Canadian eTA refunds denied - what travelers need to know
On This Page You Will Find:
- The hard truth about eTA refund policies when applications are denied
- Exact steps to take after your application gets refused
- Hidden costs and scams that drain your wallet beyond the $7 fee
- Alternative options when appeals aren't available
- Smart strategies to avoid common refusal reasons that waste your money
Summary:
If your Canadian eTA application gets refused, you're out of luck – and out of money. The Canadian government's strict no-refund policy means your $7 application fee disappears forever, whether you're approved or denied. With thousands of applications refused monthly due to criminal records, insufficient funds, or security concerns, many travelers find themselves paying multiple times just to visit Canada. This guide reveals what happens after refusal, why appeals rarely work, and how to avoid costly mistakes that could ban you from reapplying altogether.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- All eTA application fees are 100% non-refundable, even when refused
- No formal appeal process exists – you must reapply with new evidence
- Refused applicants cannot board flights to Canada until approved
- Criminal convictions and DUI charges are leading refusal reasons
- Third-party websites charging more than $7 are potential scams
Maria Santos stared at her computer screen in disbelief. After paying $47 to what she thought was the official Canadian government website, her eTA application had been refused – and now she discovered she wouldn't see a penny back. Worse yet, she'd paid seven times the actual fee to a third-party scammer.
If you've received that dreaded refusal email, you're probably wondering the same thing Maria was: "Can I get my money back?" The answer will likely frustrate you, but understanding Canada's eTA refund policy could save you from making costly mistakes in the future.
The Brutal Truth About eTA Refunds
Here's what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) won't sugarcoat: every single eTA application fee is non-refundable. It doesn't matter if you're approved, refused, or if the system crashes during your application – that money is gone forever.
This policy applies to 100% of eTA applications, with no exceptions. Whether you paid the official $7 CAD fee or fell victim to a third-party website charging $50 or more, the Canadian government only recognizes the official fee and won't refund anything.
Think of it like buying a lottery ticket. Once you submit your application and payment, you've essentially purchased a chance at approval – not a guarantee. The processing fee covers the cost of reviewing your application, conducting security checks, and making a decision, regardless of the outcome.
What Actually Happens After Your eTA Gets Refused
The moment your application is refused, several things happen automatically that you need to understand:
You're immediately flagged in the system. Your refusal creates a permanent record that will appear every time you apply for any Canadian travel document or visa in the future. This isn't necessarily bad, but it means you'll need to address the refusal reason in all future applications.
You cannot board any flight to Canada. Airlines have access to the eTA database and will prevent you from boarding if you don't have valid authorization. This happens at your departure airport, potentially ruining your entire trip and costing you thousands in non-refundable bookings.
You must wait before reapplying. While there's no official waiting period, IRCC strongly recommends you only reapply once you've substantially addressed the reason for refusal. Submitting multiple applications with the same information wastes money and could be seen as misrepresentation.
Your personal information remains in the system. All the details you provided – including biometric data if submitted – stay in Canadian immigration databases indefinitely, even after refusal.
Why Appeals Almost Never Work (And What to Do Instead)
Here's something that catches many refused applicants off guard: Canada doesn't offer a formal appeal process for eTA refusals. Unlike visa applications where you might have recourse, eTA decisions are considered final at the administrative level.
Your only official option is asking the Federal Court of Canada to conduct a judicial review – but this requires hiring a lawyer and could cost thousands of dollars for a $7 application. Most immigration lawyers will tell you it's not worth pursuing unless you have compelling evidence of a processing error.
Instead of appeals, IRCC expects you to reapply with new information or evidence that addresses the refusal reason. This means paying another $7 fee (or more if you use third-party sites) and going through the entire process again.
Smart reapplication strategy: Before paying for a new application, carefully analyze your refusal letter. If it mentions criminal inadmissibility, you might need to apply for criminal rehabilitation first – a separate process that can take over a year. If it's about insufficient funds, gather stronger financial documentation before reapplying.
The Top Refusal Reasons That Cost Travelers Money
Understanding why eTAs get refused can help you avoid wasting money on doomed applications. Here are the most common reasons IRCC refuses applications:
Criminal convictions top the list, including seemingly minor offenses like DUI charges from decades ago. Canada has some of the world's strictest entry requirements for people with criminal records. Even if charges were dropped or you completed community service, you might still be inadmissible.
Insufficient financial support catches many travelers by surprise. IRCC wants proof you can afford your trip without working illegally in Canada. If you can't demonstrate adequate funds for your planned stay, expect a refusal.
Security and health concerns encompass everything from past immigration violations to associations with organizations Canada considers problematic. These refusals are often vague, making them difficult to address in reapplications.
