Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its list of countries and territories whose nationals may be required to undergo an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) when applying for temporary residence in Canada. The changes took effect on November 3, 2025, and apply to applicants who submit their temporary resident applications on or after that date.
The revised list includes four newly added countries/regions and six that have been removed from IME requirements.

The following countries and regions have been added to or removed from the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) requirement list according to the latest announcement from IRCC.

Newly Added Countries Requiring an IME

The following countries and regions have been newly added to the list of those requiring an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) under the latest announcement.

• Argentina
• Colombia
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Countries Removed From IME Requirements

The following countries and regions have been removed from the list of those requiring an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) under the latest announcement.

• Armenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Iraq
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Taiwan

Temporary residence applicants (including visitors, workers, and students) may be required to complete an IME if any of the following apply:

• They intend to stay in Canada for more than six months, and their recent travel history includes a country/region on the updated list.
• They are applying for a Parent or Grandparent Super Visa.
• They plan to work in occupations that involve close contact with vulnerable populations, such as healthcare, elder care, childcare, or similar fields.

Applicants staying in Canada for six months or less and who are not working in designated public health–related occupations are generally exempt.

IRCC may require either a standard IME or a streamlined version, depending on the applicant’s situation. Instructions are issued after an application is submitted. Applicants must book their exam with a Panel Physician approved by IRCC.

Under the temporary public health policy valid until October 5, 2029, some applicants already living in Canada may be exempt from taking a new IME if:

• They are currently applying for temporary residence or permanent residence from within Canada, and
• They completed an IME within the past five years, and the results indicated minimal public health risk.

We recommend that applicants:

• Review their travel history over the past 12 months to determine whether the new requirements apply.
• Allow sufficient time for IME booking and processing, especially during peak periods.
• Check IRCC’s latest official updates before submission, as country lists may change again in the future.

If you have questions about whether you need an IME or require support with your application, our team at VisaJP Canada is here to help.

This news has been organized and summarized by VisaJP Canada based on the official announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Since the list of IME-required countries may change in the future, we recommend checking the latest information on IRCC’s official website before submitting your application.
Source: Medical exams for visitors, students and workers