Immigration Chest X-Ray in Toronto & the GTA
For the chest X-ray an IRCC panel physician asks for as part of your immigration medical exam.
At a glance
- How long
- About 10 minutes in the room
- How to prepare
- See the steps below Full instructions
- Cost
- Covered by OHIP With a requisition
If an IRCC panel physician has asked you to get a chest X-ray, it's part of your immigration medical exam. The X-ray helps screen your lungs for conditions such as tuberculosis. It isn't covered by OHIP, and the panel physician tells you where to have it done and what to bring.
Chest X-rays for immigration are on Bluewater's list of uninsured services. Please call our call centre at 416-462-0064 before you come, so we can check your paperwork and point you to the right clinic.
How the immigration medical exam works
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says your own doctor can't do the medical exam. It has to be a panel physician on IRCC's approved list.
- Everyone applying for permanent residence needs an exam, including family members on the application. Visitors, students and workers may need one, depending on how long they'll stay, where they've lived and the kind of work they'll do.
- Depending on your age, the panel physician may ask you to have chest X-rays and lab tests at a clinic or laboratory.
- Panel physicians use eMedical, IRCC's online system, to record and send your exam results to IRCC. You don't carry the results yourself.
- The panel physician gives you a document confirming you had the exam. Keep it. IRCC says the results are valid for 12 months.
What to bring and how to prepare
- Photo ID. IRCC strongly recommends your passport. To check what ID we need at check-in, call 416-462-0064.
- The paperwork your panel physician gave you. To check which form or number we need, call 416-462-0064.
- No preparation for a plain X-ray. Avoid clothing with metal zippers or snaps where you can.
- Tell us if you may be pregnant.
What happens at your appointment
- Check in with your ID and the paperwork from your panel physician.
- A technologist takes you to the X-ray room. You may be asked to change into a gown from the waist up.
- You stand with your chest against the X-ray panel, take a deep breath and hold it for a moment while the image is taken.
- The technologist checks that the images are clear, and then you're free to go.
- Your panel physician sends your exam results to IRCC. To check how and when your X-ray results reach your panel physician, ask them or call 416-462-0064.
How long: About 10 minutes in the room
Cost
An immigration chest X-ray isn't covered by OHIP, even if you have an Ontario health card, because it's done for an application rather than for medical care. IRCC says you pay the fees for your medical exam yourself.
The immigration chest X-ray isn't listed with a set price on our cash fee schedule. Our uninsured services policy works out its fee from the provincial fee schedules, so please call 416-462-0064 for the price before you come. We discuss the fee with you before the X-ray, and payment is collected at the time of the service.
Check what IRCC is asking for first
Some applicants have an upfront medical exam before they apply. Others wait until IRCC sends instructions. Your application guide tells you which applies to you.
IRCC has also extended a temporary policy until October 5, 2029 that exempts certain people already in Canada from a new exam, if an exam in the last 5 years found low or no risk. Check IRCC's medical exams page, or ask your panel physician, before you book anything.
Where to have it done
- 123 Edward Street 123 Edward Street, Suite 600, Toronto Book
- Eglinton Avenue East 150 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 301, Toronto Book
- Etobicoke 3170 Lake Shore Blvd West, Suite 101, Etobicoke Book
- Keele & Ingram 2221 Keele Street, Suite 106, North York Book
- Lawrence & Dufferin 960 Lawrence Ave. West, Suite 203, North York Book
- Scarborough 1371 Neilson Road, Suite 309, Scarborough Book
- Woodbridge 4600 Highway 7 West, Unit LL30, Woodbridge Book
- Belleville 210 Dundas Street East, Suite 301, Belleville Book
- Port Hope 249 Ontario Street, Suite 110, Port Hope Book
These clinics offer X-ray. To check which clinic to visit for an immigration chest X-ray, and whether to walk in or book a time, call 416-462-0064.
Common questions
Can my family doctor order my immigration chest X-ray?
No. IRCC says your own doctor can't do the immigration medical exam. You need a panel physician approved by IRCC, and that physician tells you whether you need a chest X-ray and where to have it done.
Is an immigration chest X-ray covered by OHIP?
No. An immigration chest X-ray is done for an application, not for medical care, so OHIP doesn't cover it, even if you have an Ontario health card. You pay for it yourself.
What should I bring to my immigration chest X-ray?
Bring photo ID and the form or reference number your panel physician gave you. IRCC strongly recommends your passport as ID. Avoid clothing with metal zippers or snaps, and tell the technologist if you may be pregnant.
How long are immigration medical exam results valid?
IRCC says immigration medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you're not sure about timing, check your IRCC instructions or ask your panel physician.