How to check your eTA status
For a Canadian eTA, the official eTA service on Canada.ca lets you check updates on a pending application and the status of an existing eTA. You must enter the application details the status screen asks for exactly as they appear, and rather than relying on email alone, it is safer to use the official status check as well.
Checking an eTA application in progress
If your eTA is not decided immediately after you apply, the Government of Canada may email you about further steps or request documents. Because an email address can be mistyped or the message can be filtered as spam, check the inbox you used when applying and use the official status check.
Checking an existing eTA and its expiry
It is a good idea to confirm before you travel whether your existing eTA is still valid and when it expires. An eTA is linked to the passport used in the application, so always check at the same time whether you have been issued a new passport.
How to check Visitor Visa progress
For a Visitor Visa, the way you check depends on how you applied.
Checking in your IRCC account
If you applied using an IRCC secure account, you can see updates and messages through “Check status and messages” in your submitted application or profile.
Application Status Tracker and status tools
Some applications can use the Application Status Tracker or the Client Application Status tool.
Status check routes at a glance
| Category | Key points | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| eTA status check | Check a pending eTA or an existing approval on Canada.ca | Government of Canada eTA status check |
| Visitor Visa status check | Find the IRCC status route that matches how you applied | IRCC application status check |
| Processing times | Current official processing times vary by application type and country | IRCC processing times |
| Receiving a refusal notice | Read the reasons for refusal and do not simply reapply with the same material | See what to do after a refusal |
What to check when the status will not load
- Check whether your application still needs time to reach IRCC and appear in the processing system
- Check whether you have not yet received an AOR or an application number
- Check that you are not signed in to a different account from the one used to apply
- Check for typing errors in identifying details such as name, date of birth, UCI or application number
- Check whether IRCC systems are under maintenance or experiencing a temporary error
The difference between processing times and application status
Processing time is an estimate showing how long similar applications take, while application status shows the stage your own application has reached. Passing the processing time does not mean an application is automatically approved or refused, and the timeline can change depending on requests for further documents or on security and eligibility checks.
Protecting your personal information and avoiding phishing
Never enter sensitive information such as your IRCC account password, GCKey credentials or card details on a third-party website on the pretext of checking a visa. Even where CanadaVisaApply provides guidance on checking your status, you should always sign in to the official Canada.ca/IRCC screens yourself.
CanadaVisaApply is not an official website operated by the Government of Canada or IRCC; it is an independent private information and application support service. You can apply for an eTA directly on the official Government of Canada website, where the government eTA fee is currently CAN$7. Government fees for a Visitor Visa currently start at CAN$100 per person, and additional charges such as biometrics fees may apply where required.
FAQ
I lost my eTA approval email. Can I check it again?
You can use the official eTA status check to view the status of an existing eTA and related information.
My Visitor Visa status has not changed at all. Is something wrong?
The status display may not reflect every detail of the work being done in real time. Check the official processing times together with your IRCC messages, and make sure there is no outstanding request for further documents.
Can I check my status without an application number?
Some status checks require identifying details such as an application number or AOR. IRCC advises that an AOR or application number may be provided after an application has been received, checked for completeness and started processing.
Can an agency sign in to my IRCC account on my behalf?
Sharing account credentials calls for caution on security grounds. Formal representation must comply with Canada's rules on representatives, and general information services are encouraged to have users sign in to official accounts themselves.
What should I do if the status shows a refusal?
Read the IRCC decision notice and the reasons for refusal, then decide whether to reapply or seek any legal review you may need. See the refusal guidance menu.
Related pages
- How to apply for a Canadian eTA or Visitor Visa — when you want to follow the process from the start
- What to do after a Canadian visa or eTA refusal — when you have received a refusal notice
- Types of Canadian visa and how the eTA differs — when you want to fill in the basics
- See all FAQs — for other frequently asked questions
Check your application status · Apply for a Canadian visa or eTA