Top 3 Medical Reasons for Inadmissibility to Canada
Understanding medical inadmissibility to Canada
Why You May Be Denied Entry into Canada for Medical Reasons:
Healthcare in Canada stands as one of the most cherished and vital government services. To shed light on why you might face denial of entry into Canada, here are the three primary medical reasons that could lead to your inadmissibility:
1. Danger to Public Health:
Your medical condition might be considered a potential threat to Canada’s public health. The final decision hinges on the outcomes of your immigration medical examination, which includes lab tests conducted by third-party physicians and specialist reports requested by Canadian medical officers. Factors under scrutiny include:
- Presence of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis or syphilis, or close contact with individuals afflicted by such diseases.
- The potential impact of your health condition on Canadian permanent residents and citizens.
2. Danger to Public Safety:
Your application may be declined if your health condition is believed to pose a risk of excessive demand for healthcare or social services. The basis for this determination rests on the results of your immigration medical examination, which considers conditions or symptoms such as:
- Sudden and severe incapacitation leading to the loss of mental or physical abilities.
- Demonstrations of violent or unpredictable behavior.
3. Excessive Demand on Health and Social Services:
In some cases, your application may be rejected if it is deemed that your health condition could place an excessive burden on Canada’s healthcare or social services. The decision relies on the findings of your immigration medical examination, and your condition is considered to create an excessive demand if:
- The services required to manage and treat your health condition are likely to adversely affect waiting times for healthcare services in Canada.
- The cost of services needed to address your health condition exceeds the established excessive demand cost threshold.
Understanding the Excessive Demand Cost Threshold:
The excessive demand cost threshold serves as a benchmark to assess whether the cost of treating your health condition would impose an excessive burden on Canada’s healthcare and social services. As of now, the threshold stands at 171,736.75 CAD.
It’s important to note that certain exceptions exist for medical inadmissibility due to excessive demand, including individuals who are refugees or depend on them, legally protected persons, and those sponsored by their families, such as dependent children, common-law partners, and spouses.
Response to Medical Inadmissibility:
- Details about your medical diagnosis or health condition.
- Information regarding the cost of required medications or health services.
- A description of the specific healthcare services and medication essential for your well-being.
Ensuring Your Medical Admissibility to Canada
Securing medical admissibility is a crucial step for anyone aspiring to immigrate to Canada. To ensure that you meet the necessary requirements, follow the comprehensive information provided below:
1. Understand the Medical Inadmissibility Criteria:
egin by acquainting yourself with the medical inadmissibility criteria established by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These criteria encompass health conditions that have the potential to harm public health or safety or impose excessive demands on Canada’s social or health services.
2. Undergo and Pass a Medical Exam:
Prospective immigrants applying for Canadian immigration must undergo a medical examination conducted by an approved Canadian medical physician. This examination evaluates your overall health and determines whether you meet the health prerequisites for immigrating to Canada.
3. Obtain a Medical Report:
Following the medical examination conducted by an authorized medical practitioner, you will receive a Medical Certificate or Medical Report. This document holds significant importance in the immigration process and can significantly influence your prospects of successfully immigrating to Canada.
4. Address Medical Inadmissibility Issues:
If you are deemed medically inadmissible based on your medical report, you may need to take steps to address the identified issues. This might involve providing additional medical documentation, outlining treatment plans, or developing mitigation plans. The objective is to demonstrate that your health condition will not pose a risk to public health or safety or lead to excessive demands on Canada’s social or health services.
5. Include Your Dependents in the Medical Exam:
For individuals applying for permanent residence and having dependents, it’s essential to note that all dependents, including those not accompanying you to Canada, must undergo the immigration medical examination and obtain their respective medical reports. The medical admissibility of your dependents can impact your own eligibility for permanent residence.
Understanding Mitigation Plans:
- Outpatient prescription medication.
- If you have employer-based health insurance covering the cost of your medicine.
- Social services.
- If you utilize the services of a private long-term care facility that is willing to admit you and you have the means to cover the financial costs.
It’s essential to note that there is no option to opt out of publicly-funded health services, except in cases involving outpatient prescription medication in some provinces or territories. Submitting a mitigation plan cannot be used to cover the costs of health services.
Preparing Your Mitigation Plan:
When responding to the request for a mitigation plan, be sure to include the procedural fairness letter you received from IRCC. Your mitigation plan should clearly outline:
- How healthcare services will be provided.
- How do you intend to financially support your Canadian healthcare services?
- A detailed overview of your financial situation for the entire period during which you will require healthcare services, accompanied by relevant financial documents.
By diligently adhering to these steps and addressing any medical admissibility concerns, you can enhance your prospects of successfully navigating the immigration process and accessing Canada’s esteemed healthcare system.
