How to choose a Panel Physician

The advice below applies equally to medical exams for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All three countries belong to a shared network called eMedical and their required procedures are similar. Each country appoints a limited number of doctors around the world to their panels. Visa applicants must see a Panel Physician to complete their medical examination.

Here is a checklist for choosing a Panel Physician:

• Does the doctor’s website explicitly state that he/she is a Panel Physician for the country you are going to? Each country posts an up-to-date list online – see the links at the bottom of this page.
• How long has the clinic been in business and how many immigration medicals have they performed? The procedures are very particular, and experience can make a difference.
• Are you told the name and the background of the doctor you will be seeing? Some panel doctors use temporary “locums” (subcontracted doctors) who may be less experienced and have less at stake.
• If you are female, you may want to know if the doctor is a man or a woman, and if they provide a female chaperone.
• Does the doctor’s website explain the whole procedure clearly and answer all your questions?
• Are their fees clearly stated and include a detailed breakdown?
• Is the X-ray clinic and Laboratory in the same building, or do these services require separate appointments at different locations?
• Do they have online appointment booking? Is it easy to book 2 or more people together?
• How is their cybersecurity? Do they keep any sensitive information such as passport numbers and credit cards on their server?
• Don’t forget to consider the location, accessibility and parking.

List of Panel Physicians for Canada
List of Panel Physicians for Australia
List of Panel Physicians for New Zealand