CANADA VISA GUIDE
CANADA STEP-BY-STEP VISA GUIDE
This online page is going to be your guide to walk you through the entire Visa Application process in 3 stages, outlined in the tabs above. Please make sure you save this page to your bookmarks or favourites as you will need to access it regularly.
Please make sure you read each page/tab before beginning and follow each step carefully as it is easy to make mistakes, which can be costly! Remember we are here to help, however all the information you will need to easily walk yourself through the working holiday visa application can be found in this guide so take your time and do it right the first time.
If at any stage you become overwhelmed or you have questions you can contact us at canada@theworkingholidayclub.com or 1300 295 579.
CHECK YOUR PASSPORT: Please note that you cannot start the visa process until you have a valid passport. If your passport has already expired please renew your passport right away before starting your visa application. You must have minimum 2 years validity let on your passport from the date you enter Canada. So if your passport is due to expire before this time frame, please renew your passport before starting the process.
IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING ERRORS AND LOGGING INTO THE GCKEY WEBSITE:
95% of the questions we get are from people having troubles being able to log into their GCKey account on their website. This is due to the browsing cache and cookies used from the Canadian Visa Website. This is very common and happens to everyone! They regularly make changes and updates to their website, and each time this happens you need to clear your browsing cache to log back in. Otherwise you get sent in circles and sent back to the Immigration home page or you receive an ERROR message.
If this happens to please follow the below steps:
- Make sure you are using a computer – a phone can have the most trouble so we highly suggest using a computer if you are able to
- Clear your browsing cache. If you are unsure how to do this, google ‘How to clear browsing cache on GoogleChrome correctly’.
- We find GoogleChrome the best browser to use. Firefox and Safari tend to have more issues with the visa website
- It can usually take more than one time to log in – if you have tried the above steps and have the same issues, keep going back to the login page below. It may require you to login 3 or 4 times before you get through to your application
- GCKEY LogIn Page
- If this still keeps happening try using an ‘Incognito Browser’ which is unaffected by cache or cookies. Please see instructions below to do this on a computer:
- Mac: Press Shift + Command + N
- Windows/PC: Press Ctrl + Shift + N
- It may still take you a few goes, so persistence is key!
- Get in the habit of clearing your cache or using an incognito window everytime you login.
- If you still cannot get in – Try again in 24 hours as the website may be down (However it will usually be noted on the log in page if the website is down)
- If all else fails please reach out to our team!!!
The below is an outline of the steps we will walk you through once you get started. You can refer back to this to keep track of what stage of the application you are up to.
1. APPLY FOR YOUR DOCUMENTS
This takes approx 15-20 minutes to complete online. You first step is to use the ‘Order Documents’ tab to correctly order the documents required to submit during the application. You dont have to wait until the documents arrive, as long as you have applied for them you should receive them by the time you need to submit then (dot point 4 below).
2. ENTER INTO THE POOL OF APPLICANTS (PART 1)
Applications for the 2023 are now OPEN and we HIGHLY suggest starting your visa application right away! Please note that invitations to apply will not be sent until January 9th, 2023 at the very earliest.
3. WAIT FOR YOUR INVITATION TO APPLY
Invitations to apply are distributed at random and can take anywhere from 24 hours up to 8 weeks so you will need to keep logging in and checking your GCKEY account every day for updates . (At the moment they are being received within 2 weeks).
4. SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS + PAY FOR THE VISA APPLICATION (PART 2)
Once you receive your Invitation tp Apply you are given 10 days accept it and to start the application. Once it is accepted you have 20 days to submit the application and pay the $330 Visa Fee.
5. BIOMETRICS INSTRUCTION LETTER
Once your application is submitted and paid for, you will then receive the Biometrics Instructions Letter into your GCKey account. You must wait for this letter before you are able to book your biometrics appointment.
