Although inadmissibility is associated with criminal convictions, there are certain medical conditions that can make you inadmissible to Canada.  

Medical inadmissibility causes more than 1,000 immigration applicants to be denied entry into Canada every year. This is according to Statistics Canada data from 2019. Accordingly, specifically, because every Canadian PR applicant & some temporary status candidates have to undergo a medical examination, medical inadmissibility is a significant consideration for all Canadian immigration visa applicants. 

Among other primary concerns, there are no certain medical conditions that can make you inadmissible to Canada. In simple terms, medical inadmissibility is determined based on three general principles. Let us discuss them in detail. 

What Makes Someone Medically Inadmissible To Canada? 

After reviewing standard medical examinations, past medical records, & mental capacity assessments, the Canadian immigration department can deem an immigration applicant medically inadmissible to Canada if they may: 

  • Be a danger to public health

This determination depends on medical exam results & the applicant’s health history. 

  • Be a danger to public safety  

This determination depends on whether the authorities believe there’s concern regarding: 

  • An applicant’s potential for sudden mental/ physical incapacity 
  • The applicant’s risk of unpredictable/ violent behavior 

  • Put excessive demand on Canada’s health/ social services 

Well, this determination is made based on the belief that an individual’s health condition will negatively impact Canada’s health/ social services by extending service wait times or requiring excessive spending because ‘the service needed to treat & manage the health condition would cost more than the excessive demand cost threshold. 

The following three general groups of Canadian immigration applicants aren’t beholden to Canada’s medical inadmissibility rules for excessive demand: 

  • Refugees & their dependents 
  • Protected persons
  • Certain family sponsorship applicants 

Note: Canada’s excessive demand cost threshold for 2023 is $25,689 per year. 

Can Immigration Applicants Overcome Medical Inadmissibility? 

Well, in addition to certain medical conditions that can make you inadmissible to Canada, the designation ‘inadmissibility’ can be overcome by people with certain health conditions, like: 

  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Cancers
  • Autoimmune Diseases (ex. AIDS, Lupus)
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Down Syndrome
  • Hepatitis B & C
  • Liver Disease

Getting Help With Handling A Medically Inadmissible Designation 

Canadian immigration lawyers can make it quite easier to understand as well as navigate a medical inadmissibility designation. This is because trained & dedicated lawyers can assist applicants with tasks like: 

  • Preparing necessary documents 
  • Avoiding application mistakes & unnecessary details 
  • Communicating with the Government of Canada