According to Maple News, Canadians planning to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency should carefully consider potential medical inadmissibility issues. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may deny permanent residence if family members are deemed medically inadmissible, particularly if their health conditions are expected to place excessive demand on Canada’s healthcare or social services.
Medical inadmissibility can be determined based on three major criteria: if the person is deemed a danger to public health, poses a threat to public safety, or if their condition is likely to result in significant costs or wait times for healthcare or social services. For 2025, IRCC has set the excessive demand cost threshold at $27,162 per year—or $135,810 over five years.
The most common issues for older applicants typically fall under the “excessive demand” category. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, if not well-managed, could raise concerns during the immigration medical assessment. Therefore, it is essential that applicants’ health conditions are properly treated and documented with updated medical records and specialist reports where applicable.
Maple News reports that all applicants under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) or Super Visa program are required to undergo an immigration medical exam. IRCC evaluates these results to determine whether an applicant’s medical needs may burden Canada’s federally managed services.
Being proactive is key: sponsors should prepare supporting documents that show the applicant’s health conditions are stable, treatment is ongoing, and no extraordinary Canadian healthcare support will be required. Providing comprehensive medical records and, if needed, consulting legal or immigration experts can improve the chances of approval.
While each case is assessed on an individual basis, understanding how IRCC evaluates medical inadmissibility can help families prepare effectively and avoid unnecessary delays or rejections in the sponsorship process.
For those looking to reunite their families in Canada, being aware of these medical considerations and preparing accordingly can make a significant difference.