If you are visiting Canada for more than six months, it’s most likely that you need to obtain a visa. This process involves taking a medical examination performed by a panel physician (find a panel physician) to determine if you have a condition that could pose a public health risk.
Depending on what country you are from and how long you plan to stay in Canada, there are different visa types available, which you can find on the Government of Canada’s Immigration and Citizenship page.
The following are just some common health conditions that may disqualify you from entering Canada:
1. Active Tuberculosis (TB)
This is highly contagious and can be deadly, which may deny you entry to Canada. You may need to treat the condition before reapplying for a visa.
If you have latent TB, you may be allowed entry, but you will be required to undergo special precautions, such as taking medication and getting chest x-rays, to prevent the condition from becoming active. Also, there are conditions that you need to follow as soon as you arrive in the country.
Remember that you don’t just go to any doctor when you take your medical test. The Canadian government has a list of panel-approved physicians who can only perform medical examinations for visa applications, such as GTA Immigration Medical Clinic Markham. You can check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for a panel physician in your area.
2. HIV/AIDS
Canada doesn’t ban people from entering Canada with the following conditions:
- You will only stay in the country for less than six months.
- You disclose your situation to the panel physician and the immigration officer during your entry interview and are seeking entry for treatment that isn’t available in your home country.
- You have a letter from a health care professional or doctor stating that you’re in good health and pose no risk to others.
- You will have private health insurance for the duration of your stay.
- You understand that you must comply with all the conditions of your stay, such as not working or studying without proper authorization.
- You are the spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, or parent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and you meet the other requirements for entry.
- You are a refugee or protected person and meet the other entry requirements.
3. Severe Mental Illness
If you have a mental illness that’s so severe that it poses a danger to yourself or others, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.
You may be allowed entry if you’re seeking treatment in Canada that isn’t available in your home country, and you have a letter from a health care professional or doctor stating that you’re in good health and pose no risk to others. You will also need private health insurance for the duration of your stay.
4. Active Syphilis
This condition is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems, including paralysis, blindness, and death. If you have active syphilis, you will not be allowed to enter Canada. You may need to treat the condition before you can reapply for a visa.
On your appointment with the panel physician, you will be asked about your sexual history and whether you’ve ever had syphilis. If you have had this condition in the past, they may require you to provide proof that it was adequately treated. It’s important to note that whatever your visa application outcome is, your panel physician doesn’t have to do anything with it. Also, whatever the cost of the medical test, you have to pay directly to them. See this link for pricing reference.
5. Untreated Drug Addiction
You may also fail to enter the country if you have an untreated drug addiction. If you’re seeking entry to receive treatment for your addiction, you may be permitted entry if you have a letter from a health care professional or doctor stating that you’re in good health and pose no risk to others. You will also need private health insurance for the duration of your stay.
Final Thoughts
These are just some reasons you may not be allowed to enter Canada. Consider consulting a qualified immigration lawyer or licensed immigration consultant if you have concerns about your eligibility. Also, ensure that a panel physician performs your medical test.
