Part 5 - Canada Super Visa Medical Exam: Costs and Payment

 

Let me tell you something that shocked me when I first researched this for my mum's application. I assumed there was a standard price, same fee everywhere in Nigeria. Same for everybody.

Fee Structure

Here's what I discovered after calling three different clinics. Panel physicians set their own fees. The clinic in Lagos might charge something completely different from the one in Abuja. And Port Harcourt? Could be another number entirely.

Why the difference? Two reasons.

First, location. Clinics in bigger cities often charge more, higher rent, more staff, you know how it goes.

Second, complexity. Not every medical exam is the same. If you're applying for a visa that needs extra tests, maybe additional blood work or a more detailed chest X-ray, you'll pay more. A straightforward Super Visa medical costs less than something with special requirements.

So, don't just assume the price you heard from your friend is what you'll pay. Call around. Ask each clinic: "What's your complete fee? What does it include?" Write it down. Compare.

Cost Varies

Here's good news if you're applying for a parent AND bringing a younger sibling or child along. Kids pay less. Sometimes significantly less. Why? Because children need fewer invasive tests. No chest X-ray for a 12-year-old. No blood draw for a toddler. Less work for the clinic means lower price for you.

I saw this firsthand helping a family member. Adult price was ₦85,000. For their 14 years old daughter? ₦55,000. Same clinic. Same day. Different price. So, when you call to book, ask for both prices separately. Adult fee. Child fee. Know what you're walking into before you get there.

Payment

Here's where it gets real. You pay the clinic directly. Not through an agent. Not through a third party. You go there, you do the exam, you pay them.

Payment is in Nigerian Naira, no need to stress about dollars or exchange rates. Most clinics accept bank transfer or card. Some might take cash. Ask before you go so, you're not scrambling at the counter.

Now for the part nobody likes to talk about.

The fee is non-refundable.

Read that again. Even if the embassy turns around the next week and says "visa refused", that money is gone. You don't get it back. No partial refund. No credit for next time. Nothing.

I know someone this happened to. Paid almost ₦90,000. Did the full exam, blood work, X-ray, everything. Two weeks later, refusal letter. She called the clinic hoping they'd have some mercy. They said, "Sorry, we did the work. The results were sent. Nothing to refund."

Harsh? Yes. But that's the policy.

So, before you book that appointment, be sure. Double check your visa requirements. Make sure you actually need the medical exam for your specific application. Because once that money leaves your account, no refund.

Don't confuse the Canada Super Visa medical exam with mandatory insurance. One checks your health; the other protects your wallet. Here's what's required and why timing matters.

Medical Insurance vs. Medical Exam

I'll be honest with you, when I first helped my aunt apply for her Super Visa, I made this exact mistake. I thought the medical exam was the insurance. Or maybe the insurance was part of the exam. Honestly, I was confused.

Let me clear this up for you so you don't waste time like I did. Do not confuse the two

The medical exam is exactly what it sounds like, a doctor checks your health. They listen to your lungs, take your blood, do a chest X-ray. One appointment. Maybe two hours of your time. The doctor sends results to IRCC, and that's it.

The Super Visa Insurance is completely different.

It's not a check-up. It's a financial policy you buy from an insurance company. Think of it as protection. If your parent visiting Canada falls down the stairs or gets pneumonia, this insurance covers the hospital bills.

Without it? You're paying out of pocket. And let me tell you, Canadian healthcare isn’t cheap. A single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. Don't walk into your medical exam appointment thinking you've "done insurance." Two separate things. Two different purposes. Both mandatory.

Insurance Requirement

Here's what the Canadian government actually requires. You must prove you have private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company (or an OSFI approved international provider).

The coverage must be at least $100,000 CAD.

And it must be valid for one full year from the date your parent enters Canada.

One more thing, and this is important. A quote is not enough. You need proof that the premium is paid in full before you submit your application . IRCC will not accept a screenshot of a quote page. I've seen applications returned because of this small mistake.

I helped my friend's mum apply last year. She almost bought a cheap international plan thinking it would work. Would have been a waste of money and time. The immigration officer checks specifically for Canadian providers that meet these requirements.

