{"id":2617,"date":"2026-11-14T01:18:24","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T01:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/medical-inadmissibility-canada\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T01:18:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T01:18:24","slug":"medical-inadmissibility-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/medical-inadmissibility-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical inadmissibility and excessive demand in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 13, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 13, 2026: IRPA s. 38, IRPR s. 1(1) and IRCC’s 2026 excessive demand cost threshold checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Three grounds:<\/strong> danger to public health, danger to public safety, or excessive demand on health or social services (IRPA s. 38(1)).<\/p>\n

2026 threshold:<\/strong> $144,390 over five years ($28,878 a year). Expected costs above that can mean refusal.<\/p>\n

Before any refusal:<\/strong> IRCC must send a procedural fairness letter and consider your answer, including a mitigation plan where it applies. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Our immigration lawyers<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
\n

Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

You can be refused a visa, a permit or permanent residence in Canada on medical grounds in three situations: your condition is a danger to public health, a danger to public safety, or it would likely cause excessive demand on health or social services (IRPA s. 38(1)). Excessive demand is by far the most common. For 2026, IRCC sets the threshold at $144,390 over five years, or $28,878 a year. Some applicants are exempt from excessive demand entirely, and everyone gets a chance to respond before a refusal.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, advises applicants and sponsors on medical inadmissibility, procedural fairness responses, appeals and Federal Court reviews; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

The three medical grounds<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Medical inadmissibility under IRPA s. 38(1)<\/caption>\n
Ground<\/th>\nWhat it means<\/th>\nWho it applies to<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Danger to public health<\/td>\nFor example, active tuberculosis or another communicable disease<\/td>\nEveryone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Danger to public safety<\/td>\nA condition that makes sudden or violent behaviour likely<\/td>\nEveryone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Excessive demand<\/td>\nExpected health or social services costs above the threshold, or adding to waiting lists in a way that affects Canadians<\/td>\nEveryone except the exempt groups below<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The excessive demand threshold for 2026<\/h2>\n

IRCC updates the threshold every year. For 2026 it is $144,390 over five years ($28,878 a year)<\/strong>. The officer looks at the expected cost over five consecutive years, or up to ten years where significant costs are likely after year five (IRPR s. 1(1)).<\/p>\n

Since 2018, special education, social and vocational rehabilitation and personal support services no longer count as social services in this test. That change helps many families of children with developmental conditions.<\/p>\n

Who is exempt from excessive demand<\/h2>\n

IRPA s. 38(2) exempts:<\/p>\n