Changes to Medical Inadmissibility “Excessive Demand” Provisions

On April 16, 2018, IRCC announced that they are making big changes to the rule for medical inadmissibility due to “excessive demand”. IRCC may consider a foreign national inadmissible to Canada under this rule if the person or one of their dependent family members has a medical condition or disability that might require medical treatments or social services that cost more than the maximum yearly cost allowed by the government. The new policy triples the maximum cost allowed ($19,965 based on the 2017 maximum) and removes some social services (including special education, personal support services, and social and vocational rehabilitation services) from the cost calculations. As a result of the new policies, individuals with certain disabilities and some illnesses will no longer be considered inadmissible to Canada.