Before the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, Canada welcomed over 400,000 new international students in 2019. According to reports, it doubled the number of study permits released by the Canadian government since 2015. Many of these students came from India, which has the highest number, China, South Korea, France, and Vietnam.
The idea of studying and living in one of the most popular student destinations in the world may sound exciting. However, there are some requirements applicants have to complete to allow entry, including a medical for immigration.
What Is Student Visa Medical Examination?
The immigration medical examination (IME) is one of the most important requirements for Canada’s student visa. Others include:
- Proof of funds
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score
- Valid passport
- Acceptance proof by a designated learning institution
- Statement of purpose
- Credit card
- Police certificate
Where and Whom to Get a Medical Test?
Applicants can get a medical exam in their home country or another country of their choice. What’s important is that the doctor to conduct their medical test is an approved panel physician. They should be on the list of designated panel physicians approved by IRCC, who will also issue a Health certificate valid for one year.
Visa applicants can find a panel physician near them at the CIC page, or they can opt to search for themselves. To limit their search within their area, they can look for “Canadian immigration medical examination process Ottawa” if, for instance, they’re from the place.
What Medical Tests Are Required?
In general, physical checks and tests for the following are mandatory:
- Eyes
- Nose
- Heart
- Lungs
- Chest X-rays
- Syphilis test
- Urine test
Visa candidates suffering from infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and active syphilis, are considered inadmissible. Medical exam results that show psychiatric and medical conditions that require hospitalization and continuous medical care are also often denied entry.
What to Expect During the Medical Exam?
Before arriving at the medical exam area, it’s always best for applicants to visit the website of their chosen panel clinic. It ensures they bring everything they need because the doctor will not perform the test if they lack any requirements. At the clinic, they need to present identification to confirm their identity.
Before the physical exam, the applicants will answer a medical history questionnaire. Being honest about previous or current medical conditions can avoid issues during the process. Typical tests include:
- Weighing
- Measuring their height
- Hearing and vision check
- Blood pressure taking
- Feeling their pulse
- Heart and lungs listening
- Feeling their abdomen
- Checking their limbs move
- Inspecting their skin
Depending on the applicant’s age, the doctor may request to undergo chest x-rays and laboratory tests. They may also accomplish more testing based on their medical exam results. After the exam, the applicants will receive a result, plus a document confirming they had a medical exam.
Applicants’ Rights During the Medical Exam
Applicants must remember that they have the right to bring someone during the medical exam. They may also do the following:
- Stop the medical exam any time to ask questions about what the doctor is doing
- Ask the facility to have a staff member in the room
- Stop the test and ask for a chaperone, even if they refused it at first
If they’re not satisfied with how the panel physician or panel radiologist did the exam and tests, they may complain using the web form or contacting the client support centre on the IRCC website.
How to Pass the Medical Exam to Get a Student Visa?
A few days before the medical exam, applicants should consider following a healthy diet and lifestyle, including sleeping well, staying hydrated, and staying calm. If they know they have existing medical and mental conditions that may affect their medical test result, they can opt to work with legal experts.
Usually, immigration officers send a procedural fairness letter through email or snail mail to a student visa candidate to answer any concerns they find, including medical test results.
