An applicant asked about traveling to Canada with a spouse under a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): their visa was approved and stamped, but their medical exam had expired, and a re-exam had been completed but wasn't yet reflected in their GCKey account.
What the group explained:- A valid medical exam is required at the time of travel. If your original medical has expired, your visa may not be considered valid for travel until the new medical result is properly recorded — medical exam results are only valid for 12 months from the exam date.
- Check your GCKey account status directly. If the online document in your GCKey account shows your file as valid for travel, that can indicate you're cleared to travel even if the update process is still catching up administratively.
Practical takeaway:- Don't assume an old medical clearance still applies after the 12-month validity window — book a re-exam in advance if your travel date is approaching that mark.
- Before traveling, check your GCKey portal for the most current status rather than relying solely on the original visa stamp date.
- If in doubt, it's worth confirming with IRCC or a representative before booking travel, since traveling on an invalid medical status can create complications at the border.