6. BOOK + ATTEND YOUR BIOMETRICS IN PERSON (PART 3)
Once you have your Biometrics Instruction Letter you have 30 days to attend your Biometrics appointment in either Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Auckland. You can also submit these overseas if you are not in Aus or NZ.
You wont be able to do your biometrics appointment before you have completed all steps above and received the Biometrics Instruction Letter.
7. WAIT FOR YOUR APPROVAL LETTER
Once you attend your appointment, your Biometrics is automatically submitted to your online application. From here, you should receive your approval within 30-60 days of attending your Biometrics appointment. The approval letter (also known as POE letter) will be send to the messages section of your GCKey account.
8. POE APPROVAL LETTER
Once this is received, you have finished the Visa Application process! Congratulations! You now have 12 months to enter Canada. When you enter Canada you will need to show immigration on arrival that you have a minimum of $2,500 savings in your account, and that you have a travel insurance policy for your entire stay in Canada. They will then take your POE Visa Approval letter and put the visa in your passport. The 2 years of your visa will start from the date you enter Canada.
ORDER YOUR DOCUMENTS
Before you begin your application, please make sure you have ordered the documents that apply to you below before you start the process, so yo have them ready to upload in the next stage. You don’t have to wait until they arrive, you just have to order them before moving on.
1. PASSPORT: Check the validity (time remaining) on your passport**
You must have at least 2+ years available on your passport from the time you wish to enter Canada (for example: If you plan to enter in November 2022, you want your passport to be valid until at LEAST November 2024 to get the full 2 year visa). You must have a valid passport to start the visa process. If your passport has already expired you must order a new one now as you wont be able to start until it arrives.
If your passport is valid but expires in the next 2 years you can start with the current passport and update your application with the new passport down the track.
IF YOUR PASSPORT HAS EXPIRED: Please note that you cannot start the visa process until you have a valid passport. If your passport has already expired please order a new one immeidately and make sure that you pay the extra fee to fastrack the its arrival. General processing takes up to 8 weeks and you don’t have time to wait until then to start your visa application.
2. Criminal History Check:
In the second stage of your visa application you will be required to upload a criminal history check from your country of residence + any country you have spent longer than 6 consecutive months over the age of 18. It is best to order these documents now so you have them ready to upload when asked down the track. The details for Australian, New Zealand and UK police checks are below. If you need help gaining a different report for your country of residence please ask.
For Australian Residents – Criminal History check from the AFP (Australian Federal Police)
You MUST obtain this report from the Australian Federal Police website ONLY. You cannot obtain this from your local police station.
https://afpnationalpolicechecks.converga.com.au/
Please read through the information then click ‘Start new application at the bottom of the page’. Select your ID documents and click. What you are applying for is a ‘name check’ only. You do NOT need the fingerprint check.
VERY IMPORTANT: You will need to tick option ‘Commonwealth Employment /Purpose’ then select option 35 for the reason you are applying for a Police Check when completing the application as shown below.
If you dont select option 35, the visa office will not accept your police report and you will lost time and have to re-order it again.
Police Certificates cost $42 and can take between 10-21 working days to arrive so please be patient. There is no way to fast track this process.
For New Zealand Residents – Ministry ofJustice Criminal Record Check
You MUST obtain this as a part of the visa through the New Zealand Ministry of Justice only:
Click ‘Criminal Record Check’ in the black bar at the top of the page. Then go down to the link ‘Get your own criminal record’ and click ‘Apply online’ then click ‘Individual Request’ and follow the instructions on the form.
*If you have lived in both Australia and New Zealand for longer than 6 months in each you will need to get BOTH New Zealand and Australian Police Report.
THE UK – Police Certificate (for anyone who has lived in the UK for longer than 6 months)
You MUST obtain this report through the ACRO Criminal Records office ONLY
https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx
Click ‘Apply’ and follow the instructions.
USA – FBI CHECK (for anyone who has lived in the USA for longer than 6 months
If you have lived in the USA for longer than 6 months over the age of 18 you will need the FBI Check. This is unfortunately a longer and slightly harder process. You need to have your fingerprints done at a local police station to send off to the FBI.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
Please follow the instructions on their website and allow at least 8 weeks for them to come back.
