What to Bring to Your Immigration Medical X-Ray in Ajax
A practical packing list for your IRCC immigration chest X-ray in Ajax: the documents to bring, what to wear, what to leave at home and how to fix gaps.
· 8 min read
Here is a packing list. That is really all this post is, but it is a carefully thought-through one, because the most common reason an immigration chest X-ray visit gets complicated is not the X-ray itself. It is a missing page, an expired document, or a name that does not quite match. Those problems are almost always preventable with a little preparation the evening before.
If you are new to the whole process, start with our step-by-step IRCC immigration chest X-ray guide, which explains how the panel physician, the X-ray and the eMedical system fit together. If you want to understand what happens to your images afterwards, our post on how eMedical sends your results covers that. Here, we stay focused on the bag you carry through the door, whether you are coming from Ajax, Pickering, Whitby or further afield.
One important note before the list: your own instructions always come first. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and your panel physician may give you specific requirements for your case. If anything here differs from what they told you, follow their instructions, and if you are unsure, ask them or call the clinic to confirm.
The short version
If you only read one section, make it this one. Bring:
- valid identification, as specified in your instructions
- every page of the paperwork your panel physician gave you for the X-ray
- any reference numbers or forms you were told to bring
- your glasses, if you need them to read and sign forms
- a simple outfit without metal around the chest
Leave at home, or be ready to remove:
- necklaces, chains and other jewellery around the neck and chest
- clothing with zippers, snaps, sequins or underwire across the chest
- anything you would not want to keep track of in a changing area
The rest of this post explains each item, why it matters, and what to do if something is missing.
Identification: the item that matters most
Immigration medical exams place a lot of weight on identity. Everyone involved needs to be confident that the X-ray in the file belongs to the person named on the application. That is why identification is checked carefully, and why a problem with ID is the most likely thing to delay a visit.
Which ID to bring
Bring the identification your instructions or panel physician asked for. For many applicants, this is a passport, but requirements can vary depending on your situation, so check your paperwork rather than guessing. If you hold more than one form of government-issued photo identification, it does no harm to bring a second one as a backup.
Check it the night before
Take your ID out and look at it properly:
- Is it valid? Look at the expiry date.
- Is the photo recognizable? If your appearance has changed a lot, bring an additional photo ID if you have one.
- Does the name match your paperwork exactly? Pay attention to spelling, the order of names, middle names and hyphens.
If the names do not match
Small differences, such as a missing middle name or a different spelling, can cause confusion. If you notice a mismatch, contact your panel physician before your X-ray appointment and ask how to handle it. Sorting it out ahead of time is far easier than trying to resolve it at the front desk.
Paperwork from your panel physician
Your panel physician is the doctor authorized by IRCC to perform your immigration medical exam. They will have given you paperwork or instructions for the chest X-ray portion. Bring all of it.
A few habits help:
- Keep pages together and in order. A simple folder or envelope stops pages getting creased or separated.
- Do not write on official forms unless you have been told to.
- Bring the originals if originals were given to you, plus a copy for yourself if you like.
- Note any reference numbers somewhere separate, such as in your phone, in case a page goes missing.
If you have been told the clinic will receive information electronically, bring whatever you were given anyway. It costs nothing to have it with you.
Previous chest X-rays or medical history
If you have had tuberculosis, treatment for a lung condition, or an abnormal chest X-ray in the past, your panel physician is the right person to discuss this with. Ask them whether you should bring any previous reports or images. Do not assume the imaging clinic needs them unless you have been told so.
What to wear
Clothing matters more for a chest X-ray than people expect, because metal and some dense materials can show up on the image and hide parts of the lungs.
A good choice is:
- a plain cotton T-shirt or top with no prints containing metallic ink, sequins or embellishments
- a bra without underwire or metal clasps, or none if you are comfortable with that
- comfortable trousers or a skirt; clothing below the waist usually matters less for a chest X-ray
You may still be asked to change into a gown. That is routine and depends on what you are wearing. If you have a religious or cultural preference about clothing or head coverings, let the team know when you arrive so they can discuss options with you. Our post on what to wear for imaging has more general tips.
What to leave at home
Travelling light makes the visit simpler.
- Jewellery. Necklaces, chains and pendants around the neck and chest need to come off for the X-ray. If you can leave valuable pieces at home, do.
- Bulky bags. A small bag or folder for your documents is easier to manage than a large one.
- Hair accessories with metal, if you have long hair that may fall over the upper back or chest.
Body piercings in the chest area may also need to be removed if possible. If you have a piercing that cannot easily be taken out, mention it to the technologist.
Items people forget
These do not appear on most official lists, but they can make the visit smoother.
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Reading glasses | You may need to read or sign forms. |
| A pen | Handy for filling in any paperwork while you wait. |
| Your phone, charged | For directions, confirmation messages and reference numbers. |
| A note of your panel physician’s contact details | Useful if a question comes up about your paperwork. |
| A list of medications | Not usually needed for the X-ray itself, but good to have if asked. |
| A light sweater | Clinics can feel cool, especially if you change into a gown. |
If you are pregnant or might be
Tell your panel physician before the X-ray if you are pregnant or think you could be. They can explain how this affects the immigration medical exam in your case. Tell the X-ray technologist as well. Our post Pregnant and Need an X-Ray in Ajax? covers how to raise this and what to ask.
Family members and visitors
Many families attend immigration medical exams together, and sometimes several members of the same household need chest X-rays. Each person will typically need their own identification and their own paperwork, so check that every folder is complete before you leave home.
If you are planning to bring someone along for support, or to help with language, call the clinic to confirm what is possible on the day. If any of the applicants are children, ask your panel physician and call the clinic in advance to confirm the arrangements.
Parents and grandparents applying to visit
If a relative is applying for a super visa or another visa that involves an immigration medical exam, the same principle applies: IRCC requires an immigration medical exam by a panel physician, which can include a chest X-ray. Questions about other requirements of the application belong with IRCC or the panel physician.
If something is missing on the day
Despite the best planning, things happen. If you arrive and realize something is missing:
- Tell the front desk straight away. They can tell you whether the visit can go ahead.
- Contact your panel physician if the missing item is paperwork they provided.
- Do not try to substitute documents without checking. A different ID or an unofficial copy may not be accepted for an immigration exam.
It is always better to rebook than to have an X-ray that cannot be used for your file.
The night-before checklist
Lay everything out on the table and tick it off:
- Valid identification, name matches paperwork
- Backup photo ID, if you have one
- All panel physician paperwork, in a folder
- Reference numbers saved in your phone
- Simple top without metal, ready to wear
- Jewellery left at home or easy to remove
- Glasses and a pen
- Clinic address and phone number saved
- Separate folders for each family member who needs an X-ray
Your immigration chest X-ray in Ajax
Rossland Diagnostic Clinic provides immigration chest X-rays for IRCC medical exams, with secure eMedical upload. We are at Unit 102, 300 Rossland Road East in Ajax, with free parking and ground-floor access, open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 3:30pm. Call 905-426-3111 with any questions about your visit, or request an appointment. Pack your folder the night before, and the rest of the visit tends to take care of itself.