Canada eTA Status: How to Check Your Application

You can check your Canada eTA status at any time through the official Government of Canada portal. Whether you applied minutes ago or are verifying an existing authorization, the IRCC online tool provides real-time updates using your passport number and application details.

How to Check Your Canada eTA Status Online

The primary way to check your Canada eTA status is through the IRCC portal on the official canada.ca website. The process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.

Follow these steps to check your eTA status:

Visit the official IRCC website at canada.ca/eta-status
Enter your eTA application number – this is the number you received in your confirmation email after submitting your application. It typically starts with a letter followed by digits
Provide your passport number – enter the passport number exactly as it appears on your travel document
Select your country of citizenship – choose the country that issued your passport
Complete the CAPTCHA verification – this confirms you are not a bot
Click “Check Status” – the system will display your current eTA status

The portal displays one of several possible statuses:

Approved – your eTA is active and linked to your passport. You can fly to Canada
Pending – your application is still being processed. Most eTAs are approved within minutes, but some take up to 72 hours
Refused – your eTA was not approved. You may be eligible to apply for a visitor visa instead
Not Found – the system could not locate an application with those details. Double-check your application number and passport number

What Information Do You Need to Check eTA Status

You need your eTA application number, passport number, and country of citizenship to check your status online. Without these three pieces of information, the IRCC portal cannot locate your application.

Required information:

eTA application number – provided in your confirmation email after submitting the application. Check your inbox and spam folder for an email from IRCC with the subject line related to your eTA
Passport number – the same passport you used during the application. It must match exactly, including any letters or special characters
Country of citizenship – the country that issued your passport, not your current country of residence

If you lost your application number:

Search your email inbox for messages from IRCC or the Government of Canada
Check the spam or junk folder – automated government emails sometimes end up there
If you cannot find the email, you can submit a new eTA application. There is no limit to the number of applications you can submit, and each one costs CAD $7

How Long Does Canada eTA Processing Take

Most Canada eTA applications are approved within minutes of submission. The automated system processes the majority of applications almost instantly. However, some applications require additional review and can take up to 72 hours or longer.

Typical processing timelines:

Scenario	Processing Time
Standard approval	Within minutes
Additional review required	1 to 72 hours
Manual review by IRCC officer	Up to several weeks
Request for additional documents	Varies – depends on your response time

Factors that may delay processing:

Incomplete information on your application form
Criminal history or previous immigration issues flagged during background checks
Name matches with individuals on security watchlists (common names may trigger additional screening)
Previous visa refusals or overstays in Canada or other countries
High application volume during peak travel seasons (summer months and holidays)

If your eTA has been pending for more than 72 hours, it does not necessarily mean it has been refused. Some applications take longer due to additional security screening. You should continue checking your status online.

What Does Each Canada eTA Status Mean

Understanding your eTA status helps you know your next steps and whether you can travel to Canada. Each status carries specific implications for your travel plans.

Approved eTA

An approved eTA means your travel authorization is active. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport – you do not need to print anything or carry a physical document. When you check in for your flight, the airline will verify your eTA electronically using your passport details.

Key points about an approved eTA:

Valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
Allows multiple entries to Canada for stays of up to 6 months per visit
Does not guarantee entry – a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer makes the final decision at the port of entry
Must match your current passport – if you get a new passport, you need a new eTA

Pending eTA

A pending status means your application is still being processed. This is normal and does not indicate a problem. The IRCC automated system handles most applications, but some require manual review by an immigration officer.

What to do while your eTA is pending:

Check your email regularly – IRCC may request additional documents or information
Monitor your status online using the same portal
Do not book non-refundable flights until your eTA is approved
Wait at least 72 hours before contacting IRCC about a pending application

Refused eTA

A refused eTA means you are not authorized to fly to Canada under the eTA program. A refusal does not mean you are permanently banned from Canada – you may still be eligible to apply for a visitor visa through a Canadian embassy or consulate.

Common reasons for eTA refusal:

Criminal inadmissibility – past criminal convictions, including DUI charges
Previous immigration violations – overstaying a visa or working without authorization in Canada
Health-related grounds – conditions that could pose a public health risk or excessive demand on Canadian health services
Misrepresentation – providing false or misleading information on your application
Security concerns – connections to organizations that threaten Canadian security

If your eTA is refused, you will receive a notification explaining the reason. You can:

Apply for a visitor visa at a Canadian embassy or consulate
Submit a new eTA application if circumstances have changed
Seek legal advice from a Canadian immigration lawyer if the refusal seems unjustified

Can I Check eTA Status With Just My Passport Number

No, you cannot check your Canada eTA status with only your passport number. The IRCC online status tool requires three pieces of information: the eTA application number, passport number, and country of citizenship. The application number acts as a unique identifier that links your passport to a specific eTA application.

