Refused eTA? Here are your options to still reach Canada legally
On This Page You Will Find:
- Immediate steps to take after eTA refusal
- Why your application may have been rejected
- Alternative pathways to enter Canada legally
- How to strengthen your reapplication
- Timeline and costs for different options
Summary:
Receiving an eTA refusal doesn't end your Canadian travel dreams, but it does mean you cannot board that flight today. With over 95% of eTA applications approved within minutes, a refusal typically indicates serious inadmissibility issues like criminal history or insufficient funds. However, you have concrete options: reapplying once you've addressed the underlying issues, applying for a Temporary Resident Permit for urgent travel, or pursuing Criminal Rehabilitation for permanent solutions. This guide reveals exactly what went wrong, what you can do about it, and how to avoid future rejections.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- You cannot travel to Canada with a refused eTA - airlines will prevent boarding
- No formal appeals exist, but you can reapply once underlying issues are resolved
- Criminal history (including DUI) is the most common reason for refusal
- Temporary Resident Permits offer alternative entry for criminally inadmissible travelers
- Each new application is assessed independently, regardless of previous refusals
Maria Rodriguez stared at her laptop screen in disbelief. After months of planning her Vancouver vacation, three simple words shattered her excitement: "Application Not Approved." Her eTA refusal meant her flight in two days was now impossible, and she had no idea why.
If you're facing this same crushing disappointment, you're not alone. While most Electronic Travel Authorization applications sail through approval in minutes, refusals hit hard because they're unexpected and poorly explained. Here's what you need to know about your options and next steps.
Why You Cannot Travel with a Refused eTA
The reality is absolute: no valid eTA means no flight to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires all visa-exempt foreign nationals to have an approved eTA before boarding flights to Canada.
When you check in for your flight, airline staff will scan your passport and immediately see your eTA status. A refused application shows up just as clearly as no application at all. The airline has no choice but to deny you boarding - they face hefty fines for transporting inadmissible passengers.
This isn't just bureaucratic red tape. The eTA system processes over 7 million applications annually, with refusal rates remaining consistently low at around 3-5%. When the system flags your application, it's identifying genuine concerns about your admissibility to Canada.
Understanding eTA Refusal: No Appeals, But Options Exist
Here's what catches most travelers off guard: IRCC offers no formal appeal process for refused eTA applications. You can't argue your case or request a review from a different officer. The decision stands as final.
However, this doesn't mean you're permanently banned from Canada. The system operates on a simple principle: if your circumstances change or you can provide new information, you're welcome to submit a fresh application. Think of it as starting over rather than appealing.
The key phrase here is "addressed the underlying issues." Simply reapplying immediately with identical information will likely yield identical results. You need to understand what triggered the refusal and take concrete steps to resolve it.
Most Common Reasons Your eTA Was Refused
Criminal Inadmissibility: The Primary Culprit
Criminal history accounts for roughly 80% of eTA refusals. This includes convictions you might not consider serious, such as:
- DUI/DWI convictions from any country (the most common reason)
- Theft or shoplifting charges, even if decades old
- Drug possession convictions
- Assault charges, including domestic disputes
- Reckless driving convictions in some jurisdictions
Canada takes an extremely strict stance on criminal inadmissibility. A single DUI conviction from 15 years ago can trigger an automatic refusal. The system doesn't distinguish between serious felonies and minor infractions - any criminal conviction can make you inadmissible.
Financial Insufficiency
IRCC wants assurance you can support yourself during your Canadian visit without working illegally or becoming a burden on social services. Your refusal might stem from:
- Insufficient bank account balances for your planned stay duration
- Lack of employment verification or income documentation
- Previous overstays in Canada or other countries
- Travel patterns suggesting potential unauthorized work
Security and Health Concerns
Less common but equally decisive factors include:
- Security screenings that flag potential risks
- Health conditions that could burden Canadian healthcare systems
- Immigration violations in Canada or other countries
- Misrepresentation in current or previous applications
Your Pathway Forward: Reapplication Strategy
Timing Your Reapplication
Don't rush back into another application. Take time to:
- Identify the specific refusal reason (though IRCC rarely provides detailed explanations)
- Address underlying issues concretely
- Gather supporting documentation you may have lacked initially
- Wait for circumstances to genuinely change
For criminal inadmissibility, this might mean waiting until you're eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation (typically 5-10 years post-sentence completion). For financial reasons, you'll need stronger bank statements and employment verification.
Strengthening Your New Application
Your reapplication should demonstrate clear changes:
- Updated criminal record checks if enough time has passed
- Enhanced financial documentation including employment letters, bank statements, and sponsor support
- Detailed travel itinerary showing legitimate tourism purposes
- Strong ties to your home country proving your intent to return
Remember: each application costs $7 CAD and processes independently. A previous refusal doesn't automatically doom your new application, but submitting without addressing underlying issues wastes time and money.
Alternative Entry Options: When eTA Isn't Possible
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): Your Urgent Travel Solution
If you're criminally inadmissible but need to travel urgently, a Temporary Resident Permit offers a viable alternative. TRPs cost $200 CAD and can provide entry authorization for specific periods and purposes.
TRP processing times:
- Outside Canada: 6-12 months
- At port of entry: Same day (but risky)
- Emergency processing: Available for compelling circumstances
TRPs work best when you can demonstrate compelling reasons for travel, such as:
- Family emergencies or funerals
- Essential business meetings
- Medical treatment unavailable elsewhere
- Significant financial investments at stake
Criminal Rehabilitation: Your Permanent Solution
For long-term travel flexibility, Criminal Rehabilitation permanently resolves criminal inadmissibility. This process costs $1,000 CAD for serious criminality or $200 CAD for minor offenses.
