Changes to Medical Inadmissibility Criteria in Effect June 1st

Canada has made amendments to the medical inadmissibility regulations that should make it easier for many people, previously determined to be inadmissible, to enter the country.

The rules of medical inadmissibility largely center around the idea of “excessive demand” on the Canadian healthcare system; if the costs of treating an ailment, disease or condition exceeded the threshold for excessive demand, a person would be refused entry into Canada. The government has publicly declared these restrictions to be “out of step with a 21st century approach to persons with disabilities”.

These new changes, which go into effect on June 1st, promise to triple the previous threshold for excessive demand; in 2017 this figure was $6,655 and so should now be $19,965 per year. The IRCC is also amending the current definition of social services by removing references to special education, social and vocational rehabilitation services and personal support services. These changes will benefit applicants with visual and hearing impairments, among others.

Roughly 1,000 people every year are denied entry into Canada under the current medical inadmissibility criteria.

Stay healthy, Thomas Sproat R515846