₦airaland Forum

I get PM's about this often and thought to draft something about it. I think this could be quite helpful for many who won't find it easy to openly ask questions in this area.

About Medical Inadmissibility

What is Medical Inadmissibility?
When an applicant is medically inadmissible into Canada, CIC would have found reasonable grounds to deny such applicant entry because his/her medical situation seems likely to either constitute a danger to the health or safety of the Canadian public, or put “excessive demand” on the health or social services provided by the government. This is how it is defined in the Canadian Immigration Act. Like criminal inadmissibility, it puts a question mark on the willingness of the Canadian state to accept such applicant into the country.


What is “excessive demand”?
While health challenges which constitute a risk to public health are quite obvious, those which cause “excessive demand” are not as evident. But the definition is clear: the cost of managing such health situation must stay under a set value. For instance, for a medical situation to not cause excessive demand on public health services in 2017, the cost of administering treatment needed to be not more than $6,655 per year, or $33,375 over five years.


What are the possible medical situations?
There are a range of ailments that could lead to medical inadmissibility, as defined by CIC. Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis and untreated Syphilis are considered as health risk for Canadians. If you have these, chances are you will be denied on the grounds of medical inadmissiblity. Though these are real examples, ailments that lead to medical inadmissibility could be anything, really. All that matters is that the ailment either constitute a danger to public health or cause excessive demand on health infrastructure. This means that relatively mild diseases such as diabetes, sexual or social disorders, or HIV could as well lead to medical inadmissibility. Oftentimes, this follows from how the subtext from the Immigration Act is interpreted by the VO. Its latent abuse has lately led to a review of the conditions that determine medical inadmissibility.

Some of the diseases that have caused issues in the past (based on records I could dig up) include HIV, AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, active tuberculosis, autism, schizophrenia, down's syndrome. The extent to which any of this becomes a concern depends on how well the applicant has managed it so far. A PLWH with a very low viral load, for example, may not suffer refusal based on medical inadmissibility, compared to one with a high viral load. The VO will determine to what extent he feels such persons may put a strain on the public health services. The case of Schizophrenia is because the VO could view the person as constituting a danger to public safety, though this can't be true for every schizophrenic patient. Each case is apparently different. With the new law, however, children with autism or other cognitive disabilities may not be viewed as putting a strain on public infrastructure since IRCC will be taking a class of social services which include special education off the list.


What is the medical process like?
Every applicant is required to undergo a medical examination. The VO would naturally not assess your application until they see a medical examination; except of course they have a ready reason to reject your application outright (say, CRS score manipulation?).
Normally, the physician will not share the success/failure of your medical examination with you. They could provide you with a result, but nothing indicating a pass or fail. The physician will send your completed examination to the appropriate CIC regional medical office where a CIC medical officer will conduct a review and assessment of your files. The results are entered into your GCMS notes. At this stage, it is determined whether your medical situation makes you inadmissible to Canada.
If the VO suspects that you are medically inadmissible, the law mandates him (VO) to issue a Procedural Fairness letter to you, offering you the opportunity to respond to the allegation of medical inadmissibility.


Is the law fair?
Medical inadmissibility used to be a big deal. At the stage where a Procedural Fairness letter is issued to the applicant, most applicants can easily get overwhelmed and are unable to convincingly respond to the issued letter. While some do not realize the need to seek a lawyer’s help, others take the letter as the final indication of their failed application. Some who do respond find that they can’t change the VO’s mind, even if their medical condition is not that serious. I think this caused enough outcry to make Canadian Immigrations extensively modify the medical inadmissibility law recently.
Sometime in April, modifications were made to the law such that the chances of being turned down on the grounds of medical inadmissibility should reduced sufficiently, provided of course the applicant has been adequately taking care of his/her health to start with. The cost associated with excessive demand has been tripled, and some of the public health infrastructure inferred in the law is to no longer include special education, social or vocational rehabilitation services. This means a dyslexic child or one with speech delay, for example, may no longer qualify as putting strain on health services. In summary, the new immigration minister is attempting to make this section of the Immigration Act more humanitarian.