3. Traffic History Report – (For Australian residents of QLD or VIC ONLY)
If you live (or have previously lived) in QLD or VIC you will also need to supply a ‘Full drivers license traffic history report’. This needs to be a FULL AND COMPLETE Drivers history report, or a 10 year report. If you have never held a license in QLD or VIC you will need to contact QLD Transport or Vic Roads and request a document from them confirming you have never held a license in your name so you can submit that.
If you have never lived in VIC or QLD you do not need to supply a traffic history report.
QLD – TRAFFIC HISTORY APPLICATION – CLICK HERE
VIC – TRAFFIC HISTORY APPLICATION – CLICK HERE
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE PART 1
STAGE 1 - BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION ON THE CIC WEBSITE
STEP 1
Now that you have ordered your documents you are ready to start your application on the Canadian Government Website. This will be done through a GCKey account. Click on link below to create a GCKey account and begin your application.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
Once you open the link, please click Option 1: ‘Sign in with GCKey’ button below:
STEP 2
You will then come to a log in page. Please click the ‘Sign Up’ button on the right hand side.
STEP 3
Now click ‘I accept’ to the terms & conditions:
STEP 4
Next create your username and click ‘Continue’.Then create your password and click continue again.
STEP 5
Next, fill in the recovery questions below and click ‘Continue’.
Please make sure you save these answers as they cannot be retrieved or re-set.
STEP 6
You will now receive confirmation your GCKey account is created. Please click the ‘continue’ button.
Note: You can also use this link to log into your GCKey account at any point: It is a good idea to save this link to your favourites/bookmarks too as you will access it a-lot.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
STEP 7
Now click ‘I accept’ to the Terms & Conditions:
STEP 8
Fill in your details in the ‘Create Account’ section below and click ‘Continue’
STEP 9
Next fill in your own security questions and answers below.
STEP 10
You will now be logged into your account that will look like the below image.
At anytime you need to log back into your GCKey account use the link from Step 6.
STEP 11
Please click on the ‘Apply to come to Canada’ Link under the ‘Start an application’ heading.
STEP 12
You will now come to the Personal checklist page below. Under the heading ‘I do not have a Personal Reference Code’ please click the ‘International Experience Canada’ (IEC) button.
STEP 13
Fill in your details in the Eligibility section below and click ‘Next’
STEP 14
Answer ‘No’ to the below question and click ‘Next’
STEP 15
Enter your Country of Residence and click ‘Next’
Note: If you are from Finland/Italy you must be residing in Finland to apply.
STEP 16
Answer ‘No’ to the below question as you cannot study on the Working Holiday Visa
whilst in Canada. Then click ‘Next’
STEP 17
Make sure you answer ‘No’ to the next 2 questions below. If you are currently studying you can answer ‘Yes’ to the second question if you need to as it will not change the outcome.
IMPORTANT – You MUST answer ‘No’ to having a job offer. Even if you do have one you must STILL answer ‘No’ as you are applying for an Open Work Permit NOT a Young Professionals Visa. If you answer this question incorrectly you will have to start all over again.
STEP 18
You will now come to the below screen that will say you are eligible for the International Experience Canada. If your application does not say this it means you have answered a question incorrectly along the way and should start again or contact us for help. Click ‘Continue’ from the screen below:
STEP 19
You will now come to the screen below that will have 4 sections for you to fill out.
STEP 20
Click on the ‘Continue Form’ button next to the ‘Personal details of applicant’ and fill in each section and click the next button each time to keep going. Once you are at the end of this section click the ‘Validate’ button then ‘Save & Exit’.
STEP 21
Complete the same process for the next 3 sections until they are all completed and show up as per below. Then click the ‘Continue’ button.
