Your First Immigration Medical: What to Expect

If you have been asked to undergo an immigration medical examination, the process can feel uncertain, particularly if you have never had one before. We have been performing immigration medicals at Knightsbridge Doctors for over 40 years, and this guide covers everything you need to know.

An immigration medical is a health examination required by certain countries as part of the visa application process. Its purpose is to assess whether you have any communicable diseases (particularly tuberculosis) or health conditions that might require significant medical treatment in your destination country. It is not designed to be difficult or stressful. It is a standard procedure that millions of people complete successfully every year.

At Knightsbridge Doctors, we are accredited to perform immigration medicals for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Belgium, and UK TB Clearance. We also complete medicals for other countries including China, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Caribbean nations.

The first step is booking your appointment. We recommend booking as early in the process as possible, as results can take 3 to 4 working days to process. Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time to complete paperwork.

What you need to bring varies by country, but the essentials are always the same: a valid passport (mandatory for all countries), any reference numbers for your visa application (HAP ID for Australia, IME/UMI number for Canada), and spectacles or contact lenses if you wear them. If you have any significant medical conditions, bring your most recent clinic letter or hospital correspondence.

The examination itself follows a standard format. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history, asking about current and past health conditions, medications, surgeries, and family history. This is followed by a physical examination. You will be asked to undress to your underwear and will be provided with a gown. If you would like a chaperone present during the examination, please do not hesitate to request one.

For most applicants aged 11 and above, a chest X-ray is required to screen for tuberculosis. This is where our in-house X-ray facility is particularly valuable: rather than needing a separate appointment at another location, everything is completed under one roof at our Basil Street practice. The X-ray takes just a few minutes.

Blood tests are required for certain visa types and countries. These may include HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, kidney function, and full blood count. Our team will tell you exactly which tests your visa requires. There is no need to fast before the blood tests.

For individual adults, we recommend allowing 1.5 to 2 hours from arrival for the complete appointment, including paperwork, examination, X-ray, and blood draw. Family or group bookings should allow additional time.

Results are typically processed within 3 to 4 working days and are submitted directly to immigration authorities via the eMedical system (for Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). For Belgium and UK TB Clearance, certificates are posted or emailed to you directly.

If you have questions about immigration medical requirements for your specific visa type, please email info@knightsbridge-doctors.com with your relevant paperwork and our team will provide a detailed quotation and guidance.