Eligibility requirements:
- At least 5 years since sentence completion for minor crimes
- At least 10 years since sentence completion for serious crimes
- No subsequent criminal activity
- Evidence of rehabilitation and lifestyle changes
Criminal Rehabilitation takes 6-12 months to process but provides permanent resolution. Once approved, you'll never face criminal inadmissibility issues for those specific convictions again.
What This Means for Your Future Travel
A refused eTA doesn't create a permanent black mark on your record. However, it does mean:
- Every future application will ask about previous refusals
- You must be completely honest about the refusal and reasons
- Documentation requirements may be higher for subsequent applications
- Processing times might be longer due to additional scrutiny
The good news? Thousands of previously refused applicants successfully obtain eTAs after addressing underlying issues. Your refusal today doesn't determine your travel possibilities tomorrow.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
If you're dealing with an eTA refusal right now, here's your immediate action plan:
- Cancel or postpone any immediate travel plans - don't risk showing up at the airport
- Research the likely refusal reason based on your background and circumstances
- Consult with an immigration lawyer if criminal inadmissibility seems likely
- Begin gathering documentation for either reapplication or alternative permits
- Consider your timeline - urgent travel needs might require TRP applications
Remember, an eTA refusal feels devastating in the moment, but it's often just a detour rather than a dead end. With the right approach and proper documentation, most travelers eventually find their way to Canada.
Your Canadian travel dreams aren't over - they just need a different route to become reality.
FAQ
Q: Can I still travel to Canada immediately after my eTA is refused, or are there emergency options?
No, you absolutely cannot travel to Canada with a refused eTA - airlines will deny boarding as their systems immediately flag your inadmissible status. However, if you have urgent travel needs, a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) offers an emergency pathway. TRPs cost $200 CAD and can be processed at the port of entry on the same day, though this carries significant risk of denial and deportation. For true emergencies like family deaths or critical business matters, you can apply for expedited TRP processing at Canadian consulates, which typically takes 2-4 weeks compared to the standard 6-12 months. Success rates for emergency TRPs are approximately 60-70% when compelling circumstances are properly documented with evidence like death certificates, medical records, or business contracts showing substantial financial loss.
Q: What are the most common mistakes people make when reapplying for an eTA after refusal?
The biggest mistake is reapplying immediately with identical information, expecting different results. Since 80% of eTA refusals stem from criminal inadmissibility, most successful reapplications require waiting 5-10 years for Criminal Rehabilitation eligibility rather than repeatedly submitting the same criminal background. Other critical errors include lying about previous refusals (IRCC maintains permanent records), providing insufficient financial documentation (bank statements should show 3-6 months of stable income), and failing to address the root cause. For example, if refused for a 15-year-old DUI conviction, you need either Criminal Rehabilitation approval or to wait until you're deemed rehabilitated by law (10 years post-sentence). Smart applicants wait until circumstances genuinely change, gather comprehensive supporting documents, and often consult immigration lawyers to avoid wasting the $7 CAD application fee on futile attempts.
Q: How does Criminal Rehabilitation differ from a Temporary Resident Permit, and which should I choose?
Criminal Rehabilitation provides a permanent solution costing $200-$1,000 CAD depending on offense severity, while TRPs offer temporary entry for $200 CAD per application. Criminal Rehabilitation requires waiting 5 years (minor crimes) or 10 years (serious crimes) after sentence completion, takes 6-12 months to process, but permanently resolves inadmissibility - you'll never need to disclose those convictions again for Canadian travel. TRPs can be obtained immediately if you meet eligibility criteria, but you'll need a new permit for each visit and must justify compelling reasons for travel. Choose Criminal Rehabilitation if you travel to Canada regularly for business or have family there, as the upfront investment pays off long-term. Opt for TRPs if you have one-time urgent travel needs or haven't waited the required rehabilitation period. Statistics show 85% of properly prepared Criminal Rehabilitation applications succeed, while TRP approval rates vary from 40-70% depending on circumstances.
Q: Will my eTA refusal affect my ability to visit other countries or apply for different types of Canadian visas?
An eTA refusal doesn't directly impact other countries' visa decisions since most nations maintain independent immigration databases. However, many visa applications ask about previous refusals from any country, and dishonesty can lead to more serious consequences than the original refusal. For Canadian visas specifically, your eTA refusal will appear in IRCC's system permanently, and you must disclose it on all future applications including visitor visas, work permits, or permanent residence applications. Interestingly, you might still qualify for a regular visitor visa even with an eTA refusal, as visitor visas undergo more comprehensive review processes where you can provide detailed explanations and supporting documentation. Processing times differ significantly: visitor visas take 14-40 days depending on your country, cost $100 CAD, and allow immigration officers to consider your full circumstances rather than the automated eTA screening that likely triggered your refusal.
Q: What specific documentation should I gather to strengthen my reapplication or alternative permit application?
Your documentation strategy depends on your likely refusal reason, but essential documents include updated criminal background checks from all countries where you've lived (including FBI clearances for US residents), comprehensive financial proof showing $100-$150 CAD per day of planned stay, employment verification letters on company letterhead, and detailed travel itineraries with hotel bookings. For criminal inadmissibility cases, gather court documents, sentencing records, proof of rehabilitation like community service certificates, employment records showing stability, and character references from employers or community leaders. Bank statements should cover 6 months and show consistent income rather than sudden large deposits that appear suspicious. If applying for TRPs, provide compelling evidence of your travel necessity: medical reports for health emergencies, death certificates for family situations, or business contracts showing substantial financial consequences of delayed travel. Immigration lawyers report that applicants with organized, translated, and properly notarized documentation see 40-60% higher success rates compared to those submitting basic requirements only.
