Immigrating to Canada is one of the best decisions you could ever make in your life, given that the country provides a lot of great opportunities. From career options to a robust economy up to the country’s security, you can enjoy the benefits of living in the country and staying there for good.
While immigration proves to be a good decision, submitting an application isn’t a walk in the park. Chances are, you need to go over the application requirements, fill out a lot of paperwork, and practice for your scheduled interview. The problem is when you’ve complied with all the requirements and submitted your application, only to end up getting rejected.
There are a handful of reasons your application won’t be approved, such as incomplete documents, inconsistent answers during the interview, and even criminal records. But in this article, we’ll delve into the two primary health reasons you are held inadmissible to the country, so keep on reading to find out.
What to know about the Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
Before we go any further, please be advised that all applicants must undergo an Immigration Medical Examination (IME). IME includes a physical and mental examination, along with an assessment of your medical history as well as other diagnostic tests. This exam is typically conducted by physicians licensed by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The examination results will determine if your health condition makes you eligible for getting accepted in the county. As far as health is concerned, you will be inadmissible to the country on the following grounds:
1. Danger to public health or safety
You will be considered a danger to public health or safety on two conditions:
- Public health: If you have a contagious disease that can infect other people living in the country, you won’t be allowed in. For instance, if you have the current novel coronavirus, pulmonary tuberculosis, or even untreated syphilis, you will pose a threat to public health.
- Public safety: If you have a specific medical condition that can compromise other people’s safety in the country, you won’t be able to gain entry. For instance, if you suffer from a mental health disorder that can make you violent, you are considered a danger to public safety.
2. Excessive demand on health or social services
You can be considered to cause excessive demand on health or social services on two conditions:
- If your health condition will impact the average Canadian per capita health and social services over 5 consecutive years
- If your health condition will add to the existing waiting lists, thereby increasing the chance of mortality or illness of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Next course of action when rejected
If ever you won’t be approved for your application for permanent residency due to your health grounds mentioned above, here’s what you can do:
Launching an appeal
You are given the right to appeal within 60 days of the decision. For the ground on the danger to public health or safety, the immigration officers will reexamine your medical records and other submitted paperwork. For the ground on excessive demand on health or social services, you can challenge the excessive demand or resort to providing a mitigation plan showing how to reduce the impact.
Potential outcomes
The possible appeal outcomes may be the following:
- Maintaining the original decision
- Withdrawing the original decision and requesting for more information
- Withdrawing the original decision and providing you with a new reason for inadmissibility
- Deciding that you are no longer inadmissible due to health
Conclusion
At this point, you now know why you may be inadmissible to Canada due to health concerns. As discussed above, you won’t be allowed to enter if your condition is a danger to public health or safety, or might cause excessive demand on health or social services. However, if you’ve already been rejected on health grounds, don’t give up just yet. Consider the valuable information discussed above on how to appeal the decision.
Ultimately, it’s best to work with an immigration agency to assist you in the application process. Hire an immigration consultant in Toronto who can help you every step of the way.
If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.
