What is an Immigration Medical Examination (IME)?

An Immigration Medical Examination (IME) is a health assessment required for certain immigration applicants. This examination is conducted to ensure that individuals seeking to immigrate do not pose a health risk to the public and are not likely to put excessive demands on Canada’s health and social services. It assesses various health conditions, including communicable diseases, and is a crucial part of the immigration process for those applying to live or settle in Canada.

The IME helps immigration authorities evaluate the overall health of applicants and whether they meet the medical criteria established by Canadian immigration policy. This assessment can include a physical examination, medical history review, and various laboratory tests.

The other choices present different aspects of the immigration process but do not relate to the medical evaluation. Background checks and language assessments serve different purposes in immigration procedures, as do psychological evaluations, which are not universally required for all immigrants, especially not as a standard procedure for all applicants.