EXTENSION OF A TEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICY
Immigration law
17 Feb
Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy
that exempts certain low-risk foreign nationals in Canada from undergoing an
additional immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their application.
This measure aims to accelerate application processing and enhance client
service for eligible individuals.
Immigration
Minister Sean Fraser had signed the Temporary Public Policy on October 5, 2022,
which was put into effect by IRCC on October 12. This policy was in effect for
two years, until October 6, 2024.
Over its initial
two years, the policy has benefited more than 286,000 clients. The extension
until October 5, 2029, allows for further assessment of operational outcomes
and collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor public
health considerations.
This exemption
is available to foreign nationals who currently have a new or pending
application for either permanent or temporary
residence in Canada, as well as those applying for a permanent resident
visa from within the country. To qualify, applicants must have initiated their
immigration process while residing in Canada, which allows them to benefit from
the streamlined procedures.
This means that
individuals who are in Canada and have submitted their applications for
residence status or visas will not be required to undergo additional medical
examinations if they meet the specific criteria outlined in the temporary
public policy. This exemption is designed to facilitate a more efficient application
process for those already in Canada, ultimately supporting their transition to
permanent or temporary residency.
To qualify, they
must have completed immigration medical examination (IME) within the past five
years (even if it has since expired) and must not have posed any risk to public
health or safety or have complied with monitoring requirements set by public
health authorities.
Applicants who
do not qualify for this temporary public policy must adhere to the standard
health screening procedures, which include undergoing an immigration medical
examination (IME). The IRCC will reach out to those individuals who are
ineligible for the exemption to provide guidance on the next steps in their
application process.
Your personal
doctor is not permitted to conduct the immigration
medical examination (IME) required for your application. Instead, you need to
locate a panel physician who has been officially approved by the relevant
authorities to perform these medical exams. Panel physicians are specifically
trained and authorized to ensure that the examination meets the necessary
health standards and requirements set by immigration regulations. It's
important to consult the list of approved panel physicians to ensure your exam
is valid for your immigration process.
These medical
concerns encompass untreated syphilis, pulmonary tuberculosis, unmanaged mental
health conditions that could lead to violent behavior, and substance abuse that
might pose risks to Canadians.
Your application
may be denied if we determine that your health condition poses a threat to
public safety. This decision will be based on the findings from your
immigration medical exam. We will take into account your risk of experiencing
sudden incapacity, which includes potential loss of physical and mental
abilities.
Things like
criminal history, lying on applications, or health issues can prevent someone
from entering the country. If a permanent
residency application is denied, it can negatively affect future
immigration attempts.