Express Entry is the mechanism used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage the intake of economic immigration applications through the Federal skilled worker class (FSWC) and Federal skilled trades class (FSTC). An immigration medical exam (IME) from a panel physician is a mandatory requirement for the applicants.

However, from October 1, 2023, upfront medical examinations are no longer required at the time of application for Express Entry. The processing office has been asked to not reject these applications as incomplete. Applicants will be asked to await further instruction as to when an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) will be required.

Document requirements – Applications received on or after October 1, 2023

Express Entry applicants are no longer required to complete and submit an upfront medical examination (UFM) at the time of application submission, and applicants will be asked to await further instruction as to when an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) is required.

If applicants have previously completed an IME, they will be asked to include a copy in the pre-existing upload field for IMEs. Applicants who have never completed an IME will be instructed to upload a blank document.

If no IME was provided, processing offices should conduct an integrated search for any previously completed IMEs, and associate the IME to the application accordingly.

Processing offices should then review and apply the temporary public policy (TPP), if the applicant is eligible.

If no IME is found, and the TPP cannot be applied, instructions to undergo an IME should be sent to the applicant.

Express Entry is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) system for managing the intake of economic immigration applications primarily through the Federal skilled worker class (FSWC) and Federal skilled trades class (FSTC).

In Express Entry, applicants are required to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) within 60 calendar days of being issued an invitation to apply (ITA). The Express Entry 6-month processing standard begins when the application is submitted. This is based on the application received date in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). It ends when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a final decision on the application.