Why Must IRCC Medical Exam X-Rays Be Done at an Approved Clinic?

Navigating the Canadian immigration process comes with its fair share of paperwork, and the medical exam is no exception. Many applicants wonder: Can my family doctor perform the chest X-ray? Why must it be done at a specific clinic? With so much conflicting advice online, it's easy to feel lost.

The IRCC requires that chest X-rays be performed at approved panel physician clinics. Only these clinics can securely submit results through the eMedical system, ensure proper tuberculosis screening, and verify the applicant's identity. Using an approved clinic ensures your results are accepted and helps prevent delays in your immigration application.

You can find IRCC-approved panel physicians worldwide using the official "Find a Panel Physician" online tool on the Canadian government website. This makes it easy to locate a clinic near you that meets all IRCC requirements.

Here's what you need to know to make the process smooth and straightforward.

Who Needs a Chest X-Ray for a Canadian Visa?

All applicants aged 11 and older need an immigration chest X-ray for tuberculosis screening.

Children under 11 may also need a chest X-ray in certain situations, such as if they:

• Show symptoms that could indicate active TB
• Have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with active TB
• Have a history of TB treatment

These requirements help protect public health, ensuring that all individuals entering Canada are screened for tuberculosis effectively.

Other tests, depending on your age, may also include:

Blood Tests

Applicants 15 years and older need blood tests for HIV, syphilis, and serum creatinine. Additional blood work might be necessary depending on your medical history.

Urinalysis

It is required for applicants aged 5 and older, though your doctor might request it at younger ages if you have specific health concerns.

How Does the X-Ray Process Work?

The process can be confusing for many applicants. At most approved clinics, your entire medical exam, including the physical, blood tests, and chest X-ray, can be completed in a single visit. Sometimes, you may need an immigration medical exam and a separate X-ray at a different approved facility.

Who Handles Your X-Rays?

Your chest X-ray needs to be read by a radiologist who's authorized to work with your panel physician's clinic. The radiologist follows specific IRCC technical instructions when reviewing your images for signs of tuberculosis.

Some clinics have their own X-ray facilities on-site. Others send you to a separate imaging center. Either way, your X-ray results get submitted through the same eMedical system as the rest of your medical exam.

What Happens After Your Scan?

After taking your chest X-ray, the images are submitted in DICOM format through eMedical. This eMedical X-ray submission process ensures your results reach IRCC securely. The radiologist reviews them and flags any findings that might indicate active tuberculosis. If something looks suspicious, your panel physician will discuss it with you and may refer you to a TB specialist for further evaluation.

What If You're Pregnant?

If you're pregnant and undergoing an immigration medical exam, you may be concerned about the chest X-ray requirement. According to IRCC guidelines, chest X-rays are typically deferred during pregnancy.

Here's how it works:

• Deferral During Pregnancy: If you're pregnant, the chest X-ray is postponed until after delivery or when your physician deems it clinically safe. This approach minimizes potential risks to the developing fetus.
• Postpartum X-Ray: After childbirth, you must complete the chest X-ray to fulfill the medical examination requirements. It's essential to arrange this as soon as possible to avoid delays in your immigration process.
• Communication With the Authorities: It's advisable to inform your visa office about the delay due to pregnancy. This proactive communication can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure your application proceeds smoothly once all medical requirements are met.

Why the Delay?

The primary concern is the potential risk of radiation exposure to the fetus. While diagnostic X-rays, such as chest X-rays, involve low radiation levels, they are generally avoided during pregnancy unless necessary. This precaution aligns with medical guidelines prioritizing minimizing potential risks to the unborn child.

What About Lead Shielding?

During your immigration chest X-ray, lead shielding may be used to protect parts of the body that are not being imaged, such as the abdomen or pelvis, particularly for pregnant applicants.

IRCC guidance:

• Chest X-rays are safe for most applicants, including those who are not pregnant, when conducted at approved panel physician clinics.
• For pregnant applicants, the X-ray is usually deferred until after delivery. If the test is medically necessary, panel physicians take precautions, including using lead shielding to minimize fetal exposure.
• Small lead markers may occasionally be used on the chest to help radiologists distinguish normal anatomical features from potential TB findings. These markers are for diagnostic accuracy, not additional radiation protection.

