If the sponsored spouse is pregnant, you can legally choose to delay the mandatory chest X-ray portion of the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) until after childbirth. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will pause your permanent residency application, which delays your final approval well beyond the standard 12-month processing time.
Sponsoring your spouse or partner to Canada is a momentous journey, and discovering you are expecting a child adds even more joy to the process. However, combining pregnancy with Canadian immigration procedures requires careful planning. Every principal applicant in a Family Class sponsorship must pass a mandatory Immigration Medical Exam (IME) to ensure they do not pose a danger to public health or safety.
A standard part of this exam is a chest X-ray to screen for tuberculosis. Many expecting mothers are rightfully concerned about exposing their unborn child to radiation. 🖌️ While the Canadian government allows you to defer the X-ray, this decision has a direct and significant impact on your overall application timeline. We strongly suggest consulting with a knowledgeable Canadian immigration lawyer from our directory to help you manage these delays and keep your application on track.
Step-by-Step Process for Handling Medicals While Pregnant
Whether you are planning to raise your family in Toronto, Vancouver, or Halifax, the federal IRCC medical rules apply uniformly across Canada. Here is generally how you navigate the IME process when expecting a baby.
Step 1: Receive the IMM 1017 Medical Instructions
Once IRCC reaches the medical screening stage of your Spousal Sponsorship application, they will send a Medical Report form (IMM 1017E) to your secure online portal. You usually have 30 days to book an appointment with an authorized IRCC Panel Physician. You cannot use your regular family doctor for this exam.
Step 2: Inform the Panel Physician About the Pregnancy
When you book your appointment and arrive at the clinic, you must immediately inform the Panel Physician that you are pregnant. The doctor will complete the standard physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests, as these are completely safe for the baby. You will then be asked if you wish to proceed with the chest X-ray using a protective lead shield, or if you prefer to defer it.
Step 3: Decide to Defer the Chest X-Ray
If you choose to defer the X-ray, the Panel Physician will submit a partial medical report to IRCC through the eMedical system. They will add a specialized note explaining that the applicant is pregnant and that the chest X-ray has been postponed until after delivery. At this point, IRCC officially puts your permanent residency processing on hold.
Step 4: Notify IRCC via Webform
It is highly recommended that you take proactive steps and submit an IRCC Webform. Upload a letter of explanation and a note from your obstetrician confirming your estimated due date. This creates a clear paper trail showing that you are not simply ignoring the medical request, but rather following a medically approved deferral.
Step 5: Complete the X-Ray After Childbirth
Once your baby is born, you must return to the X-ray clinic to complete the final portion of the IME. The Panel Physician will then finalize your eMedical file and submit it to IRCC. Only then will IRCC resume processing your sponsorship application, evaluate the final medical results, and move towards a final decision.
How Much Does the Immigration Medical Exam Cost in Canada?
Medical exams are not covered by provincial health insurance (like OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia). You must pay out of pocket. Here are the estimated costs in CAD as of May 2026:
| Service / Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Panel Physician Base Fee | Generally $150 to $280 CAD depending on the clinic and province. |
| Blood and Urine Laboratory Tests | Typically $50 to $100 CAD. |
| Chest X-Ray Fee | Usually $40 to $80 CAD (Paid at the time the X-ray is taken). |
| Lawyer Fees (Application Management) | Typically $2,500 to $5,000 CAD for full spousal sponsorship representation. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
In Canada, standard spousal sponsorships take approximately 12 months to process. However, if you defer your medical exam, IRCC stops the clock. Your timeline will effectively become the standard processing time plus the remaining months of your pregnancy, plus an additional 1 to 2 months for IRCC to review the final X-ray and resume the paperwork. You could be looking at a total processing time of 16 to 20 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to get the X-ray with a lead shield instead of delaying?
Many medical professionals state that a chest X-ray with proper double-lead shielding poses a very low risk to the fetus. If you choose this route, you must sign a waiver with the Panel Physician. This allows IRCC to process your application without delay, but the choice is entirely up to you and your doctor.
Do I need to add my newborn baby to the sponsorship application?
It depends on where the baby is born. If the baby is born inside Canada, they are automatically a Canadian citizen and do not need to be sponsored. If the baby is born outside Canada to a permanent resident sponsor, you must update IRCC to add the child as a dependent and pay additional processing fees.
Will my partial medical exam expire while I am waiting?
Immigration medical exams are generally valid for exactly 12 months from the date of the first assessment. If you take the physical exam early in your pregnancy, and IRCC processing drags on after birth, they may ask you to undergo a brand new medical exam before issuing your PR visa.
Can I apply for a TRV (Visitor Visa) while my sponsorship is paused?
Yes. If you are outside Canada, you can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa to wait out your pregnancy with your sponsor inside Canada. IRCC generally processes TRVs for spouses in about 30 days under family reunification measures, even if the PR medical is deferred.
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