What do I do if I suspect that I may be medically inadmissible?
Firstly, you need to understand the disease you have may not qualify you as medically inadmissible. Most make this mistake. Personally, I have seen cases of applicants with HBP, mild cases of Hepatisis, or a bad eye who feared that they would be denied on this ground. Eventually, these applicants never had problems. So, it is important to not overthink medical inadmissibility.
However, if you do have strong reasons to believe you could be denied, you should understand that the new laws in place are friendlier towards people like you. In some cases, you will be granted your permanent residence but with conditions attached, such as medical surveillance in Canada. In other cases, you will be required to revisit the panel physician. Where you are not required to revisit the physician, there is a good chance the VO is probably favourably considering your application. You should also know that you will almost never wake up to an outright denial in your mailbox. Typically, you will get a Procedural Fairness letter that will provide you with the chance to defend your situation. You can ask the advice of knowledgeable persons or a skilled immigration lawyer on how to act in this case. Make sure to adequately respond to the issued letter and to advise the VO on how you will not cause excessive demand on public health services. In the worst case where you do get a denial, you still have a final card to play. You can appeal your case with the courts in Canada. More often than not, this is turned in your favour. This is squarely because the fine lines of “excessive demand” lend themselves to different interpretations.

As an additional measure, you can also request your GCMS notes after sufficient time so you can pre-inform yourself if a case of medical inadmissibility is in the offing. You should strongly consider doing this, if you suspect that you may be medically inadmissible. This could give you enough time to prepare yourself.


Can anyone be or has anyone been denied based on medical inadmissibility?
Unfortunately, yes! But with the new laws in place, I think it’s likely the rejection percentage will reduce significantly. This is your chance to give it a try.





Procedure of HIV-positive cases

Excessive demand on health services and on social services

Canada revises controversial medical inadmissibility rules for immigrants

@GlitteringStar, could you please put this on the first page? I think some will find this useful.

Elfmannisback:
The one semester thingy comes from WES or/and other bodies, so once IRCC sees it, they recalculate the CRS score and it is expectedly downward. People should work with what ECA summary has.
Cc kemzyebony

Yeah, the summary is what should be of major concern.

mcstan18:
NO. A one semester evaluation will not earn you 2 or more certificates when combined with another certificate that's 3 years or more. Only 1 year or more certificate would. I tweeted at them sometime ago, and got a response to that effect.

See someone else's tweet below

Not too sure about this. IRCC doesn't exactly make the decisions about educational credentials. WES does. I'd give this a shot with WES firstly and see what their summary would be.

ans123:
@Happytbaby. Pls my wife have 1year unilag diploma and 4-year Bsc. Would this pass for 2 or more degree/cert. Thanks

No it won't. Unilag diploma doesn't qualify.

Ethelia:
I wish oh! Cant go until tomorrow, was in the car driving to work when I checked my email out of boredom and BAM! Almost had heart attack

Wow! Congrats. Best wishes in Canada.

idolda:
Thanks man, which assessing body can I use cos Wes requires degree certificate and iqas hasn't replied my mail since last week

I believe you can use a statement of result with WES.

Osaze007:
I don’t have family yet
Truth is if they really depress you at work
You will leave

You made the right decision, man. You are braver than most apparently. Some can't just get it.

trueson90:
Good morning everyone

Silent reader here. Been reading from Page 0, finally caught up with the last page. Whew!!

So this thread truly has all the necessary (and unnecessary ) information or pointers required for a successful application. Kudos to y'all.

I've managed to get required IELTS score and WES evaluation, so good to dive into the pool with CRS 469

Please, I need some assistance with my job role/NOC

I work as an IT network & systems administrator. Need help matching my responsibilities to the right NOC. Closest I have seen so far is NOC 2281 - Computer network technicians

I think this is NOC. Don't have that much doubt about it as it compares well with most of your duties.

luffyhaki:
Lol...okay DM things

sharp guy

idolda:
Good evening great minds, please can one get ECA report for degrees not yet issued? Degree already completed 2 years ago and transcript ready from the department but due to crisis degree is yet to be confered .

If yes I do like to know the assessing body that can issue ECA report without degree certificate

(Note: Transcripts and Notification of results from the department are available)

If you've got a statement of result you may have a chance here. But you'd need to try. As long as you've completed all credit requirements for the degree, I don't see a problem.

Exceedingfaith:
Good morning all,pls does IQAS send soft copy online of assessment which can be used once completed or i have to wait for hard copy to be delivered.
Thank you and have a great day.

Yes, IQAS will provide you an electronic copy of your assessment. Says so on their website.

[quote author=Homguy post=68451641][/quote]Not sure if you got an answer to this already. You can use a statement of result as a replacement for certificate, if you don't have one.

Jbaby09:
HELLO HOUSE!!!!

SO IT'S TIME TO SHARE MY TESTIMONY FOR IELTS OO

AFTER WRITING 4 TIMES, I'VE FINALLY BEEN SET FREE.