Previous immigration violations in Canada or other countries can trigger automatic refusals. This includes overstaying previous visits, working without authorization, or providing false information on past applications.
Ties to home country issues arise when IRCC suspects you might not return home after your visit. This is more common for applicants from certain countries or those with unusual travel patterns.
Protecting Yourself from Costly eTA Scams
Maria's $47 payment to a fake government website isn't unusual. Hundreds of third-party sites prey on confused travelers, charging anywhere from $20 to $200 for eTA applications that should cost $7.
Red flags to watch for:
- Any website asking for more than $7 CAD
- Sites with URLs that aren't canada.ca
- Promises of "guaranteed approval" or "expedited processing"
- Requests for unnecessary documents like photos or extensive travel history
- Pop-up ads or sponsored search results claiming to be official
The official eTA application is only available through the Government of Canada website. Any other site is either a scam or a "service provider" that simply submits your application for you while keeping most of your payment as profit.
If you've already paid a third-party site, you might be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company, especially if the site misrepresented itself as official. However, don't expect the Canadian government to refund fees paid to scammers.
When Refusal Might Actually Save You Money
While losing your application fee stings, refusal sometimes prevents much larger financial losses. Consider what happens if you somehow make it to Canada without proper authorization:
You'll be detained at the border, potentially for hours or days while officials decide your fate. You'll likely be put on the next flight home at your expense – often costing $1,000 or more for last-minute international tickets. You might also receive a removal order that complicates all future travel to Canada.
Your hotel bookings, tour reservations, and other trip expenses become worthless. Travel insurance rarely covers trips cancelled due to immigration refusals, especially if you knew about potential issues beforehand.
Most seriously, attempting to enter Canada after an eTA refusal could result in a formal exclusion order, banning you from the country for one to five years depending on circumstances.
Smart Next Steps After Refusal
If your eTA has been refused, resist the urge to immediately reapply. Instead, take these strategic steps:
Analyze your refusal letter thoroughly. Every word matters, and the specific language used often hints at what evidence might overcome the refusal. If the letter mentions "criminality," you'll need to address that specifically. If it says "purpose of visit," focus on demonstrating stronger ties to your home country.
Gather new evidence before reapplying. Simply resubmitting the same information wastes money and time. If financial support was the issue, obtain stronger bank statements or sponsorship letters. For criminal issues, research whether you need rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit instead of an eTA.
Consider alternative travel documents. Depending on your situation, a visitor visa might be more appropriate than an eTA. While more expensive and time-consuming, visitor visas allow you to provide more detailed explanations and supporting documents.
Consult an immigration lawyer for complex cases. If your refusal involves criminal inadmissibility, security concerns, or previous immigration violations, professional advice could save you from repeated refusals and wasted fees.
The Real Cost of Multiple Refusals
While $7 per application might seem manageable, refused applicants often find themselves in expensive cycles of reapplication. Some travelers pay the fee five or six times before getting approved – or giving up entirely.
More concerning is how multiple refusals look to immigration officers. Each refusal creates a paper trail suggesting you might not be a suitable visitor to Canada. Officers reviewing future applications (including visa applications for other countries) will see this history and might question your judgment or eligibility.
The financial and reputational costs of repeated refusals often exceed the cost of getting professional help upfront. If you're unsure about your eligibility, consulting an immigration professional before your first application could save hundreds of dollars and preserve your immigration record.
Conclusion
Canada's no-refund policy for eTA applications is non-negotiable – refused applicants lose their money permanently, with no appeals process and no exceptions. While this might seem harsh, understanding the policy helps you make smarter decisions about when and how to apply.
If you've been refused, don't panic and don't immediately reapply. Take time to understand why you were refused, gather appropriate evidence, and consider whether an eTA is actually the right travel document for your situation. Sometimes paying more for a visitor visa upfront costs less than multiple eTA refusals and provides a better chance of approval.
Most importantly, only use the official Government of Canada website for your application. Paying extra to third-party sites doesn't improve your chances and just adds unnecessary costs to an already expensive process.
FAQ
Q: Can I get a refund if my Canadian eTA application is refused?
No, you cannot get a refund if your eTA application is refused. The Canadian government maintains a strict 100% non-refundable policy for all eTA applications, regardless of the outcome. This means whether your application is approved, refused, or even if technical issues occur during processing, the $7 CAD fee is permanently lost. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) treats the application fee as payment for processing services, not as a guarantee of approval. This policy has no exceptions and applies to every single eTA application submitted. Even if you paid inflated fees to third-party websites (sometimes $50+ for a service that should cost $7), the Canadian government only recognizes the official fee and provides no refunds for amounts paid to unauthorized service providers.
