On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) quietly updated its “Next steps: after you apply for an eTA” guidance. The refreshed page clarifies what emails to expect after submitting an Electronic Travel Authorization, how quickly IRCC may.

ask for more information, and why checking your passport number in the approval email is now strongly emphasized.

• After you submit an eTA, watch your inbox (including junk folder) closely for IRCC emails, especially within the first 72 hours.
• If your eTA is approved, immediately confirm that the passport number in the approval email exactly matches your passport; if not, you must reapply.
• Use the online form again for family members or repeat applications and apply well before your flight to avoid last-minute issues.

IRCC updates eTA “Next steps” guidance: what travellers should expect after they apply

On February 20, 2026, updated its “Next steps: after you apply for an eTA” page, which explains what. happens immediately after you submit the Electronic Travel Authorization form and how to interpret the follow-up emails you receive.

The refreshed content does not announce a new application fee or a change to who needs an eTA. Instead, it focuses on clearer, step-by-step instructions about emails, timelines and the critical importance of matching your eTA to your passport details.

contentreference oaicite - Who is affected by today’s eTA clarification?

This update is relevant to anyone who must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. eTA is generally required for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling by air, and some nationals of.

visa-required countries can use an eTA instead of a visitor visa if they meet specific conditions.

Key groups affected include:

• Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada (for example, most Western European passport holders).
• Travellers from certain visa-required countries who are allowed to use an eTA when flying to Canada.
• Recent additions to eTA eligibility, such as citizens of, who have. been able to apply for an eTA instead of a visa since late 2025.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you do not use an eTA to return. to Canada; you must travel with the correct Canadian document (usually a valid Canadian passport for citizens).

Step-by-step: what happens after you submit an eTA application

1. Watch for IRCC’s confirmation email

Right after you submit the eTA form, the updated page confirms that you “will soon receive an email from Immigration,. Refugees and Citizenship Canada.” This email is your main confirmation that IRCC has received your application and is processing it.

IRCC now explicitly reminds applicants to check their junk or spam folder, since some automated IRCC emails can be filtered by email providers. Not seeing an email in your main inbox does not necessarily mean IRCC has not responded.

Separate IRCC guidance also notes that most applicants receive an eTA decision within. minutes, but some applications can take several days if additional review is needed.

2. If your eTA is approved

If your eTA is approved, you will receive a second email that includes your eTA number and confirmation that your authorization has been issued. IRCC’s updated page instructs you to keep this number in case you need to contact them or check your eTA status in the future.

The most important new emphasis is on verifying the passport number shown in your approval email:

• You must check that the passport number in the email exactly matches the number in your passport.
• If there is any difference (even a single digit), IRCC warns that you may not be allowed to board your flight to Canada.
• If the number is wrong, the page directs you to apply for a new eTA using the correct passport details.

IRCC also notes that if you discover this error at the airport, you may have to reapply on. the spot and that it might not be possible to obtain a new eTA in time for your flight.

One possible interpretation is that IRCC is seeing enough last-minute airport problems that it now highlights this risk more prominently.

3. If IRCC needs more information

If your application cannot be decided immediately, IRCC says you can expect an email within 72 hours with instructions on the next steps. This may include, for example:

• requests for additional documents
• questions to clarify your travel history or background
• instructions to complete further checks before a final decision is made

It is essential to follow the instructions in that email carefully and respond within any. deadlines IRCC provides, as failure to do so can lead to refusal or significant delay.

4. Applying for another eTA (family members or repeat applications)

The updated page clarifies that, if you need to apply for another eTA—whether. for a family member or someone else—you should simply “use the form again.”

In practice, that means you cannot “add” a family member to an existing. eTA; each traveller must have their own separate authorization linked to their own passport.

Common scenarios and practical tips based on the new guidance

If your eTA email doesn’t arrive

Based on IRCC’s instructions, you should:

• Check your junk/spam folder and any filtered inboxes carefully.
• Verify that you entered your email correctly on the form.
• Use IRCC’s “Get help with an eTA” page for further troubleshooting if you still have no emails after the suggested time frame.

One possible interpretation of the updated wording is that IRCC wants to reduce unnecessary case-specific. enquiries by reminding applicants that spam filtering is a very common reason emails appear “missing”.

If the passport number in your approval email is wrong

The updated page is clear: if the passport number in your approval email does not match your passport, you should apply again. There is no indication that IRCC will manually “correct” an eTA to a different passport number.

Practical steps:

1. Do not travel on an eTA that is linked to the wrong passport number.
2. Submit a new eTA application immediately with the correct passport details.
3. If your trip is very soon, consider changing your flight to allow extra time in case additional review is needed.

If you have a trip coming up soon

IRCC’s broader eTA information explains that many applications are approved within minutes, but some require several days of processing. Combined with today’s clarification that extra information may be requested within 72 hours, a cautious approach.

is to apply well before you book flights, or at least several weeks before travel whenever possible.

In addition, IRCC has announced a planned outage for its eTA systems on February 24, 2026,. from 12:00 am to 6:00 am Eastern Time, during which the eTA application form will be unavailable.

If you are travelling around that date, you should avoid leaving your application to the last minute.

If you are already in Canada

eTA is primarily an entry requirement for flying to Canada. If you are already in the country as a visitor or on another. temporary status, obtaining or updating an eTA will not extend your authorized stay.

For questions about how long you can remain in Canada or how to extend. your status, you must refer to visitor record or other immigration rules, not eTA guidance.

How today’s update fits into the wider 2026 immigration context

IRCC has been placing increasing emphasis on digital tools, clear instructions and predictable processing, including. updated statistics on application inventories and an ongoing focus on “taking back control” of processing volumes.

Today’s eTA “Next steps” refresh is consistent with that direction: it doesn’t change eligibility or fees, but it aims to reduce confusion. about emails, minimize airport boarding problems linked to passport number errors, and nudge travellers to apply early rather than relying on last-minute approvals.

What you should do now if you rely on an eTA

In light of the February 20, 2026 update, here are concrete actions you can take:

• Apply for your eTA well before booking flights, especially if you have any past refusals, medical issues or complex travel history.
• Monitor your email (including junk folders) closely for at least 72 hours after applying.
• When approved, immediately verify that the passport number in your email matches your passport; if not, reapply.
• Use the eTA form separately for each family member or traveller.
• Avoid applying during the scheduled February 24, 2026 maintenance window if possible.

For deeper strategy on visitor entries and short-term stays, you may want to read our internal resources such as full step-by-step visitor. and eTA guide, visitor visa vs eTA: which do you need?, and how to recover after a previous visa or eTA refusal.

If your situation is complex—for example, you have a past refusal, criminality issues,. or urgent travel—it may be worth getting professional advice before you apply again. Book a consultation to have your specific facts reviewed.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does today’s update change who needs an eTA or how much it costs?

No. The February 20, 2026 update is to the “Next steps: after you apply. for an eTA” guidance page and does not announce new eligibility categories or fees.

eTA remains an online authorization that typically costs $7 CAD and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires. The update is about clearer instructions after you submit your application.

How long should I wait for my eTA before I start to worry?

IRCC indicates that most applicants receive a decision within minutes, but some cases can take several days. The updated page explains that, if more information is needed, you can expect an email within 72 hours with instructions.

If you have heard nothing after that and have checked your junk folder, you may. wish to use IRCC’s help resources or seek professional advice, particularly if travel is imminent.

Can I travel to Canada if my eTA is still “in progress”?

No. Airlines check electronically whether you have a valid eTA linked to the passport you present at check-in. If your eTA is still pending or has been refused, you may not be permitted to board.

IRCC’s messaging about passport number accuracy and timelines underscores that you should not rely on a last-minute decision at the airport.

Can I reuse an eTA for multiple trips?

Yes. Once approved, an eTA is typically valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first,. and can be used for multiple trips during its validity period, as long as you continue to meet entry requirements.

However, if you obtain a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA linked to that new passport.

What should I do if my passport changes after I get an eTA?

Because an eTA is electronically linked to a specific passport, a new passport means a new eTA. IRCC’s guidance confirms that you should submit a fresh eTA application using your new passport details rather than trying to transfer an old authorization.

Apply well in advance of your next flight to give IRCC time to process the new request.

Where can I read IRCC’s official eTA instructions?

You can consult the following official resources:

• The updated “Next steps: after you apply for an eTA” page (see our link to the official IRCC eTA after-you-apply guidance).
• The main eTA program overview explaining what an eTA is and who needs one (official eTA overview).
• IRCC’s help centre pages, including detailed Q&A on eTA problems and scams (IRCC eTA help centre).
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