STEP 22
This will take you to the end of the first step of the application where you will electronically sign for your application to enter the pool. Click the ‘I agree’ button and fill in your details as per below and click ‘Sign’. It will prompt you to sign twice and then the next button to click is ‘Transmit’
STEP 23
You have now completed Stage 1 and have successfully entered into the pool of applicants and will see the below confirmation on your screen.
STEP 24
Once you click ‘Exit Questionnaire’ and enter back into your account you will see your submitted application in your account as below.
This is the end of Stage 1 and you have now successfully entered into the visa pool! Well done!
Within 72 hours after this you will receive a confirmation PDF in your GCKey account messages section stating you are now in the pool. To view this, click on ‘Check full application status’ under the Action heading in the image above.
You can then scroll down to view the message section. Here you can click the ‘IEC Welcome to the pool letter’ to retrieve your PDF as per below.
Once you have received this letter, you are now waiting for the Invitation to Apply which can take up to 8 weeks. However the current processing time is approx 2 weeks. Just keep an eye on your GCKey account.
Once you receive an ‘Invitation to Apply’ you only have 10 days to accept it, then a further 20 days to submit all the documents. These instructions are in the next tab under Part 2.
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you do NOT let this deadline for the invite expire. Even if you do not have all the documents ready (police report etc) you can upload a receipt that you have ordered it and they will then give you further time to submit the application. For some countries you may only ever get one Invitation to Apply so if you are unsure about anything at all please just ask as we are here to help and have been through this process thousands of times.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE PART 2
PART 2: STEP 1
Once you receive the Invitation to Apply that looks like the letter below – you are ready to move onto the next step of the application.
PART 2: STEP 2
Once you receive your Invitation to Apply you will be given 10 days to accept the Invitation and start your application process. (If you do not start in this time you will need to go back and start Stage 1 all over again so it is important to check your account every few days so you do not miss the time frame). Once you have begun the application, you will then be given 20 days to complete it. Again, if you do not complete the application within 20 days you will need to start from the very beginning of Stage 1 which will cost you a lot of time.
Once you have accepted it you will see now that there are 2 applications in your GCKey account. The first one says ‘International Experience Canada’. That was your entry into the pool. Now that you have been invited to submit an application you will work on the second application in your account that says ‘Work Permit’.
Note: If you do NOT have your police report or traffic history check ready within this time frame, we suggest to wait until until just before the 10/20 days is almost up. If you still don’t have it, you can upload the receipt/confirmation of ordering it and you will be given more time.
PART 2: STEP 3
Once you have accepted your invitation, when you log into your CIC account and you are ready, click on the blue link that says ‘Start Application’ in your CIC account as below:
PART 2: STEP 4
You will now come to your application home screen that looks like this:
PART 2: STEP 5
You will now fill in each section until they change from ‘In Progress’ to ‘Complete’. First click on ‘Continue Form’ in the Personal details of applicant section. This will pre-fill some of the details you originally filled in during Stage 1 of the application. Confirm all details are exactly the same. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. But add in anything missing where you need to include your passport details etc. Keep clicking ‘Next’ until you come to the end and then click ‘validate’ and ‘Save and Exit’.
Note: Leave the Unique Client Identifier Section blank.
Note: You can also answer no to Nationality Identity document as you have already entered your passport details. A National Identity Document is what you would use if you don’t have a passport.
*Please note the you MUST only use the passport details that you plan to enter the Country with.
PART 2: STEP 6
This section will now show up ‘Complete’ when you have filled in all the details.
PART 2: STEP 7
Now click on ‘Continue Form’ under contact information and follow exactly the same
steps until this also shows up as complete
Note: Do not put ‘+’ symbol in country code, just the numbers. For example, an Australian cellular number is 61 (not +61) so I would enter 61421679978
PART 2: STEP 8
Next click on ‘Continue Form’ under Work & Education details. Enter all your previous employers. (Keep in mind this is just gathering information. If your exact job role is not listed just pick the closest one – if you cannot find anything that relates to your field it will not effect your visa in any way.)