Q: What happens to my travel plans if my eTA gets refused?
When your eTA is refused, you're immediately blocked from boarding any flight to Canada until you obtain proper authorization. Airlines have real-time access to the eTA database and will prevent you from checking in or boarding at your departure airport. This can result in significant financial losses beyond the $7 application fee, including non-refundable hotel bookings, tour reservations, and connecting flights. Your refusal creates a permanent record in Canadian immigration systems that appears on all future applications. Travel insurance typically doesn't cover trip cancellations due to immigration refusals, especially if you were aware of potential eligibility issues beforehand. You must either successfully reapply for an eTA with new supporting evidence or apply for a visitor visa before making any new travel arrangements to Canada.
Q: Is there an appeal process for refused eTA applications?
Canada does not offer a formal appeal process for eTA refusals. Unlike other immigration applications, eTA decisions are considered administratively final. Your only legal recourse is requesting a judicial review from the Federal Court of Canada, but this requires hiring a lawyer and costs thousands of dollars – making it financially impractical for a $7 application. Most immigration lawyers advise against pursuing judicial review unless there's clear evidence of a processing error. Instead, IRCC expects refused applicants to reapply with new information or evidence that addresses the specific refusal reason. This means paying another $7 fee and going through the entire process again. Before reapplying, you should carefully analyze your refusal letter and gather substantial new evidence, as submitting the same information multiple times wastes money and could be viewed as misrepresentation.
Q: What are the most common reasons eTAs get refused, and how can I avoid them?
The top eTA refusal reasons include criminal convictions (including DUI charges, even from decades ago), insufficient financial support, security concerns, previous immigration violations, and weak ties to your home country. Criminal inadmissibility is the leading cause, as Canada has strict entry requirements for anyone with a criminal record – even if charges were dropped or you completed community service. Financial insufficiency occurs when you can't demonstrate adequate funds for your planned stay without working illegally in Canada. To avoid these costly refusals, honestly assess your criminal history before applying and consider whether you need criminal rehabilitation first. Gather strong financial documentation showing sufficient funds for your entire trip. Be truthful about all previous immigration violations in any country, and demonstrate strong ties to your home country through employment, property ownership, or family connections that prove you'll return home.
Q: How can I avoid paying inflated fees to fake eTA websites?
Only apply through the official Government of Canada website (canada.ca) where eTAs cost exactly $7 CAD. Hundreds of third-party sites charge $20-$200 for the same application, keeping most of your payment as profit while providing no additional value. Red flags include any site charging more than $7, URLs that aren't canada.ca, promises of "guaranteed approval," requests for unnecessary documents like photos, and pop-up ads claiming to be official government sites. These scammers often appear at the top of search results through paid advertising, making them seem legitimate. If you've already paid a fraudulent site, dispute the charge with your credit card company immediately, especially if the site misrepresented itself as official. However, don't expect the Canadian government to refund fees paid to unauthorized third parties – they only recognize the official $7 fee paid through their secure platform.
Q: Should I immediately reapply after my eTA is refused?
No, you should not immediately reapply after an eTA refusal. Rushing to resubmit the same information wastes money and could be viewed negatively by immigration officers reviewing your case. Instead, take time to thoroughly analyze your refusal letter – every word provides clues about what evidence might overcome the refusal. If criminality was mentioned, research whether you need criminal rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit before reapplying. For financial insufficiency, gather stronger bank statements or sponsorship letters. Consider whether a visitor visa might be more appropriate than an eTA, as it allows you to provide detailed explanations and extensive supporting documents. For complex cases involving criminal records, security concerns, or previous immigration violations, consulting an immigration lawyer before reapplying often saves money in the long run by preventing multiple costly refusals that damage your immigration record permanently.
Q: What are the long-term consequences of multiple eTA refusals?
Multiple eTA refusals create a permanent negative pattern in your Canadian immigration record that affects all future applications, including visitor visas and other travel documents. Each refusal costs $7, but some travelers pay this fee five or six times before getting approved, turning a simple process into an expensive ordeal. More seriously, repeated refusals suggest to immigration officers that you may not be a suitable visitor to Canada, potentially affecting your eligibility for other countries' visas as well. Immigration officers reviewing future applications will see this refusal history and may question your judgment or truthfulness. The cumulative financial and reputational costs often exceed the price of professional immigration advice upfront. If you're unsure about your eligibility due to criminal history, previous immigration issues, or complex circumstances, consulting an immigration professional before your first application typically costs less than multiple refusals and helps preserve your clean immigration record for future travel opportunities.