By following these procedures at an approved clinic, applicants can ensure their immigration X-ray is performed safely and in accordance with IRCC requirements.

What About Tuberculosis Risk?

You may come across alarming statistics about TB reactivation, but the actual risk is more measured. According to the World Health Organization, about 5–15% of people with latent TB infection will develop active TB during their lifetime, with the highest risk occurring within the first 2–5 years after infection.

For individuals whose chest X-rays show old, inactive TB lesions, the risk of reactivation is higher only if they did not receive proper treatment. Most people today receive effective treatment, which significantly reduces this risk.

If your immigration chest X-ray indicates evidence of prior TB infection, IRCC may require post-landing TB surveillance. This is a routine public health precaution, not an automatic barrier to immigration. It ensures timely monitoring and treatment if needed, protecting both your health and public safety.

How Much Does an Immigration Medical Exam Cost?

Be cautious with online claims about fixed prices. Immigration medical exam fees can vary widely across Canada depending on the clinic, location, and applicant's age.

What affects the cost?

• Some clinics charge extra for weekend appointments or follow-up tests.
• Payment method fees may apply; some clinics only accept cash or debit.
• Chest X-rays may be billed separately if done at a different facility.

What's usually included?

• Physical examination
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Doctor's fees

Refugees and IFHP coverage: Applicants covered under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) typically receive the immigration medical exam and all required tests at no cost.

Since IRCC does not regulate fees, it's best to check with your clinic in advance to understand the full cost and any additional charges.

How Long Does Everything Take?

Timelines for immigration medical exams can vary, which often causes confusion. Panel physicians normally submit results through the eMedical system within 10 days of completing your tests. Some clinics process and transmit reports faster, often within 2–4 days, but 10 days is the standard timeframe to plan for.

Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months from the date of the exam. If your immigration application takes longer than this, IRCC may require a new medical exam to ensure your health information is current.

What Happens During Your Appointment?

A typical immigration medical exam appointment lasts about 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on clinic volume and whether you attend alone or with family.

Here's what to expect:

• Identity verification: Bring your passport or another government-issued ID with a photo and signature.
• Medical history questionnaire: The doctor will review your past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and hospitalizations.
• Physical exam: This includes checking height, weight, and blood pressure and examining major systems such as eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, and skin. It does not include breast, genital, gynecological, or rectal examinations.
• Diagnostic tests: Depending on your age, this may include blood work, urinalysis, and a chest X-ray.

If any results, such as your X-ray or blood tests, raise concerns, the clinic will contact you before submitting the information to IRCC.

IRCC X-Ray Requirements: What Should You Bring?

Essential documents:

• Valid passport or government-issued photo ID: Required for identity verification.
• Medical history documents: Previous medical reports or test results, if you have existing health conditions.
• List of current medications: You can also bring the medication bottles.
• Vaccination records: These include COVID-19, if available.
• IMM 1017 form: Only if IRCC specifically sent you one for a non-upfront medical exam.

You do NOT need to bring:

• Photos: The clinic takes a digital photograph for eMedical.
• Referral from your family doctor: Appointments are booked directly with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
• Fasting instructions: Routine immigration blood tests do not require fasting.

Get Your Immigration Medical Exam Done Right Right Here in Brampton

At Complete Immigration Medical Centre, we understand that your immigration journey matters. That's why we've created a clinic exclusively focused on immigration medical exams. Our IRCC-approved panel physicians have the experience and knowledge to guide you through every step of the process. With on-site X-ray and lab testing, you'll get everything done in one convenient visit at our Brampton location.

Whether you're coming from Mississauga, Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, or anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, we're here to make this easier for you. Our staff speaks Hindi and Punjabi, offers free parking, and uses fast paperless e-processing to submit your results quickly. There is no running around to different locations, just a straightforward, supportive experience from start to finish.

Call us at (905) 459-2700 or book your appointment online. We're located at 36 Vodden St E #203, Brampton, ON L6V 4H4, easily accessible by Brampton Transit and GO Transit and close to Highways 410, 401, and 407.