What happens after I send in my application?

In most cases, you’ll receive a confirmation from us within minutes of applying for your eTA. However, some requests may need several days to process. If this is the case, you can expect an email from us within 72 hours of applying. It will tell you what to do next. Be sure to give us a current email address when you apply.

Changing your email address

If you change your email address after you apply for an eTA, you must update your email address online. You can do this using this Web form.

After you receive your eTA

Your eTA will be valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Your eTA is linked to the passport you used in your eTA application. You will need to show this passport to the airline agent every time you board a flight.

Note: Having a valid eTA and travel document will make it easier for you to enter Canada, but it does not guarantee your entry. When you arrive in Canada, you will still need to show a border services officer that you meet all requirements to enter. If you do not, you may not be allowed to enter.

If you’re applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit

• review your application to make sure it’s complete
• once you pay the biometrics fee, send you a letter that tells you how to give your biometrics (if applicable)
• receive and review your biometrics after you gave them at a collection point (if applicable)
• decide if you’re allowed to come to or stay in Canada (we could do a background check)
• decide if you’re eligible to apply to work, study or visit Canada
• tell you how to get a medical exam (if you need one)
• decide if you need to go to an interview
• tell you of the decision we make on your application

If you applied online, we’ll contact you through your account.

If you applied on paper, we’ll contact you using the information you gave us.

If you’re applying for permanent residence or to sponsor a family member

• review your application to make sure it’s complete
• once you pay the biometric fee, send you or your family member a letter that tells you how to give your biometrics (if applicable)
• receive and review your or your family member’s biometrics after you have given them at a collection point
• decide if you’re eligible to sponsor
• decide if you’re eligible to apply to become a permanent resident of Canada
• tell you when we start processing your application,
• tell you how to get a medical exam, if you didn’t get one before sending in your application
• do a security screening to make sure all applicants don’t pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians
• decide if you need to go to an interview
• tell you of the decision we make on your application

If you’re applying for citizenship

To process applications for a grant of Canadian citizenship, we’ll

• review your application to make sure it’s complete
• take your fees and send you an acknowledgement of receipt letter
• review your application to make sure you meet the requirements for Canadian citizenship
• schedule you to take the citizenship test, if you’re between 18 and 54 years old
• schedule an interview with you (All applicants will have an interview with an IRCC official. Some applicants may need to have a hearing with a citizenship officer or a citizenship judge)
• tell you of the decision made on your application
• schedule you to take the oath of citizenship in person at a citizenship ceremony, if we approve your application

If you’re applying for proof of citizenship (citizenship certificate)

Once we receive your application for a citizenship certificate, we check that it’s complete. If it is, we’ll start processing it.

If your case is complex, we may contact you to get more information. Complex applications may take us longer to process than the processing time shown on our website.

If you’re applying for a search of citizenship records

When we receive your application for a search of citizenship records, we’ll review it and check that it’s complete. If it is, we’ll start processing and searching our citizenship records using the information you provided. If it’s incomplete, we’ll contact you to ask for the missing information and we may return your application.

• how to track and update your application
• what you’ll receive if we find or don’t find a record

There are several ways to check the status of your application.