PART 2: STEP 9
Next click on ‘Continue Form’ Under Application Details. When asked ‘have you ever participated in International Experience Canada before’ answer ‘No. If you have had an IEC visa before 2015 you can select ‘Yes’.
Under the heading ‘Intended work in Canada’, select No to this question. If you answer Yes you will be prompted to provide a Medical Exam which is ONLY required if you hope to work in a childcare role.
NOTE: If you plan to work in a childcare role you will need to answer yes to the below question. This will however require you to complete a Medical Exam that is approx. $600.
For everyone else you must select NO to this question.
PART 2: STEP 10
Click ‘Save and Exit’ so this section also shows up as complete as below:
PART 2: STEP 11
Now Click ‘Continue’. This will bring you to the ‘Document Checklist’ as per below:
PART 2: STEP 12
This is where you will upload all of your documents. Please see the below notes for each document that you will need to upload.
FAMILY INFORMATION FORM IMM5707:
- Download this form and save it by clicking on the document name link. Save this document to your computer desktop (do not just open from the website) and manually open with the new version of adobe. Then fill in the details and re-save to your desktop. You can then upload the file where asked. (Please note: If you are having troubles viewing this form please make sure you have downloaded the latest version of adobe)
- Fill in your details as the applicant plus your Mother and Fathers details.( If you do not know any details of your parents just leave them blank or write unknown)
- You should leave the Children section blank unless you have children.
- You do NOT need to sign this form. You just put in the date next to the signature section and you will electronically sign for the entire application when you submit this.
- Save the document and upload it in the ‘Upload File’ Section.
NOTE: If you are having troubles and cannot download this form you can print it, fill it in with CLEAR HANDWRITING and sign, scan and upload the form. Just make sure you can read the form clearly and this will also be accepted.
CV/RESUME:
This can be very basic and is mostly just to gather information. Please upload a resume that is maximum 2 pages. Make sure this is a PDF document:
PASSPORT / TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
- Here upload a scanned clear image of the photo page of your passport plus any other pages with stamps. Make sure this is a JPEG or PDF format. You can merge them into one document here: https://smallpdf.com/merge-pdf
DIGITAL PHOTO:
- Upload a JPEG image of your face similar to a Passport photo. Click the blue ‘?’ Information button next to digital photo to view the requirements. Please note: The size requirements listed are specific however as long as you take a clear headshot/selfie of your face with no pixelation, shadowing and with a plain background (eg blank white wall) this will be accepted regardless of its size.
POLICE REPORT/S + TRAFFIC HISTORY:
- Upload your Criminal History check/s you gained from the documents stage of this visa guide.
All report needs to be dated within 6 months of submitting your application.
If you are uploading more than 1 police report, or you are also upload the traffic history report you will need to merge ALL of these documents into the one file so you can upload it in the police report section. You can merge documents into one file using this online link: ://www.pdfmerge.com/ - TRAFFIC HISTORY REPORT – Make sure you have read the step above and this is uploaded with your police report as ONE FILE.
PART 2: STEP 13
Once all documents are uploaded your screen will look like this. You can then click ‘Next’.
PART 2: STEP 14
You will then come to this screen where you will electronically sign and submit your application.
PART 2: STEP 15
Once you sign this application you will be prompted to make your payment. This is the full payment for your visa application where you will also pay the $85 biometrics fee that is included in the $338. CAD.
PART 2: STEP 16
You will then receive confirmation that your application has been submitted and paid for.
You are now ready to move onto the Biometrics (Part 3) of the visa process below on the next tab.
Please make sure you continue to follow this visa guide through exactly from start to finish. Remember we are here to help if there is anything you are unsure about please call our offices or email canada@theworkingholidayclub.com
You are nearly there!!! Well done!!!