However, there is an indirect way to check if you have a valid eTA using just your passport:

Contact your airline – when you check in for a flight to Canada, the airline system verifies your eTA status electronically. If your eTA is valid, the check-in proceeds normally. If not, the airline will inform you that you need an eTA before boarding
Use the IRCC eTA verification tool – this tool is designed for airlines and travel agents, but it confirms whether a passport has an associated valid eTA

Important: Always keep your eTA confirmation email. It contains your application number, which is essential for checking status, making corrections, or resolving issues with your application.

How to Check If Your Canada eTA Is Still Valid

To verify that your existing Canada eTA is still valid, check the IRCC online status portal with your application number and passport details. The status page will confirm whether your eTA is approved, expired, or no longer valid.

Your eTA remains valid as long as:

Your passport has not expired – the eTA is tied to your passport. When your passport expires, your eTA becomes invalid automatically, even if the 5-year validity period has not elapsed
You have not been issued a new passport – if you renewed your passport, even with the same number, you need a new eTA
Your eTA has not been revoked – in rare cases, IRCC may revoke an eTA if new information comes to light that affects your eligibility
Less than 5 years have passed since the eTA was issued – if your passport remains valid, the eTA can last up to 5 years from the date of approval

Signs your eTA may no longer be valid:

You received a new passport since applying
Your passport has expired or will expire before your trip
You received a notification from IRCC about changes to your eTA status
It has been more than 5 years since your eTA was approved

Can You Check Canada eTA Status by Phone

Yes, you can check your Canada eTA status by phone through the IRCC Client Support Centre. However, phone inquiries are generally slower than checking online and are recommended only when the online portal does not resolve your issue.

IRCC contact information:

Phone (within Canada): 1-888-242-2100
Phone (outside Canada): +1-613-944-4000
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Languages: English and French

When to call IRCC:

Your eTA has been pending for more than 72 hours with no update
You lost your application number and cannot find your confirmation email
Your eTA was refused and you need clarification on the reason
You need to update information on an existing application
You suspect there is an error in your eTA status

Before calling, have the following ready:

Your passport number
Date of birth
Full name as it appears on your passport
Any correspondence reference numbers from IRCC emails

Note: IRCC phone lines can have long wait times, especially during peak travel seasons. The online status check portal is faster for routine status inquiries.

What Happens If You Travel to Canada Without Checking eTA Status

Traveling to Canada without a valid eTA will prevent you from boarding your flight. Airlines are required to verify that every passenger flying to Canada has a valid travel authorization before issuing a boarding pass. If your eTA is expired, refused, or never applied for, the airline will deny you boarding.

Consequences of traveling without a valid eTA:

Denied boarding at your departure airport – the airline checks eTA status electronically during check-in
Missed flights and non-refundable bookings – airlines are not obligated to refund tickets for passengers denied boarding due to missing travel documents
Potential issues at the Canadian border – even if you somehow reach Canada without an eTA, a CBSA officer will assess your admissibility and may deny entry
Future application complications – a denied entry or immigration violation can affect future eTA and visa applications

Best practice: Check your eTA status at least one week before your departure date. This gives you time to reapply or seek alternatives if your eTA is expired, refused, or not found in the system.

Canada eTA Status Check Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my eTA status without an application number?

If you lost your application number, search your email for messages from IRCC. Check your spam folder. If you cannot find it, you will need to submit a new eTA application. There is no fee-free way to retrieve a lost application number.

Can I check my eTA status at the airport?

Airlines verify your eTA electronically when you check in for your flight to Canada. However, this only confirms whether you have a valid eTA – it does not show the detailed status. For full status details, use the IRCC online portal before arriving at the airport.

Why does my eTA status say “Not Found”?

A “Not Found” status usually means the application number, passport number, or country of citizenship does not match the records. Double-check that you are entering the correct passport number – the one used during the application, not a new or different passport. If the passport number is correct, verify the application number from your confirmation email.

How long should I wait before checking eTA status after applying?

You can check your status immediately after applying, but most applications are approved within minutes. If your status shows “Pending,” wait at least 72 hours before taking further action. Some applications require additional screening and take longer.

Can someone else check my eTA status for me?

No, the IRCC status check portal requires your personal passport information. Only the applicant or an authorized representative (such as a licensed immigration consultant) can access eTA status details. Never share your passport details with unauthorized third parties.

Does checking eTA status affect my application?

No, checking your eTA status has no effect on the processing of your application. You can check as often as you like without impacting the outcome or processing time.

My eTA was approved but I received no email confirmation.

Check your spam or junk folder for emails from IRCC. Add the IRCC email domain to your safe senders list. If you still cannot find the confirmation, log into the IRCC portal to check your status. The approval is valid even if you did not receive the email – the eTA is linked to your passport electronically.

Can I check eTA status for someone else’s application?

You can only check eTA status if you have the applicant’s eTA application number, passport number, and country of citizenship. Without all three pieces of information, the system cannot retrieve the status. Parents can check for minor children if they have the child’s application and passport details.