How to Avoid Medical Inadmissibility for Parents and Grandparents in Canadian Immigration

When sponsoring your parents or grandparents to Canada through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) or inviting them on a super visa, one of the biggest challenges can be medical inadmissibility.

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finds that a parent or grandparent’s health condition could cause a burden on Canada’s public health or social services, their application can be refused. This applies to both permanent residence and super visa applications.

By understanding how medical inadmissibility works and preparing in advance, you can improve the chances of a successful application.

How IRCC Decides Medical Inadmissibility

Your parent or grandparent may be considered medically inadmissible for three main reasons:

1. Being a danger to public health
2. Being a danger to public safety
3. Causing excessive demand on health or social services
   
   

Most PGP and super visa applicants face concerns related to the third reason—excessive demand.

For 2025, IRCC’s cost threshold for excessive demand is $27,162 per year or $135,810 over five years. If IRCC believes the cost of medical or social services for your relative will exceed this limit, the application could be refused.

IRCC reviews:

• The immigration medical exam results
• Specialist medical reports (if needed)
• The applicant’s medical history
  
  

It’s important to show that any ongoing conditions—such as diabetes or high blood pressure—are under control and being actively managed.

Conditions That May Lead to Medical Inadmissibility

Some health conditions that could cause concerns include:

• Autoimmune diseases (AIDS, Lupus)
• Autism
• Blood disorders (clotting or bleeding issues)
• Brain disorders
• Cancer
• Cardiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic kidney disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Down syndrome
• Hepatitis B or C
• Learning disabilities requiring special education
• Liver disease
• Psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
• Rare diseases
• Total knee replacement
• Tuberculosis

This is not a complete list—each case is assessed individually.

Reducing the Risk of a Medical Inadmissibility Finding

Having a medical condition doesn’t automatically mean refusal. IRCC considers each case based on the full medical history and exam results.

You can improve your chances by:

• Providing complete medical records
• Showing proof of treatment and stability
• Demonstrating that ongoing care costs will not exceed the cost threshold
  
  

How to Overcome a Medical Inadmissibility Decision

If IRCC believes your parent or grandparent may be inadmissible, they will issue a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) before making a final decision. You will have 90 days to respond or request an extension.

Options include:

1. Responding to a Procedural Fairness Letter

Provide documents showing:

• Medical treatments received
• Medication changes or adjustments
• Proof of reduced or manageable costs
  
  

2. Submitting a Mitigation Plan

This plan explains how your relative will manage their medical needs without relying on public services.
It should include:

• How services will be obtained
• How they will be funded
• Proof of financial capacity to cover these costs

A Declaration of Ability and Willingness form must also be signed.

3. Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

If permanent residence or a super visa is refused, a TRP may allow short-term entry for compelling reasons. TRPs can be valid from one day to three years, with single or multiple entries, at the officer’s discretion.

About the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence.

Because of high demand, IRCC uses a lottery system to invite sponsors. In 2025, IRCC will accept 10,000 complete applications and issue 17,860 invitations to those who submitted interest to sponsor forms in 2020. Invitations will be sent between July 28 and mid-August 2025, and complete applications are due by October 9, 2025.

About the Super Visa

If you are not selected for the PGP, the super visa is a great alternative. It allows parents and grandparents to visit for up to five years per stay, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.

To be eligible, the host must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
• Be 18 or older and living in Canada
• Meet the required income level
  
  

The applicant must:

• Apply from outside Canada
• Purchase medical insurance meeting IRCC requirements
• Be admissible to Canada

Final Tip: Whether applying through the PGP or for a super visa, prepare in advance. Gather medical records, secure private insurance if needed, and address any potential issues early. A proactive approach can significantly improve the chances of approval.