While inadmissibility is commonly associated with criminal convictions, medical inadmissibility affects over 1,000 immigration applicants annually, according to 2019 Statistics Canada data.
Given that every Canadian permanent residence applicant and certain temporary status applicants must undergo a medical examination, understanding medical inadmissibility is crucial for all Canadian immigration visa seekers.
Concerns often arise among applicants about whether particular medical conditions automatically render them inadmissible to Canada. In essence, there are no specific medical conditions that categorically lead to inadmissibility. Instead, medical inadmissibility is determined based on three overarching principles, detailed below.
What Renders Someone Medically Inadmissible to Canada?
Following a review of standard medical examinations, past medical records, and mental capacity assessments, an immigration applicant may be deemed medically inadmissible to Canada if they:
- Pose a Danger to Public Health: Determined based on medical exam results and the applicant’s health history.
- Pose a Danger to Public Safety: Established if authorities express concerns about the candidate’s potential for sudden mental or physical incapacity or the risk of unpredictable or violent behavior.
- Put Excessive Demand on Canada’s Health/Social Services: Assessed on the belief that an individual’s health condition could negatively impact Canada’s services by extending wait times or incurring costs exceeding the excessive demand cost threshold.
Certain groups, including refugees and their dependents, protected persons, and specific family sponsorship applicants, are exempt from Canada’s medical inadmissibility rules for excessive demand. It’s noteworthy that Canada’s excessive demand cost threshold for 2023 is $25,689 per year ($128,445 over five years).
Can Applicants Overcome Medical Inadmissibility?
Individuals with certain health conditions, such as Chronic Kidney Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Cancers, Autoimmune Diseases, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hepatitis B & C, and Liver Disease, can overcome a designation of ‘medically inadmissible to Canada.’
Seeking Assistance with a Medically Inadmissible Designation
Engaging the services of Canadian immigration lawyers can significantly simplify the understanding and navigation of a medically inadmissible designation. These legal professionals are equipped to assist applicants in preparing necessary documents, avoiding application errors, minimizing unnecessary delays, and facilitating communication with the Canadian government.
Find out if you are eligible for Canada Immigration by contacting us!