Before the covid-19 pandemic hit the whole world in early 2020, Canada welcomed over 400,000 new international students in 2019. Reports said that this is twice as much 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.
Canada is one of the leading student destinations in the world. Mainly due to its high-quality education, standard of living, beautiful landscapes, opportunities, etc. But before an international student experiences these, they need to accomplish all requirements, including a medical examination.
What Is Student Visa Medical Examination?
The immigration medical examination (IME) is one of the essential 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, as long as an approved panel physician performs the test. 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 IRCC page, or they can choose to search for themselves. To limit their search within their area, they can look for “Ottawa immigration medical exam locations” if, for instance, they’re from the place.
What Medical Tests Are Required?
Generally, physical checks and tests for the following are mandatory:
- Eyes
- Nose
- Heart
- Lungs
- Chest X-rays
- Syphilis test
- Urine test
Visa candidates with infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and active syphilis, are considered inadmissible. Even without these illnesses, having direct contact with somebody with a contagious disease can be a reason to fail to enter the country. Medical exam results that show psychiatric conditions with possibilities of violent behavior and medical conditions that require hospitalization and continuous medical care are also often denied entry.
What to Expect During the Medical Exam?
Before their appointment, visa applicants should consider visiting the IRCC website or their chosen panel physician’s page if there are any to verify needed requirements during the medical exam. They have to remember that the doctor won’t perform the test if they lack a single document. For instance, they need to present their identification to confirm their identity at the clinic.
Before the physical exam, the applicants will answer a medical history questionnaire. Being honest about previous or current medical conditions can avoid issues and delays during the process. They should expect the following procedures:
- 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 chest x-rays and laboratory tests, plus additional tests based on their medical exam results. After the exam, the applicants will receive a result and a document confirming they had a medical exam. Click here for more about the exam process.
Applicants’ Rights During the Medical Exam
Applicants must be aware of their rights to bring someone during the medical exam. They may also be allowed to 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
In case of dissatisfaction with how the panel physician or panel radiologist performed the exam and tests, they may complain using the web form or contacting the client support center of IRCC’s website.
How to Pass the Medical Exam to Get a Student Visa?
A few days before the medical exam, applicants must follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, including sleeping well, staying hydrated, and reducing stress. If they know they have existing medical and mental conditions that could impact their medical test result, they can choose to work with legal experts.
Usually, immigration officers send a procedural fairness letter through email or snail mail to a student visa candidate to explain any issues they find, including medical test results. This is similar to other Canadian visas, such as permanent residency. Visit this page for more details about the medical exam process for pr Ottawa area.