Timing matters when it comes to your immigration medical exam AOR. When your exam is completed at the right point in the process, your application can move forward without interruption. When it's not, you may face expired results, repeat exams, or processing delays that push your plans back by months.
Your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) confirms that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has accepted your application as complete and begun processing it. From that point on, IRCC relies on fixed reference dates, including medical validity periods, to assess your file.
Because immigration medical exams are only valid for a limited time, their timing in relation to your AOR can directly affect how smoothly your application reaches final approval. This is especially true under the 2025 policy changes.
What Is an AOR in Canadian Immigration?
An Acknowledgment of Receipt confirms that IRCC has received your application and checked that it's complete. It is your official starting line.
According to IRCC's official guidance, this document provides your application number, a unique identifier for tracking your case online. If you've had prior dealings with the department, you may already have a Unique Client Identifier (UCI). First-time applicants won't have a UCI yet and should write "N/A" if asked for one on forms.
The date on your AOR matters because it determines several critical factors:
- When your processing officially begins
- Whether supporting documents remain valid
- Your dependent children's eligibility (more on this below)
According to IRCC, acknowledgment timing varies by program and submission method. It can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on what you applied for.
How Immigration Medical Exam Affects AOR
August 21, 2025 marked a major shift in Canadian immigration. Before this date, Express Entry applicants could submit their permanent residence applications first, then complete their medical exams later. That changed completely.
Now, Express Entry requires an upfront medical exam. If you're applying through Express Entry, you must complete your Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before submitting your permanent residence application. Most people book right after receiving their Invitation to Apply to stay within submission deadlines.
There's one exception: if you're already living in Canada and completed an IME within the past five years, you can include your previous IME number. The department will review whether those results can be reused or if you need a new exam.
For most other permanent residence applications, the process remains unchanged. You'll receive medical exam instructions after submitting a complete application, and you must complete the exam within 30 days of receiving those instructions.
When Can a Previous Immigration Medical Exam Be Reused?
In limited situations, a previous immigration medical exam may be reused. If you are currently living in Canada and completed an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) within the past five years, you may include your prior IME number with your application. IRCC will review whether those results can be reused or whether a new exam is required. Reuse is not automatic and depends on whether your prior results showed no public health or safety concerns.
AOR After Medical Exam: What Timeline Should You Expect?
Once you submit your Express Entry application online (with your medical exam already done), acknowledgment typically arrives quickly, often within minutes to 24 hours. The system is designed for speed once all components are in place.
For other application types and paper submissions, expect longer wait times. IRCC notes that acknowledgment can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the program and current processing volumes.
After receiving your AOR, immigration officers begin comprehensive verification: checking eligibility, running background checks, reviewing security clearances, and processing biometric requests. Your medical exam results factor into this entire evaluation.
Most Express Entry cases reach a final decision within 6 months of the AOR. However, complexity matters. Missing documents, unclear work history, or additional security screening can significantly extend timelines.
IRCC Medical Exam and AOR Timeline: The Critical 12-Month Window
Here's what catches many applicants off guard: medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If your application isn't finalized within that period, you may be asked to complete another medical exam.
This creates a strategic challenge. Complete your medical exam too early, and it might expire before you receive permanent residence approval. Wait too long with Express Entry, and you won't meet your submission deadline. Finding the sweet spot requires careful calculation.
Your supporting documents must also remain valid. Language test results, educational credential assessments, and professional certifications all have expiry dates. If your medical exam expires during processing, you'll receive a re-medical request, adding both cost and time to your application.
For families, timing is especially crucial. According to IRCC's age lock-in rules, dependent children's eligibility is assessed using specific lock-in dates that vary by program. For most programs, the lock-in date is when the department receives your complete permanent residence application, not necessarily the day you receive your AOR. A child who is under 22 on the lock-in date stays eligible even if they turn 22 during the months-long processing period.