YOU ARE READY TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TAB
BIOMETRICS: STEP 1
The final stage of the application is submitting your biometrics information in person. Please keep checking your GCKEY account until you receive the below letter (it takes around 72 hours to receive after making your visa payment at the end of Part 2). You have 30 days from receiving this letter to lodge your Biometrics information. You must pre book an appointment, print the below Biometrics Instruction Letter and bring it along with your passport to your appointment. The offices are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Auckland. If you need to submit them overseas you can find the closest office to you by using this link:
Once you select your VAC office to submit your biometrics you will be directed to the VFS Global website to book your Biometrics appointment.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 2
Once on the VFS website click ‘Book Now’ as shown below.
You will then come to a screen that says ‘Schedule an appointment for Biometrics enrolment’.
There are 5 options to schedule your appointment and the easiest is to select Online. Under the online tab click on the ‘Click Here’ hyperlink to book an appointment.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 3
You will then come to the ‘Appointment login page’ and you need to click ‘New User’.
You will then come to the screen shown below. Make sure you write down and save your username and password as you will need this to sign in!
BIOMETRICS: STEP 4
You will then come to the below screen telling you to use the activation email they. have just sent you. Please make sure you check your junk/spam folder as this email can often be directed in there. It can also take up to 15 mins.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 5
You will need to login to the email you provided and you should have a Welcome email from donotreply@vfshelpline.com as shown below. Click ‘Activate Account’ on the email and you will be redirected to the VFS login page. Enter your login details and hit continue.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 6
You will then come to the below page. Hit ‘Schedule an appointment’ and fill in the details below (choose the VAC closet to you) and hit continue. The Appointment Category is Biometric Enrolment. Make sure you tick the accept Terms and Conditions box at the very bottom.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 7
You will then come to the ‘Applicant List’ page and you will see a blue button ‘Add Applicant’. Select this and you will come to the below screen.
It will also ask you for an IRCC Number. This is found on the second page of your Biometrics Instruction Letter at the very bottom. You CANNOT book your biometrics until you have the Biometrics Instruction letter at the top of these instructions.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 8
You will then be emailed a ‘One Time Passport (OTP)’ to your email address that you need to enter in this next screen to continue. Again please make sure you check your junk/spam folder.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 9
Once your OTP is entered you will come to the page below where you can select an available day in green and then a time which suits you and click confirm.
NOTE: Appointments are usually released in 2 week blocks. If you cannot see any appointments available it is usually because they haven’t been released yet. If you are looking for an appointment further in advance you will need to stop here and log back in another week or two to schedule a future appointment.
Once you select your appointment and time, click confirm.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 10
You will then be redirected to a page which confirms your appointment as shown below.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you click on the ‘Appointment Letter’ hyperlink and download your appointment confirmation and consent form. This is also emailed to you with your appointment confirmation and this is the document you need to print and take with you to your appointment.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 11
You will be then be automatically emailed your appointment confirmation and a copy of your Appointment Letter.
You do not need to click to confirm your appointment, you only need to use the reschedule link if you need to change your appointment. Please be sure to use this to reschedule, as it can be a lot harder to book a new appointment if you were a no show instead of rescheduling.
BIOMETRICS: STEP 12
YOUR BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT IS NOW SCHEDULED.
It is VERY important you remember you need the below documents to attend your appointment.
- Valid Passport
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- Appointment Letter / Consent form – (You only need to sign the section that says ‘Applicants wishing to provide biometrics’)
You will be turned away if you do not have these correct documents, and sadly we have had people fly all the way to another state and not be able to submit their biometrics. Make sure you are prepared!
CONGRATULATIONS
You are now done with booking your biometrics which is the last stage of the visa application!!!
Once your Biometrics is submitted and your application is reviewed you will be sent a PDF approval letter into the ‘Messages section’ of your GCKey account under ‘Correspondence Letter’. This is your approval letter to work in Canada and the completion of your visa. This approval letter is also known as a POE (Port of Entry) letter.
