Being deemed medically inadmissible can lead to a refusal of your application for Canadian permanent residence (PR). However, there are strategies you can employ to mitigate this risk.
Starting August 21, 2025, all new Express Entry applicants are required to undergo an upfront immigration medical exam (IME) as part of their PR application. Previously, medical exams were only requested post-application submission by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This article delves into how to address the three main reasons for medical inadmissibility as determined by IRCC.
1. Excessive Demand on Health or Social Services
For most Express Entry applicants, this is the primary issue leading to medical inadmissibility. IRCC may decide that your health condition could strain Canadian public resources excessively.
IRCC assesses various factors to determine if your condition(s) might pose an excessive demand, including the results of your IME, current health status, prognosis, and whether the services you require could impact wait times or surpass the cost threshold for Canadian services.
In 2025, the threshold for excessive demand is set at $27,162 annually or $135,810 over five years, subject to periodic revisions by IRCC.
Conditions Triggering Excessive Demand Review
Conditions that could trigger excessive demand include chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, or cardiac issues; psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia; developmental conditions like Down syndrome or autism; mobility or neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy or total knee replacement; and infectious diseases requiring ongoing treatment like hepatitis B/C or tuberculosis.
For a comprehensive list of conditions that may trigger excessive demand, refer to our dedicated website.
Presence on the list does not automatically render you inadmissible.
Actions to Take if at Risk of Medical Inadmissibility
If you are at risk of being medically inadmissible due to excessive demand, consider providing supporting documentation to demonstrate that your condition will not strain Canada’s public health system. This may include proof of private health insurance, recent test results, medical opinions from treating physicians, and additional test results specific to your condition.