Medical Exam Requirements for Family Members
Each family member included in your permanent residence application must complete their own immigration medical exam. This applies to spouses, common-law partners, and all dependent children, even if they are not planning to immigrate to Canada at the same time. Each person receives a separate medical identifier, and missing exams for any family member can delay or block final approval of the application.
Understanding the Canada Immigration Medical Exam Process
Only designated panel physicians can perform immigration medical exams. Your regular family doctor, even if they've treated you for years, cannot do this exam. You must choose from the government's approved list.
The exam itself covers several components: a detailed health history questionnaire, a physical examination, and age-dependent testing, which may include chest X-rays and blood work. Panel physicians look specifically for conditions that could impact public health or place excessive demand on Canada's healthcare system.
What Happens During Your Appointment
Administrative staff will verify your identity and review your documentation upon arrival. Most clinics now offer convenient online booking, though phone appointments remain available if you prefer speaking with someone directly about scheduling.
Panel physicians examine several specific areas during the physical exam:
- Vision and hearing tests
- Cardiovascular examination
- Respiratory function (especially for applicants over 15)
- Mental health screening
- Review of medical history for chronic conditions
IRCC recommends bringing valid photo identification (passport preferred), any corrective lenses you use, your current medication list, and records of any existing health conditions. Vaccination records are optional but recommended, including COVID-19 vaccination records. While vaccination is voluntary and not required, panel physicians may offer vaccines if available.
Plan for 30 minutes to two hours at the facility, depending on whether additional tests are needed. Many modern immigration medical centers offer on-site X-ray and laboratory services, eliminating the need for multiple trips. Most panel physicians submit results electronically through the eMedical system.
You're responsible for all exam fees, including additional tests and specialist referrals. Fees vary by clinic and location. Contact your chosen center beforehand to confirm specific pricing and accepted payment methods.
After Your Medical Exam: What Immigration Officers Look For
After your immigration medical exam, IRCC medical officers review your results for two things only: risks to public health or safety, and whether a condition could place excessive demand on Canada's health or social services.
IRCC uses an updated, time-varying excessive-demand cost threshold to guide these decisions. Because the threshold can change, applicants should always refer to current IRCC guidance or speak with a licensed immigration professional to understand how their situation may be assessed.
Having a medical condition does not automatically lead to refusal. Many chronic or well-managed conditions are accepted. If concerns arise, IRCC may issue a procedural fairness letter, usually giving you a set period, often around 90 days, to provide additional medical or financial information.
You can use this time to submit specialist reports, confirm ongoing treatment, or explain how costs will be managed. Monitor your online account regularly, and if IRCC requests a re-medical due to expired results, complete it as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
5 Tips to Avoid Medical Exam Delays
- Schedule strategically. For Express Entry, complete your exam after receiving your ITA, but early enough that results reach the government before your 60-day submission deadline. Most clinics can accommodate rush appointments if needed.
- Disclose everything. Incomplete medical histories delay processing and can affect admissibility decisions. Panel physicians need complete information about previous treatments, current medications, and ongoing care to provide accurate assessments.
- Keep all paperwork. Save your exam confirmation and write down your unique medical identifier number immediately. You'll need this for your application. Also, keep copies of vaccination records and any specialist reports the panel physician provides.
- Monitor your application daily. Check both your email and your online account every day after receiving your AOR. The government can request additional medical clarification or documents at any point. Missing these requests, even by a few days, can cause significant delays.
- Renew expiring documents early. Don't let passports, language tests, or credential assessments approach their expiry dates. Renew at least 2-3 months before expiration to account for processing time.
Get Your Immigration Medical Exam Done Right the First Time
GTA Immigration Medical Clinic Markham specializes in immigration medical exams. This is what we do every day. Our doctors know the rules and what IRCC needs.
We make the process easy. X-rays, blood work, and urine tests are done in one place. No extra trips. No running around. Your results are sent to the government electronically. Our staff speaks Cantonese and Mandarin. We explain each step clearly so nothing is confusing. We also offer free parking and easy access from major highways.
Don’t let timing issues slow down your application. Call GTA Immigration Medical Clinic Markham today to book your appointment.