Generally this can take up to 8 weeks to receive from the date you submitted the biometrics. Make sure you keep an eye on your GCKey account in case they send you any request for further documents. If you do get a request please reach out to us to help make sure you have the correct document and you resubmit your application correctly.
This POE letter is valid for 12 months and you hand this over with your supporting documents on arrival into Canada. This is when your visa will start. Please make sure you have followed this visa guide through exactly from start to finish.
Remember we are here to help if there is anything you are unsure about please reach out.
PLEASE SEE THE NEXT TAB FOR FAQ’S
I am having issues using the website and logging into my account
Common issues with logging in:
- 403 Error Message
- You keep getting sent back to the ‘English / French’ homepage
- Application timed out
These issues happen to nearly everyone and It can be a total pain in the ass!!! Do not worry you are not the only one! Unless there is a notice on the GCkey homepage about maintenance on the website or the website being down, then the issues is ALWAYS with your browsers and the cache.
Using your phone tends to be the worst for this issue. If you can, try to use a computer.
First we suggest using another browser Eg Firefox, Explorer, Safari, GoogleChrome etc and you should find you get straight in.
Usually it may take more than one go. If you get sent back to the homepage, click on the GCKey link and go back and log in again.
Just keep going back to this link and trying again and you should get in. You may also need to clear the cache of your browser.
If you still cannot get in you will need to clear your browsing cache. For some people, this has to be cleared EVERYTIME before you log in.
If you are unsure how to do this correctly please google eg (How to clear browsing cache on Google Chrome)
If you STILL cannot log in I suggest using an incognito browsing window which is free from any cache issues. Here are the instructions:
Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS = Press Ctrl + Shift + n.
Mac = Press ⌘ + Shift + n.
You should open a new incognito window each time you want to log in.
I cannot open the Family Information Form - IMM5707E
This can be a tricky one and lots of people do have issues trying to open this form from your GCKey account.
You must have the latest version of adobe, then you must download and save the form on your desktop and then manually open from your desktop, not from the link. This video below has a 30 second tutorial on exactly how to do this on a computer.
If you still have trouble with this you can download the below form which should work fine for you.
I can't submit my biometrics within 30 days
It is always best to submit them within the time frame so please try and do everything you can to make this happen.
We understand that travelling interstate is not always the easiest thing for Australians so we understand if you may not be able to make it within 30 days.
In this case please book the next available appointment you are able to attend (even if after the 30 days) and then submit the weblink HERE.
IMPORTANT: When it asks for the type of application, make sure you select ‘International Experience Canada’
Then explain that you have booked a biometrics appointment that is outside of the 30 days. They will usually not respond but this is just to cover yourself and to stop your application from expiring.
You can still book and attend your appointment with the expired letter, so go ahead and submit these as soon as you can.
My Invitation to Apply has Expired
Please do everything you can to submit your application BEFORE the expiry.
If your Invitation does expire you will need to enter back into the pool of applicants and wait for a new Invitation to Apply. You can use the same GCKey account to do this. When you log into your account, under the heading ‘What would you like to do today’ click ‘Apply to Come to Canada’ and continue with the stage 1 instructions to re-enter back into the pool.
Please make sure you keep an eye on your GCKey account and check it regularly so you won’t miss another Invitation to Apply.
My police report hasn't arrived and my Invitation is about to expire
Once you receive your Invitation you have 10 days to accept it, then another 20 days to submit it. Your police report and other documents should arrive by then. If they don’t, you can submit a receipt or confirmation that you have ordered the documents in its place you can submit the application and make your payment.
You will then receive a request down the track in the messages section of your GCKey account to upload the documents and they will give you more time to upload it.
When uploading an extra documents it’s important to make sure you re sign and re submit the application. If you miss this step they will not receive your application.
I received a Message to upload my police report again
If you get a message in your GCKey account after you have submitted and paid for your application ask you to submit the police report again, this is because your police report is NOT correct and they have not accepted it.
Please email us the police report you submitted so we can check it and help to get you back on track.