Congrats! Best wishes.

efueh:
Please house,
I need your urgent response on this question;
I got a university diploma of 2yrs before gaining
direct entry admission with it. I learnt from here to only do ECA on your highest qualification, thus I started ECA on my BSc that is awaiting the final confirmation from my school after WES had received my transcript.
I intend to use two degrees (Diploma & Bsc) when applying for EE to gain more points.
Can I do this successfully without evaluating my diploma? As a friend said I must evaluate the diploma too. I am confused and lost!
I need our responses my fam.

No you can't. You need to evaluate both degrees to claim "Two or more certificates". The instruction to evaluate one's highest qualification only applies when you are able to get sufficient points without needing to evaluate another degree, like with a Masters or PhD, for example.

pepe1:
Salutations to everyone here and congratulations to all the LVO gang members both in arrears and in advance.

Still on WORK EXPERIENCE.

ISSUE: My duties in the first 3 years of employment were largely under NOC C, got promoted and duties in the following 6 years fell under NOC B.

MY THOUGHTS: In creating my EE profile, I planned to quote only the NOC B job duties and get maximum points, then enter the NOC C job in personal history post-ITA.

QUESTION: Please how do I write the reference letter to combine the two NOCs and not end up confusing the VO.

NOTE: HR is not willing to give a reference letter, so I have to get a boss or a colleague to endorse my job description.

Thank you all.

You shouldn't need to put your NOC C experience in personal history. You could put it in your employment history along with your NOC B experience. Show the times clearly when you fill in your profile & only make sure the letter clearly shows the duration (> 3 years, I supppose, for maximum points you intend to claim) you were engaged in your NOC B & NOC C jobs. You won't get points for your NOC C experience, but you'll get points for your NOC B. This way you don't have too worry about the letter. This is what I'd do if I were in your shoes.

MrsWoman:
Please does WES evaluate ACA? Please help.

Yes, they do. If you've got ATS, make sure to include it in the package.

mokarios:
First Attempt IELTS:

Listening 8.5
Reading 9.0
Speaking 8.0
Writing 7.0

Grateful for all the tidbits of information you guys have made available on here.

Nice results. Good job!

This concerns IELTS writing

In this little engagement I've taken upon myself to review IELTS writing samples, I observed a common trend which I think is seriously affecting guys' IELTS writing scores and which they are probably unaware of.

Let's say you have a topic which says, "Some people feel that science does more harm than good. Others are against this assertion. What is your own opinion?" After giving a brief introduction and taking their position (whether for or against), some students set out arguing the contrary position first, before arguing their opinion, i.e. they take an initial position "for the motion" that science does more harm than good, but then dabble into explanations why they think science does more good than harm. Only in later paragraphs do they express their opinion why they think science does harm, sometimes unconvincingly and oftentimes overshadowed by their earlier contrary explanations. This way, they tend to discuss both sides of the argument without really taking a firm position or outrightly expressing their opinion. This is very poor and has the chance to earn you incredibly low scores on your IELTS writing.

IELTS writing is simple, really. It's not only simple, it's straightforward. The examiner often asks one thing of you and she/he wants you to express an opinion and to express it well. In this example, there's no reason to discuss both the "for" and "against" positions. You needed to choose one position and to clearly express this position. Questions of this sort are called "agree/disagree questions" and are the most common types on the IELTS writing task 2. If you do express an opinion (in your introduction) that science does more harm than good, you better make sure your next paragraphs are clear about the reasons you have taken this particular position (the "for" position). Do not dabble into the "against" reasons. You have no reason to. Same applies if you have taken the "against" position; leave the "for" points alone. These are the easiest ways to attack this question.

Now, there are of course some inventive persons out there who are able to confidently demonstrate their prose skills in exam conditions. Well, such persons may express an opinion (in the introduction) that's neither totally for nor against. If you are one of such persons, you'd know how to present your points already. There's no reason thrashing out all that here. But for those who would state clearly (in the essay introduction) that they are either for or against, please don't dabble into the opposing points. You'd only lose marks.

Well, just a tip...

sexymj:
PPR Timeline

ECA JULY 2017
ITA 9TH AUGUST 2017
AOR 13th OCT
FTD- NOV 28
IP2- FEB 27TH
GHOST UPDATE: 30TH APRIL
14TH MAY
PPR: 30TH MAY.

Congrats! Glad to hear this good news

just15:
@cochtrane,I sent you a mail as you instructed but didn't get a feedback from you

Kindly post your e-mail or phone number so that the mails can get to you directly as I am also interested in the coaching on Writing

Thanks

I think you sent your email after we rounded up the whole thing. Sorry I couldn't get back early enough. I've been traveling and don't get ready access to emails once am up and about in the air like that.

