Easy Step by Step Guide in Creating a NEW Canada GCKey Account

If you're looking to travel to Canada anytime soon temporarily or try your luck with the Express Entry pathway and you want to submit an application without any help from a travel agency, you will first need to create a GCKey account.

You can use a GCKey account for the following purposes:

• Apply to visit Canada temporarily for visitor (tourism/personal holiday), work or study. You can also lodge Express Entry and International Experience Canada applications here.
• Apply for temporary benefits available for refugees.
• Apply for search or proof of citizenship.
• Apply to change or transfer schools for those who have valid student permits.

You will also be able to receive and view messages of your online application as well as link paper-processed applications using this portal.

Creating a GCKey is a very simple and straightforward process. This will only require your basic personal info and an active email address. The following steps are for NEW GCKey accounts.

Section A - Initial Account Creation

Step 1. Go to Canada's CIC page (https://www.cic.gc.ca/) and choose a preferred language (English or French). This will then open up the Immigration and Citizenship page.

Step 2.  Scroll down a bit and look for Sign in or create an IRCC secure account. This is usually on the right handside if you are using a computer browser.

Step 3. Choose Option 1: Sign in With GCKey.

Step 4. On the right side where it says Simple Secure Access, click Sign Up.  

Step 5. READ and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Step 6. Create a username.

Step 7. Create a strong password. Do not share this password with anyone else for your security.

Step 8. Set up security questions. As of the writing of this post, the three questions are memorable person, memorable date and one selection from pre-made questions. 

IMPORTANT: This is essential in case you forget your password. Make sure to list down ALL of your questions and answers in a place where you are 100% sure you will never forget. Make a backup copy is necessary.

Step 9. Set up your recovery email.  You will need to confirm your recovery email using a code that CIC will send to that email.

Step 10. Enter your recovery email code.

Step 11. Continue to your GCKey account.

Section B - More personal information

Step 1. Sign in to your GCKey account again here. See steps 1-3 on section A.

Step 2. On your first sign in, you will be led to a welcome page. Click Continue.

Step 3.  READ and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Step 4.  Enter the following details: Given/First Name, Last Name, Email Address and Preferred Language (English/French).

Step 5. Create three security questions. Unlike in section A, you will be the ones to create these questions from scratch and write your own answers. 

IMPORTANT: These questions are asked every single time you log-in. Make a separate copy of these questions.

 Step 6. After completing the security questions, your GCKey account will open.

I know this is just the very tip of the iceberg for your online application, but I hope this somehow helps clear a part of the application for you.

I personally think that getting comfortable creating your GCKey account yourself will help give you the confidence boost in formally lodging your application online.

Good luck and safe travels!