Super Visa Medical Exam Requirements in Canada: What Parents and Grandparents Need to Know

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If you are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident planning to visit Canada on a Super Visa, you may be required to complete an immigration medical exam before your visa is approved. Understanding when this requirement applies and how the process works can help you plan your visit without delays.

What Is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multi-entry temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with a visa validity of up to 10 years. Unlike family sponsorship for permanent residence, the Super Visa is a temporary resident pathway — and as a temporary resident, you are subject to IRCC's medical requirements for extended stays in Canada.

When Is a Medical Exam Required for a Super Visa?

An Immigration Medical Exam (IME) is required for Super Visa applicants because the Super Visa allows stays of more than six months — one of the main triggers for the medical exam requirement under IRCC rules. In addition, applicants from certain designated countries or who have lived or travelled in designated countries for six months or more in the previous year may also be required to complete an IME. Your IRCC visa officer will confirm the requirement in your specific case, but most Super Visa applicants should expect to complete one.

What Does the Super Visa Medical Exam Include?

The Super Visa medical exam is a standard Immigration Medical Exam (IME) conducted by an IRCC-accredited panel physician. It includes:

• A complete physical examination.
• Blood tests for HIV and syphilis (required for applicants 15 years and older).
• A urine test.
• A chest X-ray to screen for tuberculosis (required for applicants 11 years and older).

How Long Is the Exam Valid?

Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months from the date of your exam. If your Super Visa application is not finalized within that period, IRCC may request that you complete a new medical exam. Plan your exam timing carefully relative to your intended application submission date.

Super Visa vs. Parent Sponsorship: Which Exam Applies?

It is important to distinguish between the Super Visa and the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP). The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa for extended visits; the PGP is a permanent residence pathway. Each has its own application process, processing times, and medical requirements. If you are applying for permanent residence through the PGP, your IME requirements follow the permanent residence rules, not the temporary resident rules described here.

Ready to book your immigration medical exam?

View our current pricing or schedule a same-day appointment at Immedex, an IRCC-accredited panel physician clinic in Scarborough serving the GTA. All tests completed in one visit.