Approved Panel Physician
A doctor officially authorised by a country’s immigration authority to conduct visa medical exams. Results from non-panel doctors are not accepted.
A doctor officially authorised by a country’s immigration authority to conduct visa medical exams. Results from non-panel doctors are not accepted.
Also known as
Panel Physician, Designated Civil Surgeon (US), DME
Real-world example
You need a medical exam for your Canadian study permit. You visit the IRCC website, search by your home city, and book only from the approved list — any other doctor's report gets rejected, costing you weeks of delay.
Country-specific notes
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
IOM runs most UK visa medicals.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) operates approved clinics in 100+ countries for UK visa TB screening.
Children under 11 usually skip the chest X-ray but still need the visit.
🇦🇺 Australia
BUPA runs most Australia panel clinics.
BUPA Medical Visa Services operates approved clinics in 100+ cities worldwide, integrated with Home Affairs uploads.
Non-BUPA panel physicians exist in countries where BUPA is absent.
🇺🇸 United States
Panel physicians abroad, civil surgeons onshore.
Panel physicians conduct exams for immigrant visas abroad; designated civil surgeons handle green-card applicants inside the US.
Civil surgeon list is on USCIS.gov; panel physician list is on travel.state.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the approved panel list?
Each immigration authority publishes its own list — search "panel physicians" plus the destination country on the official government site.
Can I use one panel physician for multiple visa applications?
Exams are specific to an application — a Canadian exam won't satisfy an Australian visa, even if done by someone on both panels.
Save your panel physician invoice, exam receipt, and any follow-up paperwork in your Nomedic records vault.