Super Visa Medical Test: What to Expect & How to Prepare

Costs vary by country and panel physician, typically ranging from $200-$450 CAD per person for the basic exam and chest x-ray. Additional laboratory tests, if required, may cost extra. Panel physicians set their own fees, so it's worth calling several clinics to compare pricing. Payment is usually required at the time of your appointment.

Generally, no fasting is required for Super Visa medical exams. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. However, if the panel physician orders specific blood tests that require fasting, they'll inform you in advance. When booking your appointment, confirm with the clinic whether any special preparation is needed.

IRCC assesses medical inadmissibility based on two criteria: danger to public health or excessive demand on health services. If initial results show concerns, you may be asked for additional tests or specialist assessments. Many conditions don't result in automatic refusal—IRCC reviews each case individually. If deemed medically inadmissible, you'll receive a refusal letter explaining the decision.

Yes, this is called an "upfront medical" and is actually recommended. Completing your medical exam before submitting your application speeds up processing time and eliminates the risk of missing the 30-day deadline after receiving medical instructions from IRCC. After the exam, you'll receive a document with your UMI (Unique Medical Identifier) to include with your application.

No, the panel physician will NOT examine your genitals or rectal area—these examinations are not required for immigration medical exams. The doctor may need to examine breasts, and if so, they'll explain why and how the examination will be conducted. You have the right to request a chaperone at any time during the exam.

A sputum test is used to screen for active tuberculosis if your chest x-ray shows abnormalities. Not everyone needs this test—it's only required in specific cases as determined by the panel physician. If needed, you'll provide sputum (mucus from deep in your lungs) samples over 2-3 consecutive days. Results typically take 4-8 weeks, which can significantly extend your application processing time.

Yes, you can complete your medical exam with any IRCC-approved panel physician anywhere in the world, regardless of where you live or are applying from. This flexibility is helpful if you're traveling or if panel physicians in your area have long wait times. Find the list of authorized panel physicians on the IRCC website.

Medical exams are valid for 12 months. If your application takes longer than expected and your medical expires before approval, IRCC will typically request that you complete another exam. Seniors are more likely to be asked to redo medicals than younger applicants. To avoid this, consider submitting your application soon after completing the medical exam, especially if processing times for your country are lengthy.

The panel physician submits medical results directly to IRCC, not to insurance companies. However, conditions discovered during your medical exam can affect your Super Visa insurance coverage and premiums. When purchasing mandatory medical insurance, you must disclose these conditions to ensure proper coverage. Failing to disclose can result in denied claims later.