How to remove medical restrictions from a work permit
When do I need the medical exam?
You need a medical exam in the following situations: Jobs that put you in close contact with people, such as:
- workers in health-care settings
- clinical laboratory workers
- patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
- medical students admitted to Canada to attend university
- medical electives and physicians on short-term locums
- workers in primary or secondary school settings, or workers in child-care settings
- domestics
- workers who give in-home care to children (nanny or au pair), the elderly and the disabled
- day nursery employees and
- other similar jobs
> Here < you can find more questions answered for the medical exam
I did not do a medical exam as part of the application; I would like to do one now
This is possible and there are two situations depending at what stage you are in the application.
1. If you only have the POE (approval letter) and haven't activated the work permit yet
You can do the medical exam after receiving the POE letter but must do so at least 4-6 weeks before activating the work permit otherwise you will receive a restriction on the work permit.
So, if the work permit is not yet activated, it is quite simple:
- Book an upfront medical exam with a panel physician. The list of all worldwide licensed doctors >here<
- The costs for the medical exam vary depending on the panel physician between $400-$600.
- The panel physician will send your results directly to IRCC.
- Keep in mind that it can take 30 days or more for the results to appear in the IRCC system.
- This is why it is highly recommended to do the medical at least 4-6 weeks before activating the work permit, so that the government has enough time to receive the results from the doctor and they appear in the system of the border agency.
- After your exam, the physician will provide you with an information sheet or an IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report.
- Bring this document with you and present it to the immigration officer when you activate your work permit.
- The officer will then issue the correct work permit without restriction.
- Please check before leaving the immigration office if the restriction is removed. This would normally be at the bottom of the work permit.
- You can then immediately start working in the job.
⚠️ Important: If you activate your work permit before the medical results are in the IRCC system, a restriction will be added. You would then have to apply on paper to remove the restriction, which involves additional costs and processing time.
What if I receive a work permit with restrictions at the border, even if I did a medical exam?
If you notice medical restrictions printed at the bottom of your work permit, there are usually two possible reasons:
- Officer error – The border officer forgot to remove the restrictions in the system before printing the work permit.
- Timing issue – Your medical exam results were not yet available in the IRCC system when the permit was issued.
If you completed your medical exam at least 8 weeks before travelling to Canada, the results should normally already be in the system. In this case, politely ask the immigration officer to double-check and correct the work permit on the spot. They will usually acknowledge and fix the mistake.
If the officer does not make the correction, you will need to apply to remove the medical restrictions. See the steps outlined below.
2. If you are already in Canada with an activated work permit
If you are already in Canada and the work permit was activated with the restrictions, the process becomes more difficult and time-consuming. Please follow the steps outlined below.
How to change the activated work permit
An online application is not possible. It must be done on paper.
More information here under “I need to remove medical restrictions”
- Book an upfront medical exam with a panel physician. The list of all worldwide licensed doctors >here<
- The costs for the medical exam vary depending on the panel physician between $400-$600.
- The panel physician will send the results to IRCC.
- After completing the upfront medical exam, you must submit a paper application by mail to change your work permit.
- On the IMM 5710 form, for 1 a), under “Details of intended work in Canada,” select “Other.”
- Also on the IMM 5710 form, for 1 b), under “Other,” write that you need the medical restrictions removed.
- In addition, write a short note/letter mentioning that you are participating in the Working Holiday Program and are asking for the restriction “not authorized to work in child care, primary/secondary school teachings, health service field occupations” to be removed from the work permit.
- Pay the $100 “open work permit” fee <here> and print proof of payment.
- Send the documents (application + explanation letter + proof of payment) to the following address:
!Do not send the original work permit!
Case Processing Centre Edmonton
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada
c/o Work Permit- IEC Station 404
Suite 55 9700 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 4C3
- Send your application, with tracking number to make sure you get proof that your application is delivered to the IRCC office.
- Processing of the new work permit can take several weeks.
I applied to remove restrictions from an activated work permit; when can I work in this job?
Changing the conditions on an already activated work permit can take several weeks. During this time, you are not allowed to work in the restricted job until your application for a new permit is approved. This is why it is crucial to decide in advance if you plan to work in those job categories before travelling to Canada.
Once your work permit change is approved, you will receive a PDF approval letter in your IRCC account. This letter will mention “Permit WP-EXT” along with the new validity date. You may begin working in the job immediately upon receiving this letter.
The official printed work permit will follow by mail and be sent to the address you provided in your application.
