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 is my GCKey login not working? ›

If you're getting error messages: use a modern web browser like Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge, rather than Internet Explorer. use your browser's default settings because GCKey needs JavaScript and cookies enabled.

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.

Can I use the same GCKey account for multiple applications? ›

Yes. You can use the same GCKey credential to access all available online services, with the exception of the CRA services. Using the same credential to access many services is convenient, as you don't have to remember several username and passwords.

Can I talk to IRCC? ›

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.

Does IRCC delete accounts? ›

If an IRCC account expires, the user will no longer be able to access the account or any of the services associated with it. The user will need to create a new account in order to access the services again.

Why my account is getting locked out? ›

The common causes for account lockouts are: End-user mistake (typing a wrong username or password) Programs with cached credentials or active threads that retain old credentials.

How do I contact IRCC by phone outside Canada? ›

Phone (when calling from within Canada): 1.888. 242.2100. Phone (when calling from outside of Canada): 1.613. 944.4000.

Why is Canada IRCC so slow? ›

IRCC has service standards that provide the usual processing times for applications. However, there can be delays to these processing standards, causing the processing time of the application to be much longer than IRCC's service standard. Canada's immigration system is experiencing a backlog problem.

How long does it take for IRCC to reply an email? ›

Newcomers should remember that there are certain things IRCC will never ask for via email. It usually takes 2-5 business days to get a response from IRCC by email, though it should be noted that their ability to answer specific questions regarding your case is limited through this channel.

What to do if an 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 use the new IRCC portal? ›

If it's your first time using the IRCC Portal, you need an invite code to create an account. Once you have your code, you can create an account in the portal and sign in. Complete the online form and upload your documents. After you answer all the questions, you'll get a list of documents you need to upload.

How can I recover my immigration account? ›

If you lost your Online Access Code or it has expired, you can request a new one using this link: my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp. After filling out a short form you will see a drop-down menu of technical support options. Please select “I need help with getting a new online access code.” Then click “Send Message.”

Why is my VFS Global login not working? ›

Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then wait at least 2 hours before trying again. If the error message asked you to do so, it's worth giving it a try. If the error persists even after clearing your cache and cookies and waiting for 2 hours, try using a different browser.

Why is my Canadian Express Entry profile ineligible? ›

To submit a profile, you must meet the minimum requirements for one of the Federal Express Entry programs. If you are ineligible to submit a profile, it may be because you do not meet the minimum program requirements, or have less than the required minimum proof of funds.

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.

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