Sign in to your IRCC secure account (2024)

Help with your account

Errors and issues when you sign in

You can use the same GCKey username and password on different computers, phones and tablets.

If you're getting error messages:
  • Use the most recent version of a supported web browser like
    • Safari
    • Chrome
    • Firefox
    • Microsoft Edge

    If you're using Internet Explorer, update your browser to Microsoft Edge.

  • Don't use a favourite link or bookmark to pages inside the account. You must sign in to see them.
  • Use your browser's default settings. GCKey needs JavaScript and cookies enabled.
  • Update your browser if you see one of these messages when you try to sign in:
    • Page Can’t Be Displayed
    • Cannot Establish a Secure Connection
    • Page Not Available

    You can usually find the option to update your browser in your browser menu's settings or preferences.

Other technical issues
  • Too many attempts

    You may get a failure message if you make too many unsuccessful attempts to sign in during the same session. Close your browser window or tab and try again.

  • Experiencing technical difficulties

    The site could be down for a number of reasons, including for system maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience. Try again later.

  • Session expired

    For security, your session will be closed if it's inactive for a certain number of minutes. Sign in again.

Get more help with sign-in issues

You forgot your GCKey password or username

Read the instructions for your situation.

Forgot your username and password
  1. Follow the steps to recover your username first.
  2. Once you have your username, follow the steps to recover your password.
You lost or no longer use the email you registered with
  1. Sign up for a new GCKey username and password.
  2. Create a new account in the IRCC secure account.

You may not be able to find your application in your new account. You may need to link your application to your new account.

Forgot your username
If you have a recovery email address
  1. Select GCKey username and password.
  2. Select Forgot your username? on the Welcome to GCKey page.
  3. Enter your recovery email address on the Recover Username Step 1 of 2 page.
    • You provided your recovery email address either when you signed up for a GCKey username and password or at a later time.
  4. Select Continue.
    • You'll be brought to a page that explains where we’ll email your username and what to do if you don't receive the email.
  5. Select Continue again.
  6. Check your email. You should get an email from the Government of Canada with your GCKey username.
  7. Sign in with your username and password on the Welcome to GCKey page.
If you don’t have a recovery email address
  1. Select GCKey username and password.
  2. Select Sign up on the Welcome to GCKey page to create a new GCKey username and password.
  3. Create a new account in the IRCC secure account.

During this process, you may be able to:

  • recover your account
  • link your existing applications to your new account
Forgot your password
  1. Select GCKey username and password.
  2. Select Forgot your password? on the Welcome to GCKey page.
  3. Enter your GCKey username.
  4. Select Continue.
    • If you used an email address when signing up for your GCKey username, reset your password with your email address.
    • If you didn't use an email address to sign up, reset your password using recovery questions.
Password reset using an email address
  1. Enter your email address.
  2. Check your email account. You should get an email from the Government of Canada with a confirmation code.
  3. Enter the confirmation code on the Forgot Your Password Step 2 of 4 page.
    • This page should load automatically after you enter your username and select Continue on the previous page.
  4. Select Continue.
  5. Enter the answer to the recovery question you’re prompted with in the My Recovery Answer field.
  6. Select Continue.
  7. Enter a new password in the New Password field.
  8. Re-enter that same password in the Confirm New Password field.
  9. Select Continue.
  10. Select Continue again on the Forget Your Password Complete page.
Password reset using recovery questions
  1. Select Recovery Q&A in the Recovery Questions and Answers box on the Forget Your Password Step 2 of 4 page.
  2. Enter your answers in the My Recovery Answer, My Memorable Person Answer and My Memorable Date fields.
    • You should find the questions and hints above each field.
  3. Enter a new password in the Create Your New Password field.
  4. Enter the same password in the Confirm Your New Password field.
  5. Select Continue.
  6. Select Continue again on the Forget Your Password Complete page.
    • If you correctly answered all the recovery questions, you'll automatically be brought to this page.

Get more help with GCKey

GCKey two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication protects your account. You need to choose a second authentication method (other than your username and password) to use each time you sign in.

Set up your two-factor authentication method

Change your two-factor authentication method

You need access to your existing email or authenticator app, or to your saved recovery codes.