Tomiccell:
Thank you so much @cochtrane for the writing webinar today. God bless!

Glad to have you.

For others, sorry it came on short notice. I didn't expect I'd have that free time, apparently.

Is anyone up for an IELTS webinar tomorrow? Got some time on our hands. We have been helping one person here with her writing and might as well just extend it to a group. If you interested, shoot me a PM. Gonna be just IELTS writing though.

Hello All,

I'm attempting to renew my US visa with the dropbox program. I did this once two years ago, but did it myself. Now, I wanna get someone to do it for me as I'm not available at the moment. Deal is, I can't remember if I had to sign anything at the DHL office the last time I renewed the visa and so needed to be there myself. You think someone can help submit all the docs at the DHL without issues? I'll just do everything online here and send the docs to someone else for submission at DHL office?

Raconteur14:
Cochtrane, nice to still see the good work you are doing. Have you left yet?

Nope, not left yet. Still sticking around...

Electroweb:
No smoke without fire. I advise you to look inwards. I renewed my visa through dropbox recently. Very smooth.
Also when you figure it out and then renew your visa, dont forget to share it here to educate others.

connectlilan:
You can get your US visa renewed between 5-10 days. Its an easy process.
https://travelvisa.ng/renew-us-visa-nigeria-dropbox-locations-nigeria/

I'm attempting to renew my US visa with the dropbox program. I did this once two years ago, but did it myself. Now, I wanna get someone to do it for me as I'm not available at the moment. Deal is, I can't remember if I had to sign anything at the DHL office the last time I renewed the visa and so needed to be there myself. You think someone can help submit all the docs at the DHL without issues?

Canadian Immigration Minister heads to Nigeria to tell asylum seekers there’s no “free ticket” into Canada

Matters seem to have reached head.

chigrad:
Thank you for your input.
Please did you actually send a Unilag 1 year diploma and Bachelors degree to WES for evaluation at the same time?
Was it on this occasion the only gave BSc 4 years?
Can I use another evalauting body like IQAS or ICES? Do you or anyone has idea on if they positively evalaute the Unilag 1 year diploma as thats the only document I will evaluate since I have my BSc already evaluated.

My understanding is that WES does not positively evaluate Unilag's diploma (for entry into Year 2). That has been confirmed severally on this thread. For IQAS or ICES, am not sure. Not seen any evidence here.

mimimum:
Thanks a lot @happytbaby and @cochtrane.

I was only asking cos I am travelling to Kaduna to stay with my kid sis who is due to deliver her baby sometime this month. I might be away for a little over 2 months, so I wanted to be sure that I don't need to rush back to Lagos to do the Biometric capture within that period if our PPR comes in after July 31st.

Thanks again.

No one can say. They may or may not call you. As a personal opinion, I lean more towards the latter. But who knows. Just keep an eye out.

InspectorM:
Guys, pretty new here. Has anyone got an info on the minimum number of points for Prince Edward Island PNP? And if possible, their draw dates.

I'm not sure PEI has a minimum number of points for candidates the way provinces like Ontario do. You'd need to submit a separate Expression of Interest in addition to your Express Entry profile before they consider you. And they have their own point grid system. I believe the cut-off point also changes each invitation. So, you may need to check their website. But these are their anticipated invitation schedule you can work with. These are previous invitations issued so far. Here you may find a bit more info regarding their system. This pdf has a lot of info that may help, including their point grid system. And there is a Nairaland thread where you can discuss PNPs and ask more questions.

mimimum:
Silent reader alert! Wehdon sirs.

I am 105 days past my AOR. VO: Almighty London.

In reference to the mandatory Biometric capture that kicks off on July 31st, will I be required to undergo a capture with my spouse if my application exceeds July 31st or will I be exempt since my application is underway?

Thanks.

My understanding is that it takes effect from July 31st and is not compulsory, i.e. will not be required of all applicants, only some. You may get your PPR before July 31st anyways, in which case you wouldn't need to give it. Or, things could go past July 31st (hopefully not!), yet they may not call you to do it. They'll inform each applicant on a case by case basis if they need your biometrics, I believe. I wouldn't be too worried, if I were you. Just make sure to follow your application from time to time.

Osaze007:
Arabs don’t really work you know

Mehn, that's quite a broad statement to make. Not the best way to define a people, IMO

Baybie:
Hello all, please I have a question, is NYSC certificate really important in PR application? Thanks

No it's not. At no point do you present your NYSC certificate. However, you can get to use your 1-year NYSC experience to gain more points towards work experience if you want.