Maple News reports that Canada has introduced a temporary policy exempting certain foreign nationals already residing in the country from completing a new immigration medical exam as part of their permanent residency application. The change is designed to streamline processing and help meet Canada’s ambitious immigration targets for 2021.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this exemption applies to individuals who have applied for permanent residency within Canada but have not yet undergone a new medical examination. To qualify, applicants must have completed an immigration medical exam within the past five years and been deemed to pose no risk to public health or safety. Additionally, they must not have spent more than six consecutive months in a country that requires a new medical exam according to Canada’s immigration health requirements.
Eligible applicants’ family members living in Canada may also benefit from the exemption, provided they meet the same criteria. The temporary public policy is currently in effect and will remain valid until December 28, 2021.
The IRCC states that this measure will help reduce backlogs and accelerate processing times for permanent residency applications. By focusing on individuals already in Canada, the government aims to avoid delays caused by pandemic-related travel restrictions and meet its target of admitting 401,000 new immigrants this year. However, as of April, the country was falling behind that goal.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s immigration strategy has prioritized transitioning temporary residents—such as international students, essential workers, and French-speaking immigrants—to permanent residency. This was achieved via adjustments to existing systems, including the Express Entry program, which focused on inviting candidates already inside Canada.
In a significant move earlier this year, the federal government introduced six temporary immigration pathways to allow essential workers, international graduates, and French-speaking candidates to gain permanent residence. Notably, the 40,000 spots for international graduates were filled within just 25 hours of launching the program. Applications for essential workers and French-speaking streams remain open until November 5 or until all spaces are filled.
Canada’s proactive adjustments to its immigration policies reflect a continued commitment to immigration as a driver of economic growth and demographic stability, particularly in the context of the pandemic.
Maple News continues to monitor how these initiatives affect Canada’s immigration landscape and applicants already in the country.