If you have access to your two-factor authentication method
  1. Sign in to your account with your GCKey username and password.
  2. SelectContinue on the Welcome page.
  3. Use your current two-factor method.
  4. On the Authentication success page, select Change your two-factor authentication.
  5. On the Two-factor authentication page, follow the prompts to set up two-factor authentication again.
  6. Save your new recovery codes somewhere safe. Your old codes will no longer work.
If you don't have access to your two-factor authentication method
You have recovery codes:
  1. Sign in to your account with your GCKey username and password.
  2. Select Recover account on the two-factor authentication page.
  3. Enter one of the recovery codes you saved when you first set up two-factor authentication.
  4. Select Change your two-factor authentication on the authentication success page.
  5. Follow the prompts to set up two-factor authentication again.
  6. Save your new recovery codes somewhere safe. Your old codes will no longer work.
You don’t have recovery codes:
  1. Sign up for a new GCKey username and password.
  2. Create a new account in the IRCC secure account.
  3. Follow the prompts to set up two-factor authentication again.
  4. Save your new recovery codes somewhere safe. Your old codes will no longer work.

During this process, you may be able to:

  • recover your account
  • link your existing applications to your new account
Contact the GCKey Service Desk

GCKey representatives can only help with GCKey issues (including two-factor authentication). They don’t have access to any Government of Canada account or application information.

  • Canada and the United States: 1-855-438-1102
  • Text telephone (TTY/TDD): 1-855-438-1103
  • Outside Canada and the United States: 1-800-2318-6290

GCKey representatives are available to assist you by phone year round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get more help with two-factor authentication

GCKey revoked

You can’t recover your GCKey username and password if they were revoked. They can be revoked if:

  • your username and password are compromised
  • you haven’t used GCKey in the last 2 years
    • Don’t use the same username and password you use for GCKey for any other online accounts.

If your GCKey username and password were revoked, you can choose a different Sign-In method or sign up for a GCKey username and password again.

To sign up for a new GCKey username and password:

  1. Select GCKey username and password.
  2. Select Sign up on the Welcome to GCKey page to create a new GCKey username and password.
  3. Create a new account in the IRCC secure account.

During this process, you may be able to:

  • recover your account
  • link your existing applications to your new account
Change your Sign-In Partner

If you moved to a new bank or credit union, you may be able to switch your Sign-In Partner:

  1. Select Canadian Interac® Sign-In Partner.
  2. Select Switch My Sign-In Partner from the menu on the Select a Sign-In Partner page.
  3. Follow the steps to change your Sign-In Partner.
If you don’t find your application in your account

This can happen if you:

  • created a new GCKey username and password
  • switched to a different Sign-In Partner

To fix this, you need to link the application to your account.

If your personal reference code doesn’t work

You may have a personal reference code (from the Come to Canada tool) for these applications:

  • Express Entry (to immigrate as a skilled worker)
  • International Experience Canada (IEC)
  • study permits (and extensions)
  • work permits (and extensions)
  • visitor visas and visitor records

Make sure you enter the code correctly in your account. Your personal reference code will expire 60 days after you get it.

You don’t need a personal reference code to start an application in the IRCC secure account.

Express Entry and International Experience Canada

The code won’t work if you created a profile in the account before using the Come to Canada tool. You can still continue your profile without the code, but you will need to enter your information again.

More help options
Help Centre

Find answers to questions about

  • common technical issues
  • GCKey and Sign-In Partner
  • other topics
GCKey

For more information and help:

  • read
    • the GCKey help page
    • our answers to common GCKey questions
  • review the help options in the menu after you select GCKey username and password
Contact the GCKey Service Desk

GCKey representatives can only help with GCKey issues (including two-factor authentication). They don’t have access to any Government of Canada account or application information.

  • Canada and the United States: 1-855-438-1102
  • Text telephone (TTY/TDD): 1-855-438-1103
  • Outside Canada and the United States: 1-800-2318-6290

GCKey representatives are available to assist you by phone year round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sign-In Partner

Find help and frequently asked questions in the Sign-In Partner menu after you select Interac® Sign-In Partner.

You can also read our answers to common Sign-In Partner questions.

Sign in to your IRCC secure account (2024)

FAQs

Why am I unable to login to IRCC? ›

If you're having trouble signing in to your IRCC secure account , try these common fixes: Make sure you're using the most recent version of a supported browser like Edge, Safari, Chrome or Firefox.

How do I sign my IRCC form online? ›

If you apply online:

Save the form on your computer in a place you'll remember. Upload the form to your account. After you upload all the forms for your application, click the “Next” button that appeared below your uploaded documents. This is your electronic signature.

How do I retrieve my IRCC account? ›

  1. Enter your email address.
  2. Check your email account. ...
  3. Enter the confirmation code on the Forgot Your Password Step 2 of 4 page. ...
  4. Select Continue.
  5. Enter the answer to the recovery question you're prompted with in the My Recovery Answer field.
  6. Select Continue.
  7. Enter a new password in the New Password field.
May 10, 2024

How do I log into GCKey Canada? ›

How to sign in using GCKey
  1. On the sign-in page for the account you want to use, select the GCKey button (Sign in with GCKey) ...
  2. On the Welcome to GCKey page, enter the username and password you created when you first signed up for your GCKey.
  3. Select the Sign In button.
Apr 12, 2024

Why is IRCC not working? ›

A common issue for new users, being unable to open documents from IRCC can be frustrating but does come with a simple fix. To be opened, IRCC documents require Adobe Reader 10 or higher. Adobe Reader is a free software manufactured by Adobe, that allows users to fill and sign PDFs electronically.

What should I do if my IRCC account is locked? ›

If your account is locked, you'll be able to access it again in 24 hours. Note that if you forgot the answers to your security questions, you'll have to make a new account and link your application from it.

How do I connect to IRCC? ›

By phone. Call the IRCC Call Centre (1-888-242-2100), from within Canada only, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm local time, except for statutory holidays). Prepare to wait on hold for some time.

What is IRCC portal Canada? ›

Authorized paid representatives (APRs) can use the IRCC portal to complete, pay for and submit certain online applications on behalf of their clients. Use the IRCC portal for these client applications: study permits. visitor visas (temporary resident visa) in-Canada refugee claims.

What is the 13 digit IRCC number? ›

Prior to scheduling an appointment, individuals are issued an IRCC number when they apply for an immigration benefit through IRCC. The IRCC number is a unique personal identifier issued and used by the Canadian government, but is not tied to any personal information in any USCIS system.

What to do if IRCC is not responding? ›

Note: If you do not receive a response within 30 days, you may obtain the status of your request by contacting the ATIP Division via:
  1. e-mail: ATIP-AIPRP@cic.gc.ca; or.
  2. mail: Access to Information and Privacy Division. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Ottawa, Ontario. K1A 1L1.

How do I get an IRCC? ›

You must first apply to the province or territory where you want to live and be nominated, and. After a province or territory nominates you, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence. An IRCC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration rules.

How do I update my IRCC profile? ›

On the “Express Entry profile” page, click on the “Update form” button for the section you want to change. Note: If the button only says “View form,” your profile wasn't found eligible. You'll have to submit a new one. Make any changes you need to, and then click the “Save and exit” button at the bottom of the page.

What is IRCC ID number Canada? ›

Your client ID , also referred to as a UCI , is on all documents you get from us. It is an eight or ten-digit number that looks like this: 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000. If you are applying to us for the first time, you will not yet have a client ID .

What is the personal reference code for IRCC? ›

A personal reference code is a unique code you get when you use the Come to Canada online eligibility tool. You can use this code only in the IRCC secure account to: start an online application for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit.

How to check visa application status for Canada? ›

How to Check Canada Visa Status Online?
  1. Step 1: Visit the official Government of Canada website. ...
  2. Step 2: Find the "Check your application status" page. ...
  3. Step 3: Enter your application details. ...
  4. Step 4: Submit your application details. ...
  5. Step 5: Check your visa status.

Why is my GCKey not working? ›

If your GCKey has been revoked. You will need to register for a new GCKey. If you see an error message. Try using a different browser (i.e. Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and clearing your cache memory.

Why am I not getting email from IRCC? ›

Some spam filters may block our emails. Check the folder regularly as emails may at times be moved from your inbox to the junk mail folder. If you have not received an email confirmation with an application number within 72 hours of applying, you will need to fill out this Web form.

Why is my IRCC application not showing up? ›

After we receive your application, it may take up to 5 days for you to see it in your account. We are working to shorten this wait time. If your application does not appear after 5 days, contact us and report a technical problem. This issue will not delay the processing of your application.

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