Tuberculosis (TB) Medical Surveillance
Tuberculosis medical surveillance (TBMS) is a medical check-up for a person who has newly arrived or has applied for a change in immigration status in Canada, to check that they still do not have active TB disease. This is a requirement of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
When you applied to come to Canada to live, work, study or visit for six months or more, you were required to have an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) by an IRCC doctor. Your IME showed that you have inactive TB or had TB disease in the past. This means you have a higher risk of getting sick with TB in the future. Therefore, a second TB check-up is required to protect you, your family, and the general public.
What You Need to Do
Bring the following TB medical assessment form to a doctor or nurse practitioner of your choice. The doctor/nurse practitioner will complete the form, order a chest x-ray and other tests if necessary. Ask your doctor/nurse practitioner to fax your completed form and test results to SMDHU by fax at 705-733-7738.
If you do not have a health care provider, one option is that you can be assessed by contacting the Huronia Urgent Care Clinic, 480 Huronia Road, Barrie, ON at 705-792-0933 and asking for an appointment with Dr. Colin Lee for TB Medical Surveillance. They will be able to provide the days and times available.
Note that if you do not have Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), there will be a cost for the Doctor’s appointment. Often, the doctor will need to order a chest x-ray. There would be a separate charge for the x-ray as well for those without OHIP.
TB Medical Surveillance Form
Once all of your medical reports have been received by SMDHU, a TB nurse will review them. If no further follow-up is needed, the nurse will notify IRCC that you have complied with the requirements of TBMS.
Active TB Disease
If you are diagnosed with active TB disease, a TB nurse from SMDHU will work with you and your doctor while you are being treated. Being diagnosed does not affect your immigration status in Canada or your family’s status. TB treatment is free of charge in Ontario even if you do not have health insurance.
Important Things to Know
It is important to tell us if you change your address, phone number or leave the country while you are on TB medical surveillance.
You may also need to repeat TB medical surveillance if you renew your visa or change your immigration status.
If you develop sign and symptoms of active TB before you have your TB medical surveillance check-up, speak to your doctor/nurse practitioner right away or call a TB nurse at SMDHU. We can help you get medical care. Symptoms of active TB may include:
- Cough for three weeks or more
- Fever
- Coughing up blood
- Sweating at night
- Constant tiredness
- Loss of weight and/or appetite
IRCC determines if you need TB medical surveillance, and it is a “condition of landing”. This condition will be removed from your immigration file once you have met the requirements.
If you do not complete TB medical surveillance, it may impact your current and/or future immigration applications.
If you leave the country before completing TB medical surveillance you may be questioned at the border/airport the next time you return to Canada.
If you have any questions or to report new symptoms of TB, please contact the Infectious Diseases Program at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 ext. 8809 to speak to a TB nurse.
