which components are required for each applicant. Panel physicians, including those at GTA Immigration Physicians, are not permitted to alter or waive required tests.

Even if your previous exam was completely normal, IRCC still requires updated results once the original medical has expired.

What If I Already Completed an Upfront Medical Exam?

Upfront medical exams are also valid for 12 months from the date of completion.

If your application is not finalized within that period, IRCC may request a new medical exam before approving your application. This is a common scenario for permanent residence applicants and work permit holders.

We cover the differences between these situations in our comparison of upfront medical exams versus medical request letters.

Will I Have to Pay Again for a Re-Medical?

Yes. A re-medical exam is considered a new exam and is not covered by IRCC.

Repeat medical exams are usually required due to processing timelines rather than applicant error, but the cost of the exam is still the applicant’s responsibility.

We’ve outlined typical fees and what’s included in our immigration medical exam cost guide.

What If My Status in Canada Is Expiring Soon?

An expired immigration medical exam does not cancel your current legal status in Canada and does not invalidate an existing permit.

However, IRCC cannot finalize an application without valid medical results. If your work permit, study permit, or visitor status is approaching expiry, it’s important to maintain legal status through the appropriate extension or bridging options while your application continues.

Applicants booking re-medicals at GTA Immigration Physicians often do so while holding maintained status, which is entirely normal.

Refugees and IFHP Applicants: What Happens If the Medical Expires?

For refugee claimants and applicants covered under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), medical expiry requires special attention.

In practice:

• IFHP only covers one immigration medical exam (one eMedical) per person

• If IRCC requests a re-medical due to expiry, the repeat exam is private-pay

• Valid refugee or IFHP documentation must still be presented at the time of booking

We discuss this in more detail in our guide to immigration medical exams for refugees and IFHP-covered applicants.

How to Avoid Further Delays After a Re-Medical Request

Once IRCC issues a re-medical request, timing becomes important.

To help avoid additional delays:

• Book your appointment as soon as possible

• Bring your medical request letter and identification

• Choose a clinic with on-site X-ray and laboratory services

• Ensure your personal details exactly match your IRCC application

At GTA Immigration Physicians, all required tests are completed on-site, which helps reduce delays caused by external referrals.

Key Takeaways: Immigration Medical Exam Expiry

• Immigration medical exams are valid for 12 months

• Medical expiry is common and part of normal processing timelines

• Expiry does not automatically result in refusal

• IRCC may request a re-medical exam before finalizing an application

• Refugee re-medicals are private-pay once IFHP coverage has been used

Book an Immigration Medical Exam in the GTA

If you have received a re-medical request or are unsure about next steps, GTA Immigration Physicians offers:

• Same-day and next-day appointments

• IRCC-approved panel physicians

• On-site X-ray and laboratory testing

• Services for permanent residence, work permits, PGWP, visitors, students, and refugees

• A convenient North York and GTA location with TTC access and parking

Important Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or immigration advice. Immigration rules and procedures can change, and individual circumstances vary. Applicants should consult a licensed immigration consultant, immigration lawyer, or authorized representative for advice specific to their situation.