Canada Work Visa Medical & Biometrics Cost 2026
Do you have plans of migrating to Canada to work in 2026? Although finding a job opportunity is the most significant challenge, the fact that the majority of job seekers have to encounter the so-called hidden costs of your application, namely the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) and Bio metrics, will take many of them by surprise.
These are the costs that should be understood beforehand to make the move smooth and stress-free. In this guide, we shall dis-aggregate all the dollars you will use on medicals and bio metrics in 2026 including updates of the third-party estimates and IRCC fee.
The “Digital Identity” Fees (2026)
Bio measurements is an obligatory procedure of practically any work permit request or.1 It includes taking your fingerprints and a digital picture at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Fixed Biometrics Fees
Standard pricing on bio metrics is upheld in IRCC and is uniform to those throughout the world:
- Individual Bio metrics Fee: $85 CAD.2 This is the common fee of most individual applicants given age between 14 and 79 years.
- Family Maximum Fee: $170 CAD.3 In case you are submitting an application with your family members (spouse and children) to obtain a temporary residence at the same time, your bio metrics fee is limited at that point.
Key Bio metrics Terms for 2026
- Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL): IRCC will issue you with this formal document upon payment of your application and bio metrics fee. You should reserve your appointment awaiting the receipt of this letter.
- Validity (10-Year Rule): In case you provided bio metrics to a prior visitor visa or study permit less than 10 years ago these may be still valid.5 You can use the IRCC Bio metrics Status Tool to check whether you can not pay the fee of $85.
IMG Cost Breakdown Immigration Medical Exam (IME).
You do not have to spend the same amount of money as the government sets on the cost of your medical exam as with bio metrics. Rather, it is established by Panel Physicians, the doctors who are certified by IRCC to conduct these exams.6
- Pro- Tip: This exam cannot be done with your normal family doctor. You need to see a qualified physician whose name was found through the Find a Panel Physician Tool.
Medical Inadmissibility & The 2026 Threshold.
Canada evaluates the likelihood of an applicant exerting excessive burden on the healthcare system in the country because of his or her health condition.7
2026 Excessive Demand Threshold: $28,878 CAD/per annul (or 144,390 in five years).8
In case a medical condition is estimated to cost the public health services higher than this limit, the application may be denied unless the applicant is an exemption category (such as refugees).9+1
Who Needs a Medical Exam in 2026?
A work permit does not require a medical to everyone but you should pass one in case:
- Occupation: It is a high-contact occupation, e.g. healthcare (doctors, nurses), childcare (teachers, day-care workers), or geriatric care.10
- Location: You have resided in a designated country (as mentioned by IRCC) 6 months or more in the last year.
- Agriculture: Have you been a worker in an agricultural field in a specified country?11
Upfront Medical Exams
There are some streams in 2026 that will involve an Upfront Medical Exam (such as Express Entry or high-risk work permits with a medical).12 This involves you doing the medical first and then submitting your application. The physician will issue you with a Medicaid system tracking sheet to attach it with your files.
FAQs
Does the medical clinic have any “secret service charges?
Yes. Other than the basic exam fee, clinics can impose a Furtherance Fee (typically 50-150 dollars) on top of the basic exam fee, should IRCC demand further tests, specialist assessment or follow-up blood tests, depending upon your baseline results.
Should I starve prior to my blood or urine tests?
No. This is as opposed to many of the standard physicals where the Canadian immigration medical test (HIV, Syphilis and Creation) does not involve fasting. The urine sample to provide should be easy and hence you need to stay hydrated.
Final thought
The cost of obtaining a Canadian work permit goes beyond the application fee. As we have seen, medical and bio metrics expense on the year 2026 comprises a huge proportion of your start up capital. In as much as the bio metrics cost of $85 is a stable government expense, medical cost varies depending on the region, and charges on clinics.
The overriding lesson of 2026 is the $28,878 per annul threshold of the Excessive Demand. Under this new quota, Canada has slightly opened the doors of immigration to applicants who may have manageable chronic conditions as it is a contemporary way of admitting immigrants. With the help of the right and certified Panel Physician, at least having your original passport, and in advance confirming your bio metrics validity, you will save yourself unnecessary time and additional expenses.
Disclaimer:
It is an informative educational article. It is recommended that the readers should find out the information in reputable sources, like the official IRCC site, and then make decisions.