IRCC operates an online IRCC secure account system through which applicants can submit Canadian immigration applications, manage existing applications, upload documents, check application status, and receive correspondence from the department. The secure account is accessible using a GCKey (a federal government credential) or a Sign-In Partner (a Canadian banking institution). A separate IRCC portal (newer version) uses email-based sign-in. Express Entry profiles and most permanent residence applications are submitted and managed through the GCKey/Sign-In Partner version of the secure account. Applicants who submitted paper applications can link their existing application to an online account to receive status updates. Once an application is associated with an IRCC account, IRCC communicates with the applicant through the account inbox rather than by mail. This page explains how the IRCC secure account works, the different sign-in methods, which applications are available online, and how applicants use the account throughout the application process.

For account registration, sign-in instructions, and information on which applications are available online, refer to the IRCC secure account page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations — provide the legal basis for submitting immigration applications; the Regulations permit electronic submission of applications; an application submitted through an IRCC online account is a valid application under IRPA subject to meeting all other validity requirements (form, fees, supporting documents)
• Treasury Board Directive on Identity Management — the Government of Canada's framework for digital identity and credential management; GCKey and Sign-In Partner are federated identity credentials issued under this framework; their use for IRCC secure account access is part of the GC identity management infrastructure
• IRCC: Sign in to your IRCC secure account — canada.ca/ircc-account
• IRCC: Register for an IRCC secure account — canada.ca/ircc-register
• IRCC: Check your application status — canada.ca/check-status

The two types of IRCC online account

IRCC operates two related but distinct online account systems:

• IRCC secure account (GCKey or Sign-In Partner): the primary account for most immigration and citizenship applications; accessed using a GCKey username and password (a credential created specifically for federal government online services) or by signing in through a Sign-In Partner (major Canadian banks that participate in the federal Sign-In Partner program); Express Entry profiles, most permanent residence applications, and citizenship applications are managed through this account type
• IRCC portal (email-based): a newer interface that allows sign-in with an email address and password; used for certain temporary resident applications (visitor visas, study permits applied for online); the portal new version and the GCKey secure account are separate systems — applicants must use the sign-in method they used when they originally registered, as accounts cannot be merged

Creating an IRCC secure account

To create an IRCC secure account using GCKey:

• Navigate to the IRCC registration page and choose GCKey as the sign-in option
• Create a GCKey username and password on the GCKey platform; GCKey is a separate service from IRCC that provides the credential
• Return to IRCC and complete the secure account registration by providing personal information

To create an account using Sign-In Partner:

• Choose Sign-In Partner and select a participating Canadian bank
• Authenticate using online banking credentials; the bank provides the IRCC system with a token confirming identity without sharing banking details
• Complete the IRCC account registration

Sign-In Partner requires a Canadian bank account with a participating institution — it is convenient for applicants who already have a Canadian bank account; international applicants without a Canadian bank account use GCKey.

Express Entry — creating and managing a profile

The Express Entry system is accessed through the IRCC secure account (GCKey or Sign-In Partner version):

• Candidates create an Express Entry profile by logging into their IRCC secure account and completing the profile form
• The profile is assessed for eligibility and a CRS score is assigned; the profile is entered into the Express Entry pool
• Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are delivered through the IRCC secure account inbox; candidates must complete and submit the permanent residence application through the same account within 60 days of receiving the ITA
• The IRCC portal email-based version does not support Express Entry — Express Entry profiles must use a GCKey or Sign-In Partner account

Submitting and managing applications online

Many IRCC application types are available for online submission through the account:

• Permanent residence applications: most PR applications — Express Entry streams, family class sponsorship, Provincial Nominee Program — can be submitted online; in some cases IRCC provides a Permanent Residence (PR) Portal for the post-ITA PR application submission
• Temporary resident applications: visitor visa (TRV), study permit, and work permit applications can be submitted online through the IRCC portal (email-based version for many TRV/SP/WP applications, or through the GCKey account)
• Citizenship applications: adult citizenship grant applications are available online through the IRCC secure account
• Sponsorship applications: spousal and family class sponsorship applications can be submitted online

Not all application types are available online — some require paper forms sent by mail; IRCC's application guides for each specific application specify whether online submission is available.

Linking an existing application to an account

Applicants who submitted a paper application or applied before creating an online account can link their existing application:

• Log in to the IRCC secure account and select the option to link an existing application
• Provide the application number (from the original acknowledgment letter), along with identity information to verify the match
• Once linked, detailed status updates are available through the account and IRCC will send correspondence to the account inbox

Checking application status

Application status can be checked in two ways:

• Through the IRCC secure account: for applications linked to or submitted through an account, a more detailed status tracker is available in the account dashboard
• IRCC application status checker: a public tool at canada.ca/check-status allows applicants to check a basic application status using the application number without signing in

The status displayed in the IRCC account and the public checker reflects DHA's internal processing stages — it indicates whether the application has been received, is in process, requires additional information, or has been decided. It does not provide an estimated decision date.

Authorized representatives and IRCC accounts

An authorized representative (a lawyer, RCIC, or RISIA) who acts on a client's behalf does not use the client's IRCC account — each representative has their own representative account or credential. The representative's access to the application is managed through the representative designation process, not by sharing the applicant's GCKey credentials. Applicants should not share their GCKey password with a representative — sharing credentials is both a security risk and contrary to IRCC policy. See the authorized representatives page for further detail.

The IRCC online account infrastructure is operationally central to Canadian immigration applications — most substantive applications must or can be filed online, and the account is how applicants receive the most important communications in their application (biometrics requests, medical examination notices, additional document requests, and the final decision). The distinction between the GCKey secure account and the email-based IRCC portal is a source of confusion for applicants who have used different accounts for different applications — Express Entry and PR applications require the GCKey/Sign-In Partner version, while some temporary resident applications may have been submitted through the newer portal. The link-existing-application function is particularly important for applicants who have a pending paper application and want to receive online status updates. For account registration, sign-in options, which applications are currently available online, and instructions for linking existing applications, refer to the IRCC secure account page.