You can compare policies from approved providers through ParentSuperVisa, they specialize in Super Visa coverage for Nigerian families and can help you find a policy that meets IRCC standards. Some families also use SafetyWing Insurance to compare rates across multiple Canadian insurers before purchasing www.safetywing.com.

Timing

Here's a strategy that can save you weeks of waiting. You can do the medical exam before submitting your visa application. Actually, I strongly recommend it.

Why? Because medical results take time to process, sometimes a week, sometimes longer depending on the clinic. The panel physician submits your results electronically to IRCC, but the review and assessment phase can take 2 to 8 weeks. If you wait until after you apply, that's extra waiting time on top of an already long processing timeline.

My cousin did the opposite. Submitted first, waited two months, then got a letter saying "send medical results." Another three weeks of waiting for those to be processed. Total time? Almost three months.

A friend of mine did her medical first. She booked through an approved panel physician, got her upfront medical report, and submitted everything together, application plus medical proof. Her parent's visa came in six weeks.

The choice is yours. But if you want faster processing, get that exam done early.

And while you're at it, start shopping for insurance early too. But remember, don't purchase the policy until you're sure of your travel dates. Insurance starts from the date of purchase, not from your entry date. Buy it too early and you waste coverage. Buy it too late and you delay your application.

Your Canada Super Visa medical exam is complete. Here's what happens next, how you get your results, how long they last, and what to submit with your application.

After the Exam: Next Steps for the Visa

You've done the blood work. You've done the chest X-ray. You've paid the clinic and probably wondered if there was a cheaper option anywhere in Lagos. Now you're standing outside the clinic, information sheet in hand, thinking… what happens next?

Receiving Results

Here's something that surprises most people. You don't actually get the medical "results", not the way you're thinking. You won't receive a paper that says "passed" or "failed." You won't get a detailed breakdown of your blood work or X-ray findings.

The panel physician sends everything directly to IRCC , that's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. That's their job. You don't need to chase them, remind them, or pay extra for this service.

So, what do you get?

You'll receive an Upfront Medical Report or an information sheet from the clinic. This is a simple document, maybe one page confirming that you completed the exam. It will have your name, the clinic's details, a date, and sometimes a barcode or reference number. Keep this paper safe.

I watched my neighbour almost lose hers. She stuffed it in her bag, crumpled, and then spent two hours searching for it when it was time to apply. Don't be that person. Take a photo. Make a photocopy. Upload it to your email. Do whatever you need to do.

Validity

Here's a timeline you need to write down somewhere you won't forget: 12 months. That's how long your medical exam results stay valid. Count one year from the exact day you sat in that doctor's office.

Why does this matter? Because if your visa processing takes longer than 12 months and sometimes it does, you might need to do the whole exam again. Another ₦85,000 or more. Another chest X-ray. Another blood draw. Another afternoon of waiting in a clinic lobby.

So, don't delay your application after the exam. Get those other documents together quickly. Submit within a few weeks if you can.

I know someone who did her exam in January but didn't submit until February the following year. Just over 12 months. Immigration asked her to repeat the whole exam. She was not happy, and honestly, neither was her wallet.

Application

Now here's the final step and the most important one. When you submit your Super Visa application, whether online or on paper, you must include that information sheet from the clinic. The one I told you to keep safe.

This is your proof that you did the medical exam. Without it, IRCC will not process your application. They'll either return it or send you a letter asking for the missing document, which adds weeks or months to your timeline.

You don't need to send anything else medical related. No X-ray films (please don't try to mail those). No blood test printouts. No doctor's notes. Just that one page confirming you showed up and did what they asked.

Scan it clearly. Not a blurry phone photo. Not a crooked image from your kitchen table. A clean, readable, professional looking scan. If you don't have a scanner, use a scanning app on your phone, many are free and work well.

If you're applying through the online portal, you'll upload it in the medical section. If you're using a representative or agent, hand it to them and say "this goes with my file, please don't lose it."

One last thing: keep a copy for yourself. Digital and physical. Save it to Google Drive. Print an extra. Keep it in a folder with your passport and other important documents. You never know when you might need to refer back to that reference number.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only. Medical exam validity periods and application requirements may change. Always verify current policies with IRCC's